Backyard Medicine

All Episodes 2009 - 2010

  • Ended
  • 2009-03-02T00:00:00Z
  • 30m
  • 6h (12 episodes)
  • Documentary
The series features James Wong, an ethno-botanist creating an informative guide to plants and how their beneficial properties can help with everyday ailments Originally broadcast as "Grow Your Own Drugs", the series has been renamed to Backyard Medicine for broadcast in Asia to circumvent local censors against the title of the show.

12 episodes

Series Premiere

2009-03-02T00:00:00Z

1x01 Fruit

Series Premiere

1x01 Fruit

  • 2009-03-02T00:00:00Z30m

Find out how to use figs to relieve constipation and hops for a good night's sleep, how to make a soothing face mask from kiwis and papayas, and how to cook an immunity-boosting soup.

2009-03-09T00:00:00Z

1x02 Flowers

1x02 Flowers

  • 2009-03-09T00:00:00Z30m

Find out how to use violas to make a cream for eczema; how a gel for acne can be made with marigold flowers; how to make elderflower lozenges, and how to make a fragrant bath bomb from lavender.

2009-03-16T00:00:00Z

1x03 Trees

1x03 Trees

  • 2009-03-16T00:00:00Z30m

James Wong turns his attention to natural tree remedies this week. Find out how to use ginkgo leaf to make a tea which could help improve memory function and how to make a lotion to tackle headlice using Neem and tea tree oil. James also demonstrates how a soothing gel for varicose veins can be made from conkers, and how to make a natural deodorant from pine resin.

2009-03-23T00:00:00Z

1x04 Herbs

1x04 Herbs

  • 2009-03-23T00:00:00Z30m

James Wong explores how herbs can be used to help treat a range of minor everyday ailments. Using lemon balm, he creates a lip salve which might help when cold sores strike. He also shows how plantain leaves can be used to make a cream to help soothe insect bites and stings. For those keen to have fresh breath, James shows how to make a spray using thyme. And for a beauty treat, he uses peppermint and other common garden herbs to whip up a fragrant homemade body scrub.

2009-03-30T00:00:00Z

1x05 Roots

1x05 Roots

  • 2009-03-30T00:00:00Z30m

This week James turns his attention to roots. He shows how marshmallow and liquorice roots can be easily grown in the garden and how they can be combined to make a soothing syrup to relieve the discomfort of a cough. Valerian is used to create a delicious hot chocolate, which could help to relieve stress. A homemade tincture is made from echinacea, which is used to make spicy ice-lollies that could help fight a cold. And ginger is made into some tasty treats, which could help people with travel sickness.

2009-04-06T00:00:00Z

1x06 Veg

1x06 Veg

  • 2009-04-06T00:00:00Z30m

In the final episode in the series, James Wong shows how vegetables can be used to make natural remedies. Artichokes are used to make a tasty snack which could make a great addition to a low cholesterol diet. Sticking plasters that could help relieve aching muscles are made from chillies, and garlic is used to make a footbath and a preparation that could help treat athlete's foot. As a beauty treat, James shows how cucumbers can be used to make a soothing eye gel.

Season Premiere

2010-03-23T00:00:00Z

2x01 Garden Herbs

Season Premiere

2x01 Garden Herbs

  • 2010-03-23T00:00:00Z30m

In this first programme of the second series, you'll find recipes for an anti-dandruff hair oil that uses rosemary, thyme and lavender; a herb butter to help prevent migraine; sachets that repel moths with their ingredients of wormwood and sage; and, if you've got indigestion, why not try soothing it with an angelica and mint cocktail?

2010-03-30T00:00:00Z

2x02 Incredible Edibles

2x02 Incredible Edibles

  • 2010-03-30T00:00:00Z30m

The second series of Grow Your Own Drugs continues with oats and almonds being mixed up to make a moisturising body cream; if you need a nutritional boost, try the watercress and pear soup; for throat infections, try gargling on a mixture containing onion, red chilli and garlic. Plus, a turmeric teh halia to help soothe the pain of arthritic joints.

2010-04-06T00:00:00Z

2x03 Exotic Plants

2x03 Exotic Plants

  • 2010-04-06T00:00:00Z30m

In the third episode of Grow Your Own Drugs, discover how aloe vera and marigold can be frozen and used to soothe burns; make an insect repellent from lemongrass, or a clay face mask from olive leaves. Finally, make a refreshing and cleansing mouthwash from green tea, liquorice and lemon.

2010-04-13T00:00:00Z

2x04 Petals

2x04 Petals

  • 2010-04-13T00:00:00Z30m

In the fourth episode of Grow Your Own Drugs, find out how to make a restful bath milk with chamomile flowers; soothe a sore throat with honeysuckle and jasmine jelly; help clear waxy ears with ear drops made from dried mullein petals; and combine roses and sugar to make a hair remover.

2010-04-20T00:00:00Z

2x05 Shrubs and Trees

2x05 Shrubs and Trees

  • 2010-04-20T00:00:00Z30m

n the penultimate episode of Grow Your Own Drugs, recipes include a salve using St John's Wort to help heal wounds and a pain-relieving granita made from willow bark and limes. Also, try treating shaving rash with a witch hazel gel; and if your sinuses are blocked, you may find that a home-made eucalyptus decongestant could help.

2010-04-27T00:00:00Z

2x06 Wild Plants

2x06 Wild Plants

  • 2010-04-27T00:00:00Z30m

In the final episode of this series of Grow Your Own Drugs: discover how to make a compress to soothe tired eyes, using dried eyebright and tea leaves; a nettle and chamomile tea to help with the symptoms of hayfever; eucalyptus and elderberry jelly for colds; and an invigorating body scrub that includes seaweed and sand.

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