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China's breakthrough malaria cure

Chinese scientists used ancient traditional medicine to find a cure for malaria in the 1970s. Artemisinin has saved millions of lives, it's based on a herbal remedy.

Chinese scientists used ancient traditional medicine to find a cure for malaria in the 1970s. Artemisinin was discovered by exploring a herbal remedy from the 4th century, a small team of scientists managed to harness the medicinal properties from the Artemisa Annua plant. It can cure most forms of malaria with very few side effects and has saved millions of lives all over the world. Professor Lang Linfu was one of the scientists involved, he told Rebecca Kesby how they made the discovery in the laboratory as China's Cultural Revolution raged across the country.

(Photo; Professor Lang Linfu. Family archives)

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9 minutes

Last on

Wed 13 Mar 2019 13:50GMT

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  • Wed 13 Mar 2019 08:50GMT
  • Wed 13 Mar 2019 13:50GMT

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