BOTANICAL MYTHS: FAKE NEWS OF THE CONTEMPORARY WORLD

Abstract

The myths take many forms depending on the cultures in which we find them; however, their function is always to explain natural phenomena that occur in their surroundings. As observed throughout human history, it is an inherent condition for the human species to believe in the metaphysical and to use their individual and introspective thinking as a way to achieve their dreams and goals, something that works as a responsible 'driving force' in many cases, for governing and inspiring the human individual. Additionally, populations or part of communities that obtain their livelihood and/or subsistence directly from agricultural activity spontaneously express a greater willingness to believe in the 'infallible' agroforestry myths, which explain the possible botanical phenomena. In light of this, our present study lists the main physiological bases refuting different botanical myths based on evidence proven in original articles. Furthermore, our phenomenological approach was carried out in an eclectic way in the field of botany and is not linked to any specific authority or philosophical school. Finally, we explore and integrate different, mutually compatible approaches to provide the reader with a global understanding of the 'infallibility' of botanical myths.