The Six Major Categories of Plants that Serve Humanity
This course will explore six major categories of plants that serve humanity. After an introduction to the basics of plant science, food plants will be discussed. Plants provide an astounding and delectable variety of foods though it is somewhat disturbing when one considers the limited genetic basis that supports the bulk of the worldís growing population. Other than leather, fur, silk and most synthetic fibers, the fibers used in clothing are of plant origin.
The second category of plant usage, plants as materials, will be addressed. Plants are used to satisfy human needs beyond the basics of food and shelter.
What is food without flavor? And other than salt, most flavoring agents are derived from plants. Herbs, spices and flavoring agents will be discussed.?
The use of plants as medicines will be covered along with herbs and spices, as many flavoring agents from plants have been used in traditional medicines and the historical use of plants for medicines parallels their use for flavors. There is a fine line between medicine and poison.
Psychoactive and poisonous plants will follow the use of plants as medicines.
Beverages from plants and fungi will be discussed, including stimulating beverages such as coffee and tea and alcoholic drinks such as beer and wine that are products of fungal fermentation of plant materials.
Finally, the role of plants in the worldís ecosystems will be discussed in the last lesson. After reading the sections in your text, try to recall the numerous ways in which plants are beneficial in your life. Page through some of the other chapters to get an idea of the many other ways in which plants are useful.