Ebola, why isn't there a natural or tribal remedy for it?

[edhopper]

I mean they have a longer history of herbal, natural, tribal medicine in Africa than anywhere else.
Where's the natural cure for this?

Wonder what the reaction would be to this in GD?

[Archae]

1. Looks like the only "cure" is get over it or die.

Like the flu was after WW1.

But oh yes, there are quacks claiming to "cure" Ebola.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/16/science/agencies-issue-warnings-over-bogus-ebola-cures.html

[EvolveOrConvolve]

2. The "natural" cure for Ebola is death

[kmlisle]

3. this appears to be a relatively new pathogen in Humans

So that would explain the high death rate. When a pathogen is new they tend to be deadlier until natural selection occurs in the host population leaving the survivors who were more resistant, who then reproduce and rebuild the population. Think of how the Native Americans were wiped out by TB and measles on initial contact. They had not been exposed to these diseases before and consequently there was huge loss of life. The same is true in Africa where this relatively new disease probably has not given local herbalists and healers the opportunity to learn what helps.

There is also a theory about pathogens themselves co-evolving with their hosts so they don't completely kill off their food supply. It may be that the most virulent forms die off once the disease is controlled.

There are several very good books about the epidemiology of the 1018 flu pandemic that provide parallel stories in this country to what is happening in Africa today. The two I have read are by John Barry and Laurie Garrett (this one is more generalized - not just the flu). Both highly recommended!

[edhopper]

4. Thanks

my snarky OP doesn't deserve such a thoughtful answer.

(Of course you meant 1918.)

[kmlisle]

5. I did mean 1918 and native healers may not be scientists but they often have botanical knowledge

that is very useful. The example that comes to mind is quinine which was used by the incas to combat malaria and is still used as a medicine for it today.

[edhopper]

6. There's a saying

natural remedies that are effective are called medicine.
There is no alternative medicine, it ether proves to be effective or it doesn't.

[Orrex]

7. Because Big Pharma is suppressing such remedies.

Duh.

[Codeine]

8. Because the oil companies bought the technology and suppressed it!

Wait, that's that other thing.

Probably Ukrainian Nazis, then. Or Mossad.