Plants of the Gods: S5E7. Part 1 — Mescal, Tequila and Magic Toads: A Conversation with ethnobotanist Gary Nabhan
The Plants of the Gods: Hallucinogens, Healing, Culture and Conservation
Release Date: 01/10/2024
Plants of the Gods: S6E10. Perils and Pitfalls of Ayahuasca: An Interview with Robert Tindall
The Plants of the Gods: Hallucinogens, Healing, Culture and Conservation
The therapeutic benefits of ayahuasca are well-known and celebrated worldwide. However, when conducted by the wrong individuals, ayahuasca ceremonies can also lead to harmful outcomes. In this episode, host Mark Plotkin talks with author and explorer Robert Tindall about some of the potential risks and downsides of ayahuasca use.
info_outline
Plants of the Gods: S6E9. The Ethnobotany of Chocolate: From Revolution to Industrialization
The Plants of the Gods: Hallucinogens, Healing, Culture and Conservation
Many people associate cacao (and chocolate) with its origins in Mexico, but few are aware that the plant itself is native to the rainforests of the northwest Amazon. Previous episodes of this season of "Plants of the Gods" traced the journey of cacao from the Amazon to Central America and then to Europe. In this episode, ethnobotanist Mark Plotkin continues to explore the captivating history of this remarkable treat, spanning from the American Revolution through the Industrial Revolution and into the 21st century.
info_outline
Plants of the Gods: S6E8. The Ethnobotany of Isolated and Uncontacted Indigenous Peoples
The Plants of the Gods: Hallucinogens, Healing, Culture and Conservation
The concept of uncontacted or isolated indigenous rainforest groups enthralls many people, even those who have no particular interest in rainforest conservation or tribal cultures. Yet there certainly exist dozens of these groups in Amazonia, if not more. How can we estimate what and how much they know about the healing plants of the rainforest if we do not contact them first? This episode attempts to answer this seemingly oxymoronic question.
info_outline
Plants of the Gods: S6E7. The Medicinal Plants and Fungi of the Amazon
The Plants of the Gods: Hallucinogens, Healing, Culture and Conservation
The Amazon rainforest - teeming with unstudied plants, fungi, and shamanic cultures - has long been considered an almost inexhaustible source of healing plants and potions. In this episode - Dr. Mark Plotkin, an ethnobotanist who has been studying the plants and peoples of Amazonia for four decades - provides a detailed and incisive overview of the medicinal power and potential of the world’s greatest rainforest!
info_outline
Plants of the Gods: S6E6. Ayahuasca and Other Lianas I Have Known and Loved
The Plants of the Gods: Hallucinogens, Healing, Culture and Conservation
This episode delves deeply into the ethnobotany of these bizarre rainforest plants. From the ethereal ayahuasca to galvanizing guarana, we hear tales of how these species can be used for everything from curing deadly spider bites to measuring climate change.
info_outline
Plants of the Gods: S6E5. From Ayurveda to Acupuncture: An Interview with Herbalist William Siff
The Plants of the Gods: Hallucinogens, Healing, Culture and Conservation
Ethnobotanist Mark Plotkin conducts a fascinating interview with William Siff, who is a licensed acupuncturist, clinical herbalist, and ethnobotanist who practices an unusual combination of both Ayurvedic and Traditional Chinese Medicine. Bill is best known to the general public as author of the classic work, "The Plant Medicine Protocol." The interview not only covers Siff's intriguing background and healing approach but answers the questions of what is a plant, what is a food, what is a spice, what is a medicine, and which species like black pepper are all of the above!
info_outline
Plants of the Gods: S6E4. The Ethnobotany of Chocolate: Maria Sibylla Merian and Sir Hans Sloan, Two Unforgettable Characters
The Plants of the Gods: Hallucinogens, Healing, Culture and Conservation
Join host Dr. Mark Plotkin, ethnobotanist and founder of the Amazon Conservation Team, we continue our discussion about cacao. In this episode, Dr. Plotkin sheds light on the often-overlooked contributions of Maria Sibylla Merian, a pioneering naturalist whose groundbreaking work in the Amazon predated that of many famous explorers. Discover how this remarkable woman, who began as an artist in 17th-century Germany, became one of the first Europeans to scientifically document the plants, animals, and cultures of the Amazon. Dr. Plotkin also shares his favorite episodes from the "Plants of the...
info_outline
Plants of the Gods: S6E3. The Ethnobotany of Heirloom Chocolate: An Interview with Denise Castronovo
The Plants of the Gods: Hallucinogens, Healing, Culture and Conservation
In this episode of Plants of the Gods, join us as we continue delving into the rich and complex world of chocolate. Our guest, Denise Castronovo, founder of Castronovo Chocolates, shares her journey from tasting fine Swiss chocolates as a child to sourcing cacao directly from the Northwest Amazon. She works with indigenous and local communities to ensure ethical practices and the highest quality ingredients. Denise explains the difference between mass-produced and artisanal chocolate, highlighting the latter's 600+ flavor notes influenced by cacao varietals. Join us as we explore chocolate's...
info_outline
Plants of the Gods: S6E2. The Ethnobotany of Chocolate: Cacao Moves from Mexico to Europe
The Plants of the Gods: Hallucinogens, Healing, Culture and Conservation
In this episode of "Plants to the Gods," we continue our discussion about cacao and chocolate. Join us as Dr. Mark Plotkin delves into the rich history of chocolate and its entanglement with capitalism. Learn how the cacao plant, originally cherished by the Olmecs, Aztecs, and Mayas, went from the rainforests of the northwest Amazon to becoming a global commodity. Discover the fascinating story of how a clever candy maker leveraged the fame of Babe Ruth to sell his new chocolate bar, leading to a surprising courtroom battle over the iconic name. Accompany us as we explore the journey of cacao...
info_outline
Plants of the Gods: S6E1. Food of the Gods: The Ethnobotany of Chocolate
The Plants of the Gods: Hallucinogens, Healing, Culture and Conservation
Today, we kick off Season 6 of Plants of the Gods, as host Dr. Mark Plotkin of the Amazon Conservation Team explores the fascinating history of cacao, highlighting its ancient origins in the Amazon rainforest and its transformation into the beloved chocolate consumed worldwide today. From its discovery by indigenous peoples in South America to its role in the highly sophisticated Mayan and Aztec cultures as a sacred and valued commodity, cacao's journey is a testament to its enduring significance across centuries and continents. Join Dr. Plotkin as he uncovers the delicious botanical,...
info_outlineIn this episode of Plants of the Gods, join ethnobotanists Dr. Mark Plotkin and Dr. Gary Nabhan in conversation as we learn about the power of the desert and its plants and animals, from mescal to tequila to magic toads. Dr. Nabhan is a McArthur Genius award-winning ethnobotanist and desert conservation biologist with 50 years of botanical, cultural and conservation research experience. In his seminal works “Gathering the Desert" and "The Desert Smells Like Rain,” Dr. Nabhan offers distinct yet interconnected explorations of the desert landscape, its people, and their unique relationship with nature. Catch some of this insight first-hand in this exclusive two-part episode of Plants of the Gods!