NutraCast: From firewalking to plant discovery, Chris Kilham takes us on a global botanical adventure

The Global Plant Exploration initiative represents an extensive effort in plant discovery and development for the dietary supplement market. In addition to establishing a strong chain of trade, key components of the program include: direct field premium sourcing of botanicals and total traceability and quality control.

From investigating high-altitude maca fields in Peru to exploring hops production in southern France to discovering Robusta coffee plantations in Vietnam, Kilham is on the ground in order to establish a stronger chain of trade.

One of the key pillars of the Global Plant Exploration initiative is engaging with local communities. For Kilham, the people “mean everything” to him.

“The plants make it economically feasible for me to travel around the world because there's a commercial interest there, but the people are the real reward for me,” he said.

“I like projects where I go back to places again and again, because that helps to build real relationships and real friendships. And then, you know, you wind up having experiences of all different kinds that may have nothing to do with securing a source of botanicals, like, hey, yeah, okay, we'll show you that field of kava. But first, along the way, let us take you to the hill of blue clay. And it's like ‘the hill of blue clay, what's that?’ And the next thing you know, 20 minutes later, you and all these native guys are smeared head to toe in creamy blue clay.”

Kilham embraces his role as the Medicine Hunter, using his interactions to bridge divides and give a voice to communities that may otherwise go unnoticed.

“If you're carrying goodwill and good intent and doing the work with integrity and paying attention to the details and being focused and being honorable and kind and all that, I think that's what constitutes great medicine hunting. And I try to live up to that.”

To hear how Kilham got suckered into firewalking and eating a boiled goose head, or to learn how he prepares for his explorations—including the surprising items he packs, listen to the NutraCast.

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