EWINGSDALE applied biologist Leyland Minter has for several years been researching and experimenting with a mystical natural substance that is said to boost the health of humans and plants.

Ormus, a solution of monoatomic minerals derived from seawater, is also known as The Philosopher's Stone as it's believed to be related to the secret work done by ancient Egyptian alchemists.

There has also been speculation that it may be related to the manna referenced in the Bible.

Proponents believe the substance, which was discovered in the late 1970s by a US farmer mining for gold, is a super-conductor that makes everything work more efficiently in plants and the human body.

Leyland says his and others experiments have found that plants treated with Ormus grow significantly faster and healthier.

Meanwhile, Leyland's daughter Natalie Cowling has been adding to the steadily-growing body of anecdotal reports of the striking health benefits of its oral consumption.

"This is the cutting edge of agriculture and human health," Leyland said.

On Tuesday, April 16 at 6.30pm, the pair will give a presentation on Ormus at the Mullumbimby Presbyterian Hall, 104 Stuart St, for a gold-coin donation.

Leyland will bring along plants grown with and without Ormus as a comparison. For more information visit transitionbyronshire.org.