Melatonin in Plants and Human Diet
Despite melatonin's widespread occurrence in plants as well as the foods we consume daily, its role in the human diet is only beginning to be understood.
Lauren Erland /
September 24, 2018
Plants Are All Chemists
“Plants are all chemists, tirelessly assembling the molecules of the world” - Gary Snyder
Christina Turi /
September 24, 2018
Gingko
Ginkgo biloba, also called the maidenhair tree, is branded as a “living fossil”, as it is the only surviving member of the Ginkgo genus. Traditionally, G. biloba was used to treat asthma and senility. More commonly, the nut is used for culinary practices and is often used as an addition to a meal as a side dish or garnish for a dessert
Jacqueline Nguyen, Kyeesha Ocampo, Alicia Rosati /
September 24, 2018
Let Me Be A Tree
Shubham Talwar discusses his connection with nature through poetry
Shubham Talwar /
September 24, 2018
The Mycelium Solution to Health
As a city dweller, taking a walk through the rich biosphere of an old growth forest can feel like being transported to another world. The abundance of life in these ecosystems are evident. The embrace of mother nature seems to cancel out the noise and demands of modern life, recharging us from everyday stressors. Through these experiences it becomes apparent that ecosystems rich in biodiversity are invaluable to not only the health of the planet, but also to our wellbeing....
Sarah Pravato and Monica Lindop /
September 24, 2018
Greetings from the Editor
Welcome to Spiritual Botany Issue Two - Medicinal Plant Conservation
Praveen K. Saxena /
July 14, 2017
Bodhi Beads in China
Bodhi beads were used by Buddhists as a prayer tool for counting the number of prayers chanted while reciting mantras. Nowadays, buyers in China use Bodhi beads as ornaments, collectibles or high-grade gifts. As a result of the market hype, the price of Bodhi beads has risen quite quickly, especially for beads that have been traditionally collected by people for many years.
Li Fei-fei /
July 14, 2017
We Have Lots of Work to Do!
The herbal industry is growing at a rate much faster than the slow growing forest botanicals. Susan Leopold, executive director for the United Plant Savers, shares her thoughts on medicinal plant conservation.
Susan Leopold /
July 14, 2017
Tulsi: A Strong Candidate for Controlled Environment Cultivation?
Plant tissue culture is a technique used to grow plants under sterile and controlled environmental conditions. Using this technology, sustainable mass production of high quality medicinal plants can be achieved, which in turn can reduce pressures created by wild harvesting.
Mukund Shukla /
July 14, 2017
Construction of the Bruce Trail
Serving as trail director, Philip Gosling was instrumental in building the Bruce Trail (the oldest and longest marked hiking trail in Canada) in the early 1960’s. Here he discusses how one trip into the woods led to a life long commitment to protect the environment.
Philip Gosling /
July 14, 2017
Notes from the Congo (Brazzaville)
Réka Komáromi, a freelance ethnobotanist based in Berlin, Germany recounts her time spent with a traditional practitioner from Sounda Village, Congo (Brazzaville).
Reka Komaromi /
July 14, 2017
Ayahuasca
Over the last 20 odd years, interest towards the medicinal and spiritual properties of ayahuasca has grown immensely outside its area of origin, leading to increased consumption of raw materials which in turn has raised concerns that B. caapi and its admixtures are not being harvested sustainably.
Dalton Smith, Tanja Gaehwiler, Curtis Spoelstra /
July 14, 2017
FernHouse
Jaideep Mathur explores the artistic process behind his fernhouse painting.
Jaideep Mathur /
July 14, 2017
First Snow
Katharine Reszetnik explores the ambiance of a first frost through poetry.
Katharine Reszetnik /
July 14, 2017
Emotion and Plants: A Traditional Healing Potion for Success
Jessie McFadden shares her experience learning about indigenous uses of plants while visiting the Blue Sky Community Healing Centre (Thunder Bay, Ontario).
Jessie McFadden /
July 14, 2017
Welcome to the First Issue of Spiritual Botany Magazine!
Spiritual Botany is an interdisciplinary, on-line, open access magazine that was created to envision, explore, and appreciate the role plants and plant-based practices play in connecting us to our environment, health, consciousness, and spirituality.
Spiritual Botany Magazine /
November 3, 2016
Greetings From the Editor
Warm greetings from Dr. Praveen Saxena, editor of Spiritual Botany Magazine.
Praveen Saxena /
November 3, 2016
How Is Botany Connected to Spirituality and Human Health?
In honour of our first issue, we have asked experts from fields related to spiritual botany to send us their thoughts on how botany (the science of plants) is connected to spirituality, consciousness, and human health”.
Praveen Saxena and Christina Turi /
November 3, 2016
The Effects of Experiencing Green Spaces on Health and Well-being: Insights Into a New Research Domain
There is increased interest in multidisciplinary studies that relate human health and well-being with environmental factors. One of the new frontiers relates to the effects that experiencing green spaces have on mental and physical health. The shinrin-yoku research model is presented here as an example of this captivating enterprise.
Verena Kulak /
November 3, 2016
Spiritual Uses of the Buttercup Family in North America
Classic ethnobotany describes a strong connection between plants used to treat neurological diseases and those associated with ceremonial and/or ritualistic practices. This article examines current phytochemical and pharmacological understanding for several spiritual species belonging to the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae) which have previously been employed as medicines during ceremony
Christina E. Turi /
November 3, 2016