Botany
Botany studies plants: their identification, physiology and uses, including medicinal ones. In The Apothecary Diaries the herb garden and the plant-based pharmacopoeia are everywhere: toxic plants, healing plants, thornapple, balsam, and the active compounds extracted from them.
Entries in this discipline
Aconite
In The Apothecary Diaries, aconite poisons even through honey. We explain aconitine, its action on nerves, and why it shows no mercy.
Anthocyanins
In The Apothecary Diaries, Maomao reveals why blue roses are impossible. We explain anthocyanins, their response to pH, and their antioxidant property.
Amaryllis
In The Apothecary Diaries, Maomao mentions amaryllis bulbs: toxic raw, edible after soaking, but always a digestive risk.
The Dandelion
In The Apothecary Diaries, Maomao identifies dandelion as a medicinal herb. We explain its diuretic properties, its inulin, and its culinary uses.
Datura
In The Apothecary Diaries, datura is used to induce sleep and feign death. We explain its alkaloids, its toxicity, and its role in the history of anesthesia.
Emmenagogue and Abortive Plants
Jasmine, mugwort, rue, chili pepper: were these plants, said to trigger periods or end a pregnancy, really effective? The history and pharmacology behind them.
Ginger
In The Apothecary Diaries, Maomao prepares ginger pastilles to keep warm. We explain gingerol, TRPV1, and Chinese pharmacopoeia.
Kudzu
In The Apothecary Diaries, over-concentrated kudzu turns into glue. We explain kuzu starch, its medicinal uses, and its invasion beyond Asia.
Mandarin Peel
In The Apothecary Diaries, an infusion of mandarin peel. We explain chen pi, its flavonoids, its essential oils, and what modern science confirms.
Morning Glory
In The Apothecary Diaries, Suirei announces she'll plant morning glories. We explore this botanical genus: sweet potato, purgative seeds, and its resemblance to datura.
Mugwort
In The Apothecary Diaries, mugwort is one of the court's medicinal herbs. We explain its uses and artemisinin, Tu Youyou's antimalarial drug (Nobel 2015).
Nicotine and Tobacco
In The Apothecary Diaries, macerated tobacco serves as a poison. We explain nicotine, its acute toxicity, and why diluting a poison can make it worse.
Oxalic Acid
Oxalis contains oxalic acid, responsible for its tangy taste. We explain its uses, its effects on the body, and why these plants remain edible.
Perfume Extraction
In The Apothecary Diaries, Maomao distills roses. We explain steam distillation, enfleurage, terpenes, and why natural perfume costs so much.
Photoperiod and Flowering
How plants measure night length via phytochrome to decide when to flower. Short-day plants, long-day plants, and horticultural forcing explained.
Physic Garden
The physic garden is the cradle of plant-based pharmacopoeia. Monasteries, universities, imperial China: the history of a centuries-old place of knowledge.
Rhododendron and Mad Honey
In The Apothecary Diaries, a tainted honey and a burned plant cause poisoning. We explain rhododendron's grayanotoxins and the famous mad honey.
Silver Vine
In The Apothecary Diaries, silver vine sends cats into a trance. We explain matatabi, its iridoids, and their dual role as sedative and mosquito repellent.