You know the classic thought experiment...
(Although when we were kids we never said "thought experiment". ;)
"If you were stranded on a desert island..."
If You were stranded on a desert island
- and you could only have 5 plants to live from -
Which plants would you choose, and why...?
We're not really considering animals here, but for the sake of the thought experiment, let's assume there are no land animals on this island, at least none worth eating, probably some insects though, and of course, if you are skilled enough to fashion something to fish with, well, you're surrounded by fish!
Ok, Back to the plants...
Here are my top five plants to have
...if I were stranded on a desert island!
#1 - Coconut Cocos nucifera
In Sanskrit, the coconut palm is known as kalpa vriksha, which means, "The tree that supplies all that is needed to live."
So for the industrious ones among us, (and let's face it, if you were stranded on an island you'd get pretty industrious!) this alone could provide you with cordage, fresh water, coconut 'meat', shelter, and you could even make a ferment if you want to get a little drunk, and drown your sorrows.
Coconut is loaded with beneficial properties. Immune boosting antiviral, antifungal, antimicrobial saturated fatty acids. Coconuts help increase nutrient absorption, improve digestion, increase metabolism and help regulate the endocrine system. Topically, coconut oil is very replenishing to the skin and hair.
So, off to a good start, just with the coconut tree alone one could pretty much sustain life.
#2 - Hemp Cannabis Sativa
Ok, I know what you might be thinking, but honestly, that's probably the 7th reason to have some hemp with you on a desert island. Let's take a look.
Hemp is pest and disease resistant. Hemp has great fiber, and can be used to make cordage and paper. Hemp oil has also been used for fuel. Hemp seeds contain all the essential amino acids and fatty acids needed to sustain life, and is more readily absorbed than animal proteins. It also doesn't need to be cooked. Hemp seeds also boost the immune system and are rich in a whole host of vital minerals.
Of course, assuming you can create fire, and a coconut bong or something, there might be some flower buds for you to smoke as well. Hopefully you don't get to this before you've finished building your shelter, and making yourself comfortable. ;)
#3 - Cacao Theobroma Cacao - Literally, Food of the Gods
Cacao is the seed (nut) of a fruit which grows inside of these magnificient pods (pictured above) of a jungle tree known as Theobroma Cacao. This is where all chocolate comes from, and I'm not going to be stranded on an island without a few of these glorious trees to keep me company!
Where to even begin!? Cacao seeds can be eaten raw, and are delightfully rich, bitter, and chocolatey delicious. They are the number one source for magnesium, and loaded with iron, chromium, manganese, zinc, copper, vitamin C, and essential Omega-6 Fatty acids.
So if you're going to be stranded on an island, after a while you're going to get pretty depressed. This is where cacao will save you! Cacao contains a whole cocktail of mood enhancing chemicals to help you survive the long wait for rescue, or to keep your spirits up while building your hemp-powered coconut palm sailboat, or whatever. ;)
Cacao contains Anandamide, aka. the 'Bliss Chemical', a cannabinoid endorphin that the human body naturally produces after exercise. Phenylethylamine (PEA), a class of compounds which we produce in our body when we fall in love. PEA's also increase focus, alertness, and suppress appetite. Tryptophan, an essential amino acid critical for the production of serotonin. Serotonin, a primary neurotransmitter. And last but not least, Theobromine, which is the caffeine-like, cardio-protective, antibacterial stimulant. There's so much to be said about Cacao, but I have to stop.
If you have never tried raw, unprocessed cacao beans, you owe yourself a try. Many of the wonderful chemicals listed above are destroyed through heat and machine processing, and the fats turn rancid, before you ever get a chocolate bar to your lips.
Tulsi flowers with bee, from my garden
#4 - Tulsi Ocimum sanctum - Holy Basit - Queen of Herbs - The Incomparable One
Tulsi is a plant much revered throughout the world, but especially in India, where it is traditionally grown at the entrance to one's home. Tulsi is mentioned repeatedly in sacred texts of India as far back as 500BC as one of the main pillars of herbal medicine.
The Padmapurana states:
Leaves, flowers, fruits, root, branches
and the main stem and everything about Tulsi
is sacred; even the soil under the Tulsi plant is holy.
(Padmapurana 24/2)
I should spend an entire post on Tulsi, and I probably will, but here I will just mention a few of its remarkable qualities.
Tulsi is considered an 'adaptogen', that is, an herb which induces a state of non-specific increased resistance of the organism to stress. It is warming and helps with digestion at every level, (physical, mental, emotional). It is a bi-directional herb which brings the body and mind back to balance. If you are stressed out, Tulsi will calm you down, if you are run-down and exhausted, Tulsi will pick you up. It is remarkable in it's ability to help one recover from fatigue. It is anti-aging and immunomodulating.
The leaves have significant amounts of vitamin C, A, and Calcium, in an easily digestible form.
Tulsi has been shown to protect the liver from oxidative stress, is anti-ulcer, antidiarrheal, antiasthmatic, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic.
The range of Tulsi's medicinal properties is remarkably vast. It is recommended for treating a great many disorders and is widely taken for promoting general health.
I drink Tulsi as tea, almost daily, and prepare it fresh when it's in season. I wouldn't want to do without it either on land, or castaway on a desert island!
#5 - Turmeric Curcuma longa - Kanchani "The Golden Goddess"
Last but not least... I would not want to be without turmeric!
Turmeric has a broad spectrum of actions. Turmeric is the glorious orange spice which enlivens Indian curries. Many herbalists would choose turmeric if they had but one plant to rely on for maintaining health.
Turmeric's primary uses are to purify the blood and remedy skin conditions. The principal organs it treats are skin, heart, liver, and lungs. Turmeric also excels at soothing pain and inflammation. The primary constituents responsible for turmerics healing powers and by far the most researched, are the 3 alkaloidal Curcumins, these are the gold substances in turmeric, but there are many other compounds in Turmeric which are responsible for its wide range of action.
I have practiced martial arts and yoga on and off for over 20 years, and I cannot begin to describe the difference I feel when practicing with turmeric. Turmeric allows one so go deeper into stretches with less risk of injury. Where the bruises and aches of martial arts practice begin to show, turmeric has cut my recovery time in half.
Turmeric is a profound anitoxidant and antimicrobial, and it has been widely researched for its anti-cancer properties. With respect to cancer, Turmeric provides a triple actioin: turmeric neutralizes substances and conditions which promote cancer. It helps cells maintain integrity when threatened with carcinogens. And if a tumor grows, curcumin can destroy the tumor.
There's so much more to be said about this remarkable plant. It is to me, the spice of life, and I wouldn't want to live without it.
Least of all, in the rough life of a castaway.
This was all just a trick, you know...
I just wanted to tell you about some of my favorite plants!
The desert island can wait!
You should really consider incorporating these profoundly nutritious and healing plants in your daily life! And I hope you do. =)
If you want to share your thoughts on what plants YOU would take to your castaway island, please do so in the comments, or, feel free to create your own post with the tag #desertislandfive which I noticed while researching this article had already been started by 
To Your Health!
References:
David Wolfe - Superfoods
Drs. Singh, Hoette, Miller - Tulsi - The Mother Medicine of Nature
Prashanti de Jager M.S. - Turmeric: The Ayurvedic Spice of Life