Grow Your Own Drugs - Christmas

Ethnobotanist James Wong returns to BBC Two with a one-hour Christmas special of Grow Your Own Drugs. In his usual inimitable style, James is tossing out the tinsel in favour of a more organic approach to celebrate the festive season in style. He delves into the origins of our favourite Christmas plants and shows us how to think entirely differently about how we make use of them in the build-up to Christmas. James demonstrates how traditional Christmas plants can be made into natural remedies, recipes and original hand-made presents to see you through the Christmas season. Aching legs after five hours of Christmas shopping could be soothed with James's ivy toning cream. Holly chocolate truffles make a mouthwatering and uplifting gift, just like his fragrant anti-inflammatory orange, clove and myrrh massage oil. James also reinvents winter classics, with his hot toddy made from Christmas tree, cranberry mince pies for cystitis and stress-busting eggnog made with home-grown saffron - to ease your anxiety when the in-laws arrive. For those with a fondness for overindulgence, James's fizzy drink remedy - an effervescent rosehip sherbet - could do the trick. And if the aftereffects of too many sprouts cause embarrassment, children and adults alike are sure to be delighted with James's cute fennel and peppermint mice. As well as turning our favourite Christmas plants into remedies, indulgent gifts and amazing decorations, James also travels the length and breadth of Britain to seek out the country's best Christmas tree, mistletoe and holly growers. And to top it all, he serves up festive drinks, snacks and canapés - all made from plants - around the fire at his winter garden party.