BBC2 is to launch a show titled Grow Your Own Drugs, in which a botanist will give tips on creating remedies for conditions such as eczema and insomnia.
The series will feature James Wong, an ethno-botanist - a scientist who studies how people use plants. He will create an informative guide to plants and how their beneficial properties can help with everyday ailments.
BBC2's six-part show, made by independent production company Silver River, will see Wong use common flowers, fruit, vegetables, herbs, trees, roots and bulbs to make creams, lotions and lozenges.
These remedies will be used to help relieve the symptoms of a variety of complaints including acne, anxiety and cold sores. For example, Wong will use hops to ease insomnia, pine as a natural deodorant and liquorice to ease coughs.
"Natural remedies are sometimes portrayed as rather wishy washy and ineffective," Wong said.
"This series will reveal that many plants contain the same active ingredients as over-the-counter drugs.
"Over the years we have lost the knowledge of how to make the most of plants' health benefits in our daily lives. The fact that many remedies are cheap to make and can be prepared in five minutes at home, makes them all the more appealing and convenient."
The University of Reading professor of pharmacy, Liz Williamson, will act as a consultant to the series and will advise on the scientific background and safety of the plant-based remedies.
"This is a particularly topical subject as there is an ever growing interest from the public in natural medicines," she said.
"In science terms, this is an exciting time too as so much work is ongoing to discover why plants can help improve health. It isn't all old wives' tales - there is now real scientific evidence proving the efficacy of some traditional uses of plants."
BBC commissioning editor Lisa Edwards said Wong was an "exciting new talent" for BBC2. "His knowledgeable and relaxed presenting style matches his genuine passion for this subject and desire to share his wisdom with the wider public," she said.
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