Mulled wine is full of wonderful aromatic spices that have anti-bacterial qualities to help fight off winter colds and flu.

Keep an eye out for this one off special presented by James Wong, I’m trying to find out the date that this programme will air and will post it when I know. The programme is once again being made by Silver River who did the first series and James will be back in Spring 2010 with GYOD Series II.

GYO Christmas will see ethnobotanist James Wong show us how to make everything from presents to tree decorations, hangover cures to indigestion relief.  As well as imparting his trademark enthusiasm for his favourite festive foodstuffs, gifts and natural remedies, throughout the programme James will tell the fascinating story of the role plants have played in the ritual of Christmas.

Whether it be pointing out how most festive food staples – like mulled wine or mince pies – are usually packed with anti-bacterial spices (always useful for December sniffles) or the way that winter’s plants and trees – mistletoe, holly, ivy, frankincense and myrrh – have been used to decorate homes and help soothe winter ailments since pagan times, by the end of the episode we’ll be raring to grow our own cranberries, make our own pine needle bath oil, festoon our mantelpiece with rosemary garlands or fashion our own Christmas fragrances.