Today, I would like to share a story of a remarkable Chinese scientist — Tu Youyou, whose discovery has saved millions of lives from Malaria.
Malaria is a deadly disease caused by parasites transmitted through the bite of infected mosquitoes. It continues to threaten millions of lives and has killed around 600,000 lives each year.
In the 1970s, Tu was appointed by the Chinese government to search for a cure using traditional Chinese medicine. After examining hundreds of Chinese herbs, she discovered that a compound called artemisinin, found in the herb qinghao, could effectively treat malaria.
However, her journey was not easy. The traditional method of boiling herbs in hot water failed because artemisinin is sensitive to heat and would decompose. Instead of giving up, Tu turned to an ancient Chinese medical literature, 《肘後備急方》, which suggested using a cold extraction method. Inspired by this, she applied modern chemistry techniques, using diethyl ether to extract the compound at low temperatures.
Her ability to combine traditional knowledge with modern science led to one of the most important medical breakthroughs of the 20th century. Artemisinin-based therapies have saved millions of lives and are now the standard treatment for malaria. The theme of this month is “Respect Differences, Treat Others with Tolerance.” This message not only applies to how we treat people but also how we approach ideas and knowledge. Tu’s success reminds us that:
Respecting different perspectives — whether from ancient traditions or modern science — can lead to extraordinary results.
If she had dismissed the value of traditional medicine or refused to try new scientific methods, we might not have this life-saving treatment today.
Sunday, 9 November 2025