Oosthoek, Jan. “Podcast 45: Medicinal Plants in New Zealand: Bridging the Gap between Medical and Environmental History.” Exploring Environmental History Podcast, 19 June 2012. MP3, 14.23. http://www.eh-resources.org/podcast/podcast2012.html.
Medical historians often presume that nineteenth century European settlers of New Zealand and other parts of the world relied on emerging inorganic medicines and colonial doctors to maintain their health. However, there is also another story that seems to be overlooked: that of the use of medicine plants by settlers. For these medicinal purposes settlers introduced many new plants from overseas. The guest on this edition of the podcast is Joanna Bishop, author of a study uncovering the story of the introduction and use of medicinal plants in New Zealand and their botanical, medical, and environmental histories.
Music Credits: “Where You Are Now” by Zapac.
Exploring Environmental History podcasts are periodic programmes featuring interviews with people working in the field, reports on conferences and discussions about the use and methods of environmental history. They are posted on the Environmental History Resources website, which is maintained by Jan Oosthoek.
