Ruqayyah Snyder
Australia has been at the forefront of several medical breakthroughs and potential cures for various diseases. For instance, researchers in Australia have been working on a cure for Rett Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that affects the development of young girls. Additionally, Australian scientists have explored the use of drugs typically used to treat HIV and malaria as a potential cure for COVID-19. In the field of oncology, Australian researchers have isolated a chemical from a native berry that has shown promising results as a tumour-killing agent in animal trials and is now being tested on humans. Furthermore, Australia has made significant progress in curing hepatitis C through universal access to direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatments.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Possible cure for cancer | A chemical isolated from an Australian berry has shown potential as a tumor-killing agent |
| Clinical trials are underway for its use in animals and humans | |
| It works by killing the tumour cells directly, cutting off the blood supply and activating the body's immune system | |
| Possible cure for Rett Syndrome | Researchers from the University of Sydney have presented the latest advances toward a cure |
| Possible cure for COVID-19 | Australian scientists claim that drugs used to treat HIV and malaria might be used to address COVID-19 |
| Cure for Hepatitis C | Universal, government-funded access to direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatments for hepatitis C in Australia |
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What You'll Learn
Traditional Chinese medicine
In Australia, Chinese medicine practitioners must be registered with the Chinese Medicine Board of Australia and meet the Board's Registration Standards. The Board, along with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra), ensures public safety by guaranteeing that practitioners are appropriately qualified and suitable for registration. The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) also regulates the use of herbal ingredients in Australia, ensuring that medicines meet quality and safety standards.
There has been interest in TCM in the West since the opening of relations between the United States and China in 1972. In 1996, a government review of TCM was commissioned in Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland with a view to making recommendations on the need for occupational regulation of TCM practitioners in Australia. Since then, the standard of TCM education in Australia has been approaching that in China, with a focus on acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine.
While TCM is popular, there is limited clinical evidence to support its effectiveness. Many studies have been carried out in China, but the results are not easily accessible or available in English. Some reviews of TCM interventions have been found to be incomplete, contain errors, or be misleading. As such, further research is needed to improve the understanding of TCM and its quality use.
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Aboriginal healing practices
Aboriginal traditional medicine is one of the world's oldest and most profound healing systems, practised by Australia's First Nations peoples for over 60,000 years. This ancient medical knowledge, passed down through countless generations, is deeply connected to the land, spirituality, and the holistic well-being of individuals and communities.
At the heart of Aboriginal traditional medicine is a holistic understanding of health. For Aboriginal peoples, good health is not just the absence of disease but a state of harmony between the body, mind, spirit, and environment. Healing practices are focused on restoring this balance and are closely connected to the land and nature, which are seen as key sources of health and vitality. The land (Country) is considered a living, breathing entity, and people's well-being is intertwined with maintaining a strong connection to it.
One of the central figures in Aboriginal traditional medicine is the Ngangkari, a highly respected traditional healer found in many Aboriginal communities, particularly in Central and Northern Australia. Ngangkari have been practising for thousands of years and are believed to possess unique spiritual powers to heal people, both physically and emotionally. They are trained from a young age by Elders and are skilled in a variety of healing techniques, including spiritual healing, where they can remove harmful spirits or negative energy from a person.
A cornerstone of Aboriginal traditional medicine is the use of native plants and natural resources, often referred to as bush medicine. Over thousands of years, Aboriginal peoples developed a deep understanding of the medicinal properties of Australia's unique flora. Many plants that grow in the Australian bush have incredible healing properties, and even modern science has validated some of these ancient remedies. For example, tea tree oil, derived from the leaves of the Melaleuca tree, has powerful antiseptic properties. Aboriginal people traditionally used it to treat cuts, wounds, and skin infections, and today it is a common ingredient in skincare products.
Healing practices often include ceremonies, such as smoking ceremonies, where different native plants like eucalyptus or acacia are burned to cleanse a person or place of negative energy and restore spiritual balance. Other practices include song, dance, and storytelling, which are not only cultural expressions but also methods of passing on knowledge and connecting to ancestors. These ceremonies often take place on sacred land or in areas of deep cultural significance, reinforcing the bond between individuals, communities, and Country.
In recent times, there has been a growing recognition of the value of Aboriginal healing practices in modern healthcare settings. Health-care professionals have moved towards more holistic and culturally sensitive approaches, blending Western health-care practices with traditional Aboriginal healing methods. This integration of Western and Indigenous knowledge and practices is referred to as "Two-Eyed Seeing".
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Whale carcass treatment for rheumatoid arthritis
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the seaside town of Eden in Twofold Bay, Australia, had a bizarre "cure" for rheumatism. The treatment involved locating a dead whale, making a hole in its skin, and crawling inside for 20 to 30 hours. The patient's head would remain outside the carcass, while the rest of their body was covered in the whale's intestines. It was believed that the warmth and gases generated by the decomposing carcass relieved pain and aches.
