This program is sponsored by the Covley Foundation based in Los Angeles, California.

The Covley Foundation is dedicated to advancing science for the benefit of humanity.

I'm Alan Olver, and this is Clear In vivid conversations about connecting and communicating.

A lot of the plants that I work on are considered to be magical plants or plants that have a history

in kind of witchcraft.

I really like witchy plants.

I like plants that have this history of mysticism tied to them because that's usually a plant

that has really interesting chemistry.

I think what we do in my research group that's really unique and kind of helps to build

on gratitude for herbs is really putting the science behind that.

That's Cassandra Cueve, a childhood illness robbed her of a leg, but that hasn't stopped

her from trekking through jungle swamps and mountains in search of medicinal plants.

In her book, The Plant Hunter, she's written a delightful story-filled account of her

adventures.

The book also spells out her hope that a research may lead to new ways to counter the rising

threat of super bugs that are resistant to existing medications.

This is great to be talking with you because your book was so much fun to read, fun and

informative.

I learned things, and you drew me into your stories, especially the origin story of you

yourself.

You had a hard time as a kid.

Has that really been the basis of your work, you think?

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