Most medicine is plant based, anyway, so why not go to the source? In my family we have had success with plant based remedies, as kids my brother cooked up something from the woods to cure poison ivy, a Native American recipe, it worked better than store-bought Calamine lotion.
2
I had never heard of Dr. Duke. I'm glad that his vast knowledge was published and not lost to us with his passing. I'm now intrigued to read some of his works.
3
Love it! Thank you!!!
The article doesn't mention if he did any work with marijuana. It seems like a natural area for him to investigate.
Also, one is lead to believe that that he relied solely on anecdotal proof without any controlled experiments.
Is that true or is there more we should know?
3
I first came across Dr. Duke's research when I was in medical school, and over the ensuing decades have been increasingly impressed with his meticulous field work and the scientific rigor that he brought to the study of herbal medicine. The average doctor who scoffs at herbs isn't half the scientist that Dr. Duke was. I'm sorry to hear of his death.
3
I realize that my comment is not scientific, but for years I suffered from recurring gout. A good friend of mine recommended that I read "Dr. Duke's Essential Herbs" (1999 Rodale). Dr. Duke recommended celery seed extract for gout. I was skeptical but began taking one 500 mg capsule per day (available online). I have had several episodes since then, but far fewer over a 20-year period than previously.
James Duke's work should be taken seriously, even though most of his recommendations have not been tested in controlled double-bline studies.
1
Fascinating person, field of study, and article. Wish I'd known about him sooner!
2
If this article interests you, so might the work of Harvard Ethnobotanist Richard Evan Schultes, who died in 2001. The book "One River" by anthropologist Wade Davis is a great intro to Schultes' work. As an anthropology student who went on to work almost 2 decades in tropical countries, I met many young scientists and environmental activists who were interested in the medicinal properties of plants, particularly jungle plants, and specifically in the indigenous cultural knowledge of their use. Now, 35 years out of college, I'm surprised this body of work has not been more influential, especially in terms of improving health by growing and using medicinal plants and herbs. Cannibis is not the only powerful plant out there. I hope there are folks like James Duke today who are passionate about enthnobotany and the healing powers of beings with roots in the soil.
8
An admirable life.
3
It's interesting to see how a person who earned a PhD in something he liked then kept exploring throughout life. He's a role model whether you're keen on herbals and traditional medicine or fearful. I'm glad he was on the project to explore nuking out a canal so he met the local people. I'm equally glad they didn't pull the trigger to irradiate the world in the name of progress.
3
I had the good fortune to travel with JIm Duke in the Amazon. He was an extraordinary southern gentleman who displayed a genuine love for nature and what she can provide in plants. We shared the misery of gout flares and he introduced me to celery seed for this malady long before it was common knowledge.
9
Sad to hear of his passing. I had read some of his opinions on herbs, many years ago. I think herbalists should have a lot more of a voice, and be part of the mainstream. I do believe that herbs are a missing piece of our current cultural landscape. We evolved as we are in part due to the herbs we encountered, they are capable of provoking such a powerful reaction in us, and in some fundamental way, can reshape us from the inside out. We need our herbal allies, nowadays more than ever!
Thank you for spreading the word, Dr Duke! May you be resting in peace....
1
What a great life...plants and music and learning about ways to stay healthy using nature's gifts. This is why I often read NYT obituaries, to be uplifted by all that can be accomplished in a life.
10
Another inspiring life!
2
Oops: dandelions are yellow not orange because they contain lutene not beta carotene.
1
This article was very interesting and informative.! thank you!!!!
49
Thank you for wonderful article. I
am sorry to hear of Dr. Duke's passing. I have a tattered copy of his book The Green Pharmacy that has helped me and my family have better health.
3