The origins of this treatment are uncertain, but one popular story involves a drunk man stumbling into a whale carcass and emerging hours later, apparently cured of his rheumatism. This incident was reported in the Pall Mall Gazette on 7 March 1896 and helped popularize the practice. Another theory suggests that the treatment originated with the indigenous Yuin people of Twofold Bay, who used washed-up whale remains for medicinal purposes.
While some people claimed to experience relief from their rheumatic pain after undergoing this treatment, there is no scientific evidence to support its effectiveness. Michelle Linder, curator of the Australian National Maritime Museum, stated that it was likely an isolated practice and not widely popular.
The treatment may have been influenced by similar practices in America, as mentioned in some sources. Regardless, the idea of using whale carcasses as a cure for rheumatism or rheumatoid arthritis is considered unconventional and unusual.
Today, this treatment is recognized as a curious historical practice and is showcased in exhibitions at the Australian National Maritime Museum, highlighting the diverse relationships between humans and whales.
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Kwong Sue Duk, the 'Russell Street healing herbalist'
Kwong Sue Duk (1853–1929) was a travelling herbalist known for spreading the healing properties of traditional Chinese medicine throughout Australia. After working on the Californian goldfields, Kwong Sue Duk returned to China in 1874 to study traditional medicine. A year later, in 1875, he migrated to Darwin, then known as Palmerston, and established a general store called Sun Mow Loong where he offered treatments for various diseases and ailments.
Kwong Sue Duk travelled throughout the goldfields, towns, and countryside in Victoria, Queensland, and the Northern Territory, providing relief for many sufferers of arthritis, fevers, and muscle strain. He was well-known for his kindness and generosity. Over his lifetime, Kwong Sue Duk married four times and had 22 biological children and adopted two more, for a total of 26 children.
After settling in Melbourne, Kwong Sue Duk became known as the 'Russell Street healing herbalist' and was renowned throughout Australia for his healing abilities. In 1910, he returned from Hong Kong and settled in Townsville, Queensland, and in 1913, most of his family followed. Kwong established another successful Chinese herbal medicine practice in Little Flinders Street. In 1917, he moved to Melbourne, Victoria, and continued his herbal medicine practice in the city and in the countryside, including in the townships of Ballarat and Bendigo. In 1927, he retired to Townsville, where he continued practising herbal medicine until his death in 1929 at the age of 76.
As of 2006, over 800 descendants in eleven countries trace their lineage from Kwong Sue Duk, including his great-granddaughter, Kylie Kwong, and his great-grandson, Melbourne-based composer Adam Yee. The Kwong Sue Duk Foundation arranges regular family reunions to bring together this extensive family.
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Herbal treatments for arthritis, fevers and muscle strain
Herbal treatments have been used for thousands of years to treat various ailments. While modern medicine has since been developed, some still opt for herbal treatments due to their natural properties and perceived health benefits. Here are some herbal treatments for arthritis, fevers, and muscle strain.
Arthritis
Several herbal remedies are promoted for treating arthritis, including ginger, turmeric, Boswellia serrata, devil's claw, willow bark extract, feverfew, and aloe vera. These herbs possess anti-inflammatory properties that can help with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or osteoarthritis (OA) pain. They can be consumed in various forms, such as capsules, tinctures, teas, or added to food. For example, ginger can be consumed as a capsule, powder, or tea, while turmeric can be added to food as a spice or used in tea.
Fevers
Herbs with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties are often used to combat viral fevers. Ginger, for instance, can be grated and boiled in water with honey to make a soothing tea. Coriander seeds, known for their natural volatile oils and antibiotic compounds, can be steeped in water and consumed throughout the day to boost the immune system. Garlic, with its potent antibacterial properties, can also be crushed and added to warm water or soup to reduce fever. Additionally, Indian Birthwort, or Serpent root, has been used for ages to fight viral fever and reduce fever symptoms.
Muscle Strain
For muscle soreness and strain, herbal treatments such as CBD oil, peppermint oil, and capsaicin applied to the skin may provide relief. Capsaicin, in particular, is believed to reduce the density of nerve fibers underneath the skin, making it potentially more effective for nerve pain than inflammatory muscle pain. Stretching and massage are also recommended for relieving muscle spasms. In terms of herbal supplements, saffron has been shown to prevent delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) when supplemented for ten days. Additionally, allicin, a compound derived from crushed garlic, has been found to reduce muscle damage and inflammation caused by eccentric exercise.
It is important to note that while herbal treatments may provide relief, they should be used with caution and in consultation with a healthcare professional, especially if taken alongside other medications.
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Frequently asked questions
No, but a chemical isolated from an Australian berry has shown promising results as a tumour-killing agent. Clinical trials are underway for its use in animals and humans.
While there is no cure yet, Australian researcher Associate Professor Wendy Gold presented the latest advances toward a cure at the World Rett Syndrome Congress in 2024.
No, but researchers from the University of Queensland in Brisbane found that two drugs used to treat HIV and malaria managed to wipe out COVID-19 infections.
Yes, the Australian government has provided universal access to direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatments for Hepatitis C.
