Radio Botanical: Recent Episodes
The Global Wellness Lab
Join siblings Miranda and Lucas Brist for irreverent but loving explorations of the history, geography, indigenous knowledge, and current pharmacological research on medicinal plants from around the world. Bonus: we'll also discuss how you can harness the power of plant medicines in your own life. Radio Botanical is a Global Wellness Lab Project: https://www.globalwellnesslab.org/ All content on Radio Botanical is for education purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. We do not diagnose or treat disease. Always consult your physician before beginning any new health strategy.
The Noni fruit may have originated in Southern Asia, but when Polynesian navigators brought it to Hawaii about 2000 years ago, they adopted it as both a medicine and a complex cultural icon.
Today we are discussing Morinda Citrifolia, or Noni, a plant in the coffee family (Rubiaceae). It's also known as Beach Mulberry, Vomit Fruit, and Cheese Fruit. Is it a mulberry? Is it a cheese? Will it make you sick? Well, if you disguise the taste in a quality botanical formula or learn to love the juice (ask your local Hawaiian kuku wahine, or grandmother, to tell you how to make this happen), you may find yourself healthier than you've ever been.
Tune in to find out:
- What is a "canoe plant" and why was Noni perfect for the job?
- How is Noni traditionally used by indigenous Hawaiians?
- How could Noni compounds possibly be an antimicrobial, antiviral, anti-tumor, analgesic, hypotensive, anti-inflammatory, and anxiolytic all at the same time?
- Why is Noni grown at Hindu temples in India?
- Is "iridoid" just another word for "annoying" and if not, WHAT IS IT?
Plus, find out what we know about Noni fruit (Morinda citrifolia) benefits from the latest and greatest scientific research studies!
Warning, we also sing. Briefly. We apologize.
Check out the Global Wellness Lab blog post for links to the many resources and research studies we discussed! https://www.globalwellnesslab.org/radio-botanical-ep-4-noni-fruit
BTW, Noni is a key ingredient in both Paracleanse andB-Cleanse, two of the most important botanical formulas in our Gut Wellness Program. You (or your practitioner) can purchase Paracleanse here and B-Cleansehere. Miranda also mentioned Dentalcidin broad spectrum botanical toothpaste--which contains Noni as one of the primary ingredients. It "can assist in removing biofilms and plaque, and is an excellent way to promote and maintain healthy teeth and gums." Miranda uses it obsessively. Remember, when you purchase through our affiliate links, you are supporting the educational mission of the Global Wellness Lab (and taking advantage of years of our personal experience with specific formulas and nutraceutical companies).
Clarification: The Yam (Dioscorea spp.) is native to several continents, including Africa. However, most Americans have never eaten true yam in the U.S. Generally what we label "yam" is actually a Latin American sweet potato.
Note: All content on Radio Botanical is for education purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. We do not diagnose or treat disease. Consult your practitioner before starting a new dietary supplement or botanical wellness strategy.
The Prickly Pear or Nopal (any cactus in the Opuntia family) is known for its endless practical uses in medicine, farming, cooking, clothing, art, and even war. Today we're talking about the most famous of all the Prickly Pears species: Opuntia ficus indica. Recently, researchers have identified many potential benefits of the compounds in the Prickly Pear. Its phytochemicals have demonstrated significant anti-diabetic, antimicrobial, and cardioprotective effects.
Stick with us, and you'll find out:
- Why you should bring Prickly Pear to your battle siege fortress
- How the founding of the Mexico City (the capital of the Aztec Empire) was dependent on a Prickly Pear
- Why some South Africans think the Prickly Pear is a native African plant
- How Prickly Pear cacti paddles became a food staple of long ocean voyages
- How the Prickly Pear in influenced the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V
- What animals compulsively eat Prickly Pear fruit until they die
- Why the infamous "redcoats" (British troops in the U.S. Revolutionary War and Napoleonic wars) wouldn't have their name without the Prickly Pear
- How and what we know about the benefits of Prickly Pear from current scientific research
- Plus, why Prickly Pear might be the crop that saves the world in future droughts.
Check out the Global Wellness Lab blog post for links to the many resources and research studies we discussed! https://www.globalwellnesslab.org/radio-botanical-ep-3-prickly-pear-cactus
Nopal is one of the most important ingredients in Paracleanse - a key botanical formula in our Gut Wellness Program. You (or your practitioner) can purchase Paracleanse here and Nopal here. Remember, when you purchase through our affiliate links, you are supporting the educational mission of the Global Wellness Lab (and taking advantage of years of our personal experience with specific formulas and nutraceutical companies).
Note: All content on Radio Botanical is for education purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. We do not diagnose or treat disease.
Mastic gum has been prescribed in medical texts for at least 2000 years. In the 21st century it's been designated as a natural remedy by the European Medicines Agency and a protected European heritage product on the Greek island of Chios. In the science world it's been studied extensively as a gastroprotective and an antimicrobial product- more specifically as an anti-H. Pylori agent. Also, FYI, it's technically a resin from the Pistacia Lentiscus tree - not a gum or sap. In this episode, we talk about:
- Why wars were (sort of) fought and lost over Mastic Gum
- How a medieval fortress city preserved the traditional production of the Chios Mastic Gum cultivar
- Why Turkish sultans were obsessed with Mastic Gum
- How Mastic Gum is related to Pistachio nuts
- Why resins are different than gums and saps and why that matters in a medicine
- What the heck are plant secondary compounds and secondary metabolites?
- Why the smell of pine trees may be the source of Mastic Gum's benefits (hint: α-pinene)
- How and what we know about Mastic Gum benefits from current scientific research studies
- And who is the mysterious Lucas and why is he even bothering with botanicals?
How can you harness the benefits of Mastic Gum? Mastic Gum is one of the most powerful ingredients used in Pyloristat, the number one botanical formula in our Stomach Wellness Program. If you are dealing with H. Pylori and/or gastric complaints, you and your practitioner can check out our program handbook hereand purchase Pyloristat here! If any of the other potential benefits of Mastic Gum seem relevant to you, you can also purchase pure Chios Mastic Gum here.
Mastic gum has been prescribed in medical texts for at least 2000 years. In the 21st century it's been designated as a natural remedy by the European Medicines Agency and a protected European heritage product on the Greek island of Chios. In the science world it's been studied extensively as a gastroprotective and an antimicrobial product- more specifically as an anti-H. Pylori agent. Also, FYI, it's technically a resin from the Pistacia Lentiscus tree - not a gum or sap. In this episode, we talk about:
- Why wars were (sort of) fought and lost over Mastic Gum
- How a medieval fortress city preserved the traditional production of the Chios Mastic Gum cultivar
- Why Turkish sultans were obsessed with Mastic Gum
- How Mastic Gum is related to Pistachio nuts
- Why resins are different than gums and saps and why that matters in a medicine
- What the heck are plant secondary compounds and secondary metabolites?
- Why the smell of pine trees may be the source of Mastic Gum's benefits (hint: α-pinene)
- How and what we know about Mastic Gum benefits from current scientific research studies
- And who is the mysterious Lucas and why is he even bothering with botanicals?
How can you harness the benefits of Mastic Gum? Mastic Gum is one of the most powerful ingredients used in Pyloristat, the number one botanical formula in our Stomach Wellness Program. If you are dealing with H. Pylori and/or gastric complaints, you and your practitioner can check out our program handbook hereand purchase Pyloristat here! If any of the other potential benefits of Mastic Gum seem relevant to you, you can also purchase pure Chios Mastic Gum here.