Hosted by journalist Jan Fran, Medicine or Myth? follows everyday Australians as they pitch their diverse and sometimes divisive health remedies to a panel of medical experts in the hope of being selected for a real-world trial. Over eight weeks, the experts will hear the passionate testimonies of people eager to spread the word about their alternative remedy.
Renowned Australian neurosurgeon Dr Charlie Teo leads the panel. Joining Dr Teo is Family & Women’s Health Expert Dr Ginni Mansberg and Associate Professor in Immunology, Ashraful Haque. From the everyday to the extreme, cultural traditions to controversial discoveries, these experts explore the stories and claims behind each remedy before selecting the most compelling cases for further investigation in real-world trials.
The debut episode explores seven proposed home remedies, including ear wax as a cure for cold sores, seahorse for asthma, charcoal for stings and bites, menstrual blood for period pain, and a fever bath for colds and flu.
The medical experts: Associate Professor Ashraful Haque, Dr Charlie Teo and Dr Ginni Mansberg. Source: SBS
We’ll meet Chris, who proposes Miracle Fruit as a remedy for Dysgeusia after witnessing its effect on a friend with cancer. His friend, suffering the taste-altering effects of chemotherapy, was able to enjoy his food when he ate the berry first. He used the berries right up until his death. Originally from West Africa, Miracle Fruit contains a protein that makes anything sour taste incredibly sweet.
Another contributor is Beata, who was once badly affected by acne. It impacted on her confidence and she didn’t want to leave the house. After prescribed medications disagreed with her, she remembered a remedy her Polish grandmother had recommended and decided to try it. Her sauerkraut remedy proved effective and she decided to share it on Medicine or Myth?
From cultural traditions to family customs and controversial treatments, no remedy is too unconventional for consideration, but only those with genuine potential for improving an ailment will be considered for further investigation in a trial.
‘Medicine or Myth?’ host Jan Fran with remedy contributor, Achuei. Source: SBS
At the end of each episode, insights from the trial and its ultimate findings will be revealed to the contributor who presented the remedy. They will discover if it warrants a place alongside modern medicine or in fact proved little more than a myth.
Medicine or Myth? provides general information only and does not recommend or endorse any particular treatment. It is not intended to replace the advice provided by your own doctor or medical or health professional.
Watch Medicine or Myth? Mondays at 8:30 pm on SBS. Missed the first episode? Stream it at SBS On Demand:
