3 ms·

Actually might have a point: https://www.chemistryworld.com/news/rediscovered-native-american-remedy-kills-poxvirus/3003420.article https://www.chemistryworld.c

• ceejayoz 4y ago
  > Now, Jeffrey Langland at Arizona State University in Tempe, US, and colleagues have conducted in vitro experiments with the herbal extract and found it inhibits replication of the variola virus, the causative agent behind smallpox. https://xkcd.com/1217/ https://xkcd.com/1217/ "When you see a claim that a common drug or vitamin 'kills cancer cells in a petri dish', keep in mind: so does a handgun." Given that smallpox helped nearly wipe out the Native Americans, I'm doubly skeptical of "ancient Native American remedy for smallpox!" claims.
  • nkozyra 4y ago
    Fair to be skeptical, but "native Americans" represented a lot of people segregated by geography and culture. The idea that a small group of them might have found something useful, which is at least backed up by some historical medical anecdote, is not on its surface implausible.
    • epgui 4y ago
      On the balance of probabilities, it’s very implausible. (biochemist)
      • nkozyra 4y ago
        Why? If I'm familiar with an herb that has medicinal properties and that plant grows only where I live, it's pretty much what I'd expect.