Extracted from Malaysiakini

World's first universal antidote discovered in Sarawak

Dec 13, 08 11:24am

A local doctor in Sarawak has discovered what he claims is the world's first universal antidote, able to cure any side effects caused by the presence of chemically-made or natural poisons in the human body.

In a report in Bernama, Dr Patau Rubis, 62, is quoted as saying that the herbal antidote, derived from various leaves from the jungle and based on traditional Bidayuh healing practices, could cure people bitten by poisonous snakes or insects, stung by bees or wasps or those who ingest poisons such as weedkillers like Paraquat.

"I have personally saved two people from weedicide poisoning and my friend, a Bidayuh traditional healer, has already saved two people from Paraquat poisoning," he said.

He added that in modern medicine presently, different antidotes were given to patients suffering from the side-effect of poisoning.

"For example, for snake bites, the patient will be given an anti-venom while in other cases like Paraquat poisoning, a different medicine will be given to cure the patient but this universal herbal antidote can cure any similar cases. There is no need to look for other medicines."

Dr Patau, who is a former Sarawak assistant minister from 1987 to1995 and former deputy director of the Sarawak Medical Department, added that ingredients of traditional healing practices in Sarawak must be preserved to allow the younger generation to conduct research and eventually market the herbal cures.

 More research needed 

"One cup of this herbal antidote has saved four people from snake bites, wasp and caterpillar urine," he said, adding that his daughter, who was bitten on the arm by unknown "agent" which had led to itchiness, was cured with only one application of the herb on the bite mark.

Refusing to divulge details of the ingredients for fear that outsiders would try to patent it, Dr Patau said he had written to the Sarawak Health Department urging it to conduct research on the herb in the Bau Hospital.

"I would like to try to help more people, while trying to find ways to protect the intellectual property for all who have and will contribute to the development of this herb into a patent label which can be marketed to benefit more people," said Dr Patau, who is also currently president of the opposition State Reform Party (Star).