Ethnobotany
Feature Writer Articles in Ethnobotany
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The Use of Sunflowers
The sunflower has many uses and traditions associated with it; the sunflower has been used for food, therapeutically, cosmetically and in many ancient traditions.
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The Use of the Coconut Tree
The coconut tree is commonly used for coconut oil which has therapeutic and cosmetic values; however, the coconut tree has other traditional and common uses too.
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The Baobab Tree of Africa
The Baobab tree of Africa is known as the upside-down tree; an ancient tree of life, the baobab tree is capable of storing water vital for the survival of local nomads.
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The Chocolate Tree
The cacao tree is responsible for producing an ingredient for chocolate and cocoa butter; however, originally ancient tribes used the chocolate tree medicinally too.
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The Jojoba Plant
Today, jojoba oil is commonly used in the USA for skin care; however, the jojoba plant was first used by native tribes of the American Southwest in a variety of ways.
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The Eucalyptus Trees
There are many species of eucalyptus trees native to Australia; the eucalyptus tree has been used traditionally by the aborigine people but today has other uses too.
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Native American Healing Herbs
The properties of herbs are complex in their actions; learn how to understand the healing herbs which native American tribes have been using for centuries.
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The Maori Use of Native Plants
The Maori people of New Zealand used many native plants in the practice of Maori medicine (Rongoa); these plants included those of the manuka, pepper tree and flax.
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Native American Marriage Traditions
Many Native American Indian tribes have traditions associated with love and the act of marriage; traditions include love potions and the symbolism of nature's union.
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Mayan Warfare and Farming
The Maya used guidance from the Gods and a complex calendar to farm successful crops; however, constant Mayan warfare may have contributed to vital crop failure.
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Navajo Indian Herbal Medicine
Navajo Indians use more species of wild plants in healing medicine more than any other Native American tribe; plant use is considered central to the Navajo way of life.
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Native American Healing Remedies
Native Americans have used herbs and other plants for healing for centuries; their knowledge of healing remedies has been handed down from one generation to the next.
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Hopi Indian Use of Native Plants
The Hopi Indians, the oldest Native American tribe to occupy the Four Corners region of the American South West, traditionally farmed many native plants.
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Australian Aboriginal Native Plant Use
The Australian aborigines have traditionally used native plants for many things; uses of plants included food, medicine, tools, weapons, food utensils and art objects.
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Native American Spiritual Rituals
Native American Indians use many plants and herbs as spiritual healing remedies or in spiritual celebrations, creating a connection with spirits and the after life.
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Mayan Traditions and Beliefs
The Maya have a long history of traditions and beliefs using natural sources for food, medicine, clothing and ceremonies; today, the Maya continue to follow tradition.
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Pueblo Indian Crops and Gardens
The Indian Tribes of the Pueblo Province of New Mexico traditionally planted their own crops and made use of native, wild plants, using them for both food and medicine.
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Native American After Life Rituals
Native American Indians celebrate a death in various ways; the dead are honored with food, herbs and gifts to ensure a safe journey to the after life.
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Pueblo Indian Use of Native Plants
The Indian Tribes of the Pueblo Province in New Mexico have utilized traditional plants in many ways for hundreds of years; today some uses are still in practice.
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A Brief Study of Ethnobotany
With its roots in botany, ethnobotany has recently become a focus of interest since the renewed interest in medicinal plant use; however, its origins date back centuries.
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Contributing Articles in Ethnobotany
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How Mistletoe was Used by the Celts
Mistletoe has been used for thousands of years, in both religious ceremonies and for medicinal purposes, in healing such conditions as epilepsy and cancer.
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Psychoactive Plants
Historically plants have been valued not only for their medical value but also for their psychoactive effects.
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Plants as Pharmaceuticals
At least a quarter of the prescriptions written in the United States contain at least one product that has been derived from a plant.
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Wood as Fuel and Fiber
"My aunt in Knoxville would bring newspapers up for us to use as toilet paper. Before we used it, we'd look at the pictures." (Dolly Parton)
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Chocolate – Food of the Gods
"All I really need is love, but a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt!" (Lucy van Pelt from the Charlie Brown comic strip)
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Legumes as Human Food
"Gardening is an art that uses flowers and plants as paint, and the soul and sky as canvas."
(Elizabeth Murray)
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Cereal Grains as Human Food
"Agriculture not only gives riches to a nation, but the only riches she can call her own." - Samuel Johnson
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Tapping Maple Trees
The tradition of making pure maple syrup has not died. Learn how Native Americans discovered this natural sweetener and how syrup producers today carry on the tradition.
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How to Grow Kratom
Learn how to grow Kratom, an unusual and interesting tree, which is fairly easy to care for.
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