Ethnobotanist Dr. Mark Plotkin discusses Brugmansia, some of the most beautiful hallucinogenic plants in the botanical world. Their bright flowers hang like sacred trumpets and have long been used by traditional healers of the Andes-Amazon region as an important component of their medicine chest. Closely related to the ‘hexing herbs’ of European witches of the Middle Ages (as detailed in an earlier episode), these fascinating plants can heal - or harm.

The spice trade was one of the most influential economic and cultural forces that shaped the modern world. It profoundly impacted cultural exchange, cartographic knowledge and technology, cuisine, spycraft, and medicine. The spice trade strengthened mercantile capitalism and spread both Islam and Christianity while destroying indigenous cultures and tropical rainforests. This episode examines the spice trade from an ethnobotanical perspective.

Hobhouse, Henry. Seeds of Wealth: Four Plants That Made Men Rich. 1st Shoemaker & Hoard ed., Shoemaker & Hoard, 2004.

Levetin, Estelle, and Karen McMahon. Plants & Society. Ninth edition, McGraw-Hill LLC, 2024.

Miller, James Innes. The Spice Trade of the Roman Empire, 29 B.C. to A.D. 641. Clarendon P, 1969.

Milton, Giles. Nathaniel’s Nutmeg: How One Man’s Courage Changed the Course of History. Sceptre, 1999.

Norman, Jill. The Complete Book of Spices. First American edition., Viking Studio Books, 1991.

Rosengarten, Frederic. The Book of Spices. Rev. and Abridged by the author., Pyramid Books, 1973.

Schivelbusch, Wolfgang, and Wolfgang Schivelbusch. Tastes of Paradise: A Social History of Spices, Stimulants, and Intoxicants. 1st Vintage Books ed, Vintage Books, 1993.

Simpson, Beryl Brintnall, and Molly Conner-Ogorzaly. Economic Botany: Plants in Our World. 3rd ed, McGraw-Hill, 2001.

Tannahill, Reay. Food in History. New ed., Three Rivers Press, 1989.

If herbal remedies can help humans, why not our pets? In this fascinating episode of Plants of the Gods, ethnobotanist Dr. Mark Plotkin sits down with veterinarian Dr. Rob Silver, who has spent decades using cannabis, mushrooms, and other botanical medicines to treat animals. From clinical breakthroughs to the surprising science behind plant-based pet care, Dr. Silver shares stories from the front lines of integrative veterinary medicine—and introduces his new book, There’s a Mushroom for That!. Whether you’re a pet lover or a mycology fan, this conversation will change the way you think about both.

Show notes:

The K9 Microdose Project landing page for dog owners interested in a study on mushroom supplementation for their pet: K9Microdose.com

There’s A Mushroom For That!: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DJG1M348

Dr. Robert Silver’s apothecary shop for pets: www.wellpetdispensary.com