ANSWERS BACK: Q&A with 'Grow your own Drugs' presenter James Wong

[RachelMumsnet]

This week we're joined for a Q&A by James Wong who is working with Ecover, sponsor's of this year's RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show. James Wong is an ethnobotanist studying the relationships between people and plants and he has presented the award-winning BBC TV series 'Grow Your Own Drugs' which centred around creating plant-based remedies for everyday ailments, as well as appearing on BBC's Countryfile.

We're inviting mumsnetters to tap into James' passion and botanical expertise, and send over questions about plants and gardening. Anyone who sends in a question will be entered into a draw to win a pair of tickets to the RHS Hampton Court Palace Show. Closing date for questions is end of day on Wednesday 7th June and we'll be posting his answers up by 20th June.

Woooo! Thanks MNHQ.

Hello James, here's my question-

I have limited space left in my garden. What are your top choices for plants that are useful, look beautiful and don't get too huge? If I can eat it too then that's a bonus. Thank you!

Hello James.

Thanks to the generosity of another MN gardener, I am growing oca for the first time this year. What other food crops would you recommend, that are widely grown in other countries but less well-known in the UK and would be easy to grow here?

Hi James,

We have rosehip growing in our garden (I think). How easy is it to make rosehip syrup and does it have worthwhile health benefits. Ditto elderberry syrup - can I make my own and will it be as good as a commercial one such as Sambucol?

Thanks!

Ooh, I have 2 questions if you don't mind;

1. Are there any home grrown / natural remedies for a teething baby?

1. I come from a beekeeping family and want to make my own beeswax / honey soaps, creams and other cosmetics from the 'free' ingredients at my disposal. The problem is, that every recipe seems to call for me to buy other ingredients (i.e. lye etc) and I'd prefer to make it as simple and costless as possible.

Thanks in advance.

My questions are that I have been given a melaleuca (sp.)? T tree it's about a foot high in a small pot I'm going to repot it. I have it on a Sth facing terrace in mid S.W. France.

1. Which would be the correct potting medium? I know it needs to be taken in in the winter will it grow fast?

1. Does it need feeding (i give my house plants leftover coffee and teas mixed with rain water and never have had a failure d'you reckon it'll be happy with that?

Thank you very much

I want to grow veg in two raised beds with herbs alongside. Are there any good herbs to grow to act as disease and pest deterrents?

When I plant my budgie seed how do I tell which of the resulting plants have mood altering properties?

Ooh, other than what's your favourite biscuit ...

What's behind the cabbage leaves reducing-swelling thing and does it really work? We've just got the Grow Your Own Drugs book and it's in there, plus I've heard it loads for sore breasts (just pop a leaf in each bra cup type advice).

Dear James,
So happy to have the opportunity to ask!!
Like many gardeners I have rosemary, lavender, thyme, sage and mint in my garden. I love your idea of growing healing plants.

I would like your advice as to whether you think a plant such as aloe vera would be hardy in the open air in the South of England? If not, do you know any other such versatile healing plant?
Also please could you advise a hardy plant to grow thats good to make face packs with??

I would also love to know about the cabbage leaves/sore breasts thing please!

I have a question.

When I grow chillies the hotness of two chillis from the same plant can be very variable.

If you are growing plants with active ingredients that have medical effects, how do you ensure a consistent dose?

my question is: how to contain 'take-over' plants that have already overtaken the garden...
-mint (5 different varieties)

• woodruff

they are everywhere and in the lawn (smells lovely when cutting the grass...)

What a terrible headline !!

At least distinguish between medicines (which have been extensively tested and proven to work) Drugs, which can include all sorts of things, some good, some bad and herbal remedies, most of which are not tested and which might but might not work.

Have nothing against herbal remidies BTW as many modern medicines e.g. asprin have their roots there. Is he going to give us tips on growing cannabis, now that has been tested and provend to work in some neuropathic pain conditions??

If you read the previous posts, Elastamum, hou will see several, ahem, pertinent questions.

elastamum His T.V. programme had this stupid title (I would guess dreamed up by some ridiculous editor who reckoned no one would watch if it was called something about herbal meds.) BTW here's not the place but " proven to work" is not nec. the case IMHO; on rats yes.

Of course he's not going to give us cannabis growing advice. MNHQ are saving those questions for when they launch the new section, CrimsNet.

EauRouge

I had great success using pure aloe vera which prevented the breakdown of my skin during radiotherapy, much to the medicos surprise - wonderful stuff.

Any suggestions for plants/herbs that we could grow to benefit me to help prevent a recurrence of cancer? I'm always on the look out for more superfoods that will help my body keep healthy.

Disclaimer: I would always have conventional cancer treatment - eating healthily is simply an empowering added bonus.

The online dictionary defines a drug as something that has a physiological effect on the body when ingested - no mention there of randomised trials or the like.

My recollection of the tv series (and I think a previous poster is right about how it got its daft name) is that it was all about making your own toothpaste. I don't for a moment believe that James is going to tell anyone how to grow their own spliff, but I thought pretending that he might was a good joke.

Hello
We have just moved into a rented house and for the first time ever we have a bit of outdoor space. We'd love to grow something, but every plant we've ever tried to look after indoors has died. What can we grow in a pot outside that's pretty much self-caring and toddler friendly? Something edible would be a bonus.
Thank you

There is a big difference between drugs - a term I dont much like - and registered medicines, which are tested on usually about 3000 - 5000 patients in phase 3 to determine that they work and the risk benefit is worth it - note that I didnt say safe and that they have no side effects.

I'm quite a fan of natural remedies and optimal nutrition, there has been some published evidence that you can extend survival in advance cancer by good nutrition and palliative care about as much as you can by some of these late stage cancer drugs. BUT unfortunately no one is much interested in doing extensive trials work in palliative care.

saiforth I don't want to hi jack this thread but if you look at the Blood Type way of eating by Dr Peter D'Adamo it may well help you stay healthy. You can get books, apps, it's on FB etc. Good luck

James, hi and welcome!

A sort of bibulous question from me... we make mint tea the Moroccan way with green tea, mint leaves and sugar, and we freeze borage flowers in ice cube trays for Pimms, and I did blackberry brandy last autumn. YUM!

Am now (not yet, but perhaps soon) thinking of having another sprog and need non-alc/caff drinks options because of the pregnancy/breastfeeding 'rules'. But don't want to lose out on tastiness and interest. Have you any ideas for non-alcoholic, non-caffeinated hot or cold drinks from easily grown (and fast to re-grow) plants? I very quickly reach saturation point of lemonade and decaff tea. If your recommended tasty drinks also used ingredients with known beneficial properties (e.g. fenugreek for lactating) that would be ace.

Also, what's the difference between a tea and a tisane?

thanks