National Geographic | National Geographic

National Geographic

DOES THIS ANCIENT CURE WORK?

Wednesday, April 17, 2024

In today’s newsletter, we rediscover an ancient ‘miracle’ cure and question whether it works, ask if experts are uncovering the truth about a mass grave in Fiji … and celebrate Herbalist Day. Plus, beware of these poisonous books.

Watercolor scene in an apothecary shop depicting the vendor of theriac

PHOTOGRAPH BY ARCHIVES CHARMET, BRIDGEMAN IMAGES

Treasured as a cure for plague and poison, this ancient, sticky mix of black pepper, viper flesh, and opium (depicted above, being brewed) was a go-to drug for poison-fearing kings and queens.

Now it has been recreated in a lab. But does this version of a substance from before the time of Jesus even work? Here’s what we found.

BOIL, TOIL, AND TROUBLE

Related: This miracle plant was eaten into extinction 2,000 years ago—or was it?
And: These ancient Greek weapons were literally toxic
Also: These green books are poisonous—and one may be on a shelf near you

STORIES WE’RE FOLLOWING

The tomb, a mound of grass with a wall of rocks around it, of the chieftain in Tavuni Hill Fort and the Sigatoka river, Sigatoka Valley, Viti Levu Island, Fiji

PHOTOGRAPH BY DEA/F, BARBAGALLO, GETTY IMAGES

Are experts finally discovering the truth behind this mass grave in Fiji (pictured above)?

Want to age more gracefully? Awe and adventure are integral, says the author of Tough Broad

How much do you know about the octopus? Test your smarts!

How do you create your own ‘Blue Zone’? Here are 6 tips

How ancient Indigenous artists left their mark on the landscape

Every 80 years, this star appears in the sky—see the once-in-a-lifetime phenomenon (Free article)

Recovered: The world’s ‘longest exposure photograph’

The exercise phenomenon born in a POW camp

Would pets eat their deceased owners?

How to see one of the oldest annual meteor showers during its peak this spring (Free article)

WHAT IN THE WORLD?

Herbs being poured from steamy water in a kettle

PHOTOGRAPH BY ROBERT HARDING PICTURE LIBRARY/ NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC IMAGE COLLECTION

It’s Herbalist Day … and we are remembering four herbal traditions around the world that have stood the test of time (above, herb-infused tea). From Ayurvedic medicine to Gullah Geechee Herbal Traditions, here are age-old medicine practices still used today.

Today’s soundtrack: Slow Burn, Baby Rose

We hope this newsletter brightened your Wednesday! It was curated and edited by David Beard, Nancy San Martín, and Nishita Naga. Know someone who might want our newsletter in their inbox? Here’s the signup. See you tomorrow!

Clicking on the Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and National Geographic Channel links will take you away from our National Geographic Partners site where different terms of use and privacy policy apply.

This email was sent to: [email protected]. Please do not reply to this email as this address is not monitored.

This email contains an advertisement from:
National Geographic | 1145 17th Street, N.W. | Washington, D.C. 20036

Stop all types of future commercial email from National Geographic regarding its products, services, or experiences.

Manage all email preferences with the Walt Disney Family of Companies.

© 2024 National Geographic Partners, LLC, All rights reserved.