Why I started this forum

[Frank Woolf]

A few weeks ago I started building a database of plants that I hope to grow on the lots I am purchasing for a home and for permaculture. As I scoured the internet and talked to people getting more information on the plants I realized that a second database for all the medicinal uses of plants would be valuable.

I mentioned this to others and got a very positive response. Then I started to work out the structure and management on an on-line database but the more I worked on it the more I realized it would be a nightmare to keep it up to date and manage it.

I have a lot of experience building and managing forums like this one and the more I thought about it the more I realized it is probably the ideal way to put the information on line and also for others to add their knowledge, ask questions, etc.

My only concern is that I want to avoid taking any traffic away from an excellent Yahoo group philventures (http://asia.groups.yahoo.com/group/philventures/). If you don't already belong I recommend them highly.

So now you know why the forum is here please help me fill it up and please offer suggestions for new sections I may have missed, tell me if you see errors, etc.

I have a lot more I will post but it would be great to see input from others.

[davaodan]

I do not see my picture posted on my posts. I will try to have my wife look through your site too because she has some knowledge of herbal remedies. Her mother is a witch...ooops, helot I mean.

Dan in Davao

[Frank Woolf]

Do you mean your Avatar picture that would be included with every post?

To add an avatar you need to go to your personal control panel. Just click on "User CP" in the navigation bar above.

P.S.
You may want to prepare an image in advance. The maximum size is 80 by 80 pixels or 19.5 KB (whichever is smaller).

[Frank Woolf]

I think I need to point out here that although I ignore any info I find published by anyone who is making money out of whatever they make from a plant, my intention is not to post only scientifically proven facts.

Many plants have medicinal uses that are well known in many countries so there is no value in waiting for the scientists to catch up.

Any information supported by scientific proof is of course welcome but I don't have much faith in scientific proof myself. All too often the scientific studies say one thing and then later say something else.

My purpose is to post and discuss anything that seems valid and get feedback, especially from those who have tried it. Sometimes we may get a consensus of opinion saying its great, sometimes useless and sometimes a mix of both.

As I see it, getting feedback from people who have tried it has more value and of course posting the information gives people the opportunity to test the plants for themselves.

A few simple examples for me were:
1) Aloe Vera. I have some in the garden and tried it on a burn. Not only did it stop the pain, the pain never even came back. It was much more effective than burn creams I have bought from drug stores.

2) buko juice for stomach and urine problems. It works great when my stomach is unsettled and it even rapidly cured my dog when he had problems urinating.

3)Basil/Mint as a mosquito repellent. I planet one basil plant at the front of the house and have not seen a mosquito there since I planted it.

There are more that I have tried and proved to myself which is partly what prompted me to start this forum.

I am hoping many others will post what they know, especially those with local knowledge.

[Guzzinuts]

Hi Frank - I too am having problems posting my Avatar. I went to my "user CP" & "edit avatar", but there was no option to actually EDIT only the button to NOT display it. Even tried the reset button to no avail? Is it me, or...? :confused:

[Frank Woolf]

Not much time today but I will do ASAP

[Frank Woolf]

OK its fixed. Sorry for the inconvenience.

[Guzzinuts]

Cheers Frank - catch you later! :)