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For answers to these questions, Sci4Kids contacted Dr. James A.
Duke. He is a retired USDA economic botanist, ethnobotanical consultant, and
author of the book, The Green Pharmacy.
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 Dr. Duke replies:
"While economic botany is the study of useful plants,
ethnobotany often focuses on the economic, or useful, plants of a given
ethnic group. In my case, I have studied for years the Choco and Kuna
Indians of Panama. I've written about the plants that they use for food,
shelter, cosmetics, ornaments, handicrafts, and--more important to me
today--medicine. In these days, with a real rush to return to our roots,
ethnobotanists often focus on medicinal plants."
Students prepare for careers in ethnobotany by pursuing three
major fields of study: anthropology, botany, and pharmacy. "The more
(knowledge) of each field a person has, the greater her/his potential to become
a great ethnobotanist," Dr. Duke says.
"I came in through the botany 'door,' and feel that is
etymologically critical (* see below)," he adds. 'Botany' is basic to
the field, "but the 'ethno' in ethnobotany, also implies anthropology (*). And
if folk medicine is your interest, then the stronger your background in
pharmacy, chemistry, and medicine is, the stronger an ethnobotanist you will
become."
* Etymology: The history of a
word, such as its source and development in form, meaning, and use.
* Anthropology: The natural
history of humankind, including studies of humankind's physical
characteristics, origin, geographical distribution, culture, and other
features.
You can read more about Dr. James A. Duke and his adventures in
enthnobotany by clicking on the following URL address:
http://nephele.jason.org/expeditions/jason10/people/researchers/duke_chat.html.
It links to an online chat with Dr. Duke on a page of the Jason Project.
-- Sci4Kids Staff, James A. Duke,
USDA economic botanist (retired).
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