A Herb that has changed the course of history again and again.

Along with Columbus, Spain had occupied half of South America.
They had looted the subcontinent to bring back huge catch of gold, hordes of Slaves and one of the deadliest Curse Malaria.

The Spanish countess of Chinchón visited her new kingdom and there contracted one of the deadliest fever with chills and rigor. Her European doctor simply had no clue what to do and turned to the indigenous people of the area for help.

Quinine

High up in the Andes, in the deepest forest of South America, Locals always brewed tea from the bark of a wild tree to cure fevers.

Of course, the tree cured her and her story lives on in the name of the CINCHONA tree. The extract of the chincona bark has a name we all know- Quinine

In the 17th century Europe, Quinine had fought and won wars. The dutch were invincible on the high sees as long as they had a monopoly over Quinine.
…

Chloroquin

In 1934, one amino group was added to Quinine to create its first cousin: the Chloroquin. It is also known that It had a very narrow margin between treatment dose and toxic dose. But the Desert Fox Rommel accepted the risk, used it in his forces to win wars against malaria and allied forces in the deserts of Africa.

Hydroxy-Chloroquin.

( Chloroquin added with a Hydroxyl group)

In March 2020, one of its cousin Hydroxy -Chloroquin was found to SUPPRESS COV2 virus in TEST TUBES. That was amazing. It can be a ready made cure for this Covid-19. But there is little time to test it’s potential.

It has the same problem- a very narrow margin between safety level and levels causing toxicity. It can create problems in your heart beating and vision.

Since then, controversies have surrounded this drug. Sometimes it is recommended for use, next time it is dropped for its side effects.

Unlike USA, we in India, have been using chloroquin to treat all fever cases.( Presumptive) over quite a long time.

History shows that whether it’s the dutch on the high sea or field marshall Rommel in the desert, whoever has accepted the risk and used the drug has won the war.

This ancient herb which has shaped the history of earth in the 17th century is now going to change the history again during this pandemic.