Main content
The Chinese cure for malaria
How scientists in the 1970s discovered an anti-malarial drug using a traditional remedy.
In the 1970s, scientists in China used ancient traditional medicine to find a cure for malaria. Artemisinin was discovered by exploring a herbal remedy from the 4th century, and can cure most forms of malaria with very few side effects. It has saved millions of lives all over the world. Rebecca Kesby talks to Professor Lang Linfu, one of the scientists involved.
PHOTO: Professor Lang Linfu (family archives)
Last on
Sat 21 Mar 202004:50GMT
BBC World Service Americas and the Caribbean
Broadcasts
- Fri 20 Mar 202008:50GMTBBC World Service
- Fri 20 Mar 202012:50GMTBBC World Service
- Fri 20 Mar 202013:50GMTBBC World Service News Internet
- Fri 20 Mar 202016:50GMTBBC World Service Australasia
- Fri 20 Mar 202018:50GMTBBC World Service except Australasia, East and Southern Africa, South Asia & West and Central Africa
- Fri 20 Mar 202021:50GMTBBC World Service South Asia
- Fri 20 Mar 202023:50GMTBBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only
- Sat 21 Mar 202003:50GMTBBC World Service except Americas and the Caribbean
- Sat 21 Mar 202004:50GMTBBC World Service Americas and the Caribbean
Podcast
![]()
Witness History
The story of our times, told by the people who were there

