WHO to Mine Traditional Cures for Modern Medicine

The World Health Organization (WHO) will launch a major effort to study ancient medical practices. The goal is to see if centuries-old remedies can be integrated into mainstream healthcare. Treatments like herbal poultices in Africa, acupuncture in China, and meditation in India have shown increasing promise. A WHO official stated these practices deserve more scientific attention and research. Dr. Shyama Kuruvilla leads the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre. She said a historical lack of evidence has led many to dismiss traditional medicine. This could change with more investment and modern technology, she explained. The initiative aims to build a stronger evidence base. This could unlock what one official called "a potential treasure trove" of global health knowledge.