We all know how we will eat can affect how we feel,
and that can mean pretty booming business
for food that sells itself as a cure.
I'm talking about herbal remedies.
They were already a massive trend in the wellness world
before we learned about COVID-19,
and now they're expected to bring in even more business.
In Venezuela, conventional medicine is in short supply,
and with no other options,
people are turning to their roots.
SELF CURING
(Dina) What do you have?
Do you have a hernia?
Take the bellyache bush.
- Is it real? - Of course.
It contains pepperwort, field horsetail, crested dog's tail and dandelions.
The coronavirus has infected more than 100,000 people in Venezuela
and sent the country deeper into an already dire economic crisis.
But for Dina Santos, business has never been better.
(Dina) Every medication in a drugstore comes from medicinal plants.
There are antibiotics, anesthetics, anti-inflammatories.
The Lord works in mysterious ways.
Everything happens for a reason.
Fortunately for me, COVID-19 has meant
huge growth for my business, thank God.
Venezuela's hospitals,
which were among the best in Latin America only a few years ago,
now frequently operate without power or running water.
Patients bring gloves and narcotics to their own surgery.
Now, those who stayed are trying to survive a pandemic
in a country that offers seven hospital beds
for every 10,000 people.
If someone calles me and they COVID symptoms,
I recommend they take an anti-cold plant package.
And I'd advise them to drink lots of lemon juice.
Miracle remedies and COVID cures have been sold across the world
even against expert's recommendations.
In Venezuela, they were endorsed from the highest level.
I'm going to share with you this tea,
that is delicious,
natural, blessed,
and good for everything.
Delicious.
With your permission.
Twitter quickly removed Maduro's video for presenting unproven information,
but the address had already aired on state TV,
which is the only news source for many Venezuelans.
(Dina) After [Maduro] started telling people to drink natural teas,
people began flooding my stand looking for these plants.
He must know that medicinal plants are as natural a cure as there is.
We're done for today.
It wasn't just the people followed the president blindly.
For many, natural medicine was the only accessible option,
and all that demand drove the price of certain fruits way up.
There are more than 2 kilos here.
(Ricardo) Diana, write down just $2 million [VEF], okay?
Ricardo Heredia is a vendor in one of Caracas most upscale markets.
(Ricardo) I sell all kinds of fruit, both local and imported produce.
Now, with the pandemic, people buy only the necessary.
Fruits with medicinal benefits are always the first pick.
The price of lemons has tripled
and citrus fruits have become a top seller
since vitamin C boosts the immune system.
But against doctor's recommendations, Heredia believes it can do a lot more.
As a Venezuelan, I believe firmly in traditional medicine.
Coronavirus first stays in your throat
and you have fifteen days to flush it.
You can flush it with things like warm water or lemon tea.
And when you flush it, you become immune.
(Juliet) Sit down Jesky, I'm gonna tidy up the room.
Gotta have everything nice and tidy.
The spike in prices has made it harder for people like Juliet Rodriguez,
a housekeeper who earn so little
that her clients pay her in flour, rice, and pasta.
And since March, Rodriguez has been out of a job because
those same clients chose to maintain social distance.
I live with my husband, four kids, and a baby on the way.
Even though during this time, I haven't gone to the doctor.
I'm exhausted.
Rodriguez began to feel symptoms early in the quarantine.
People say it's very risky to have COVID if you're pregnant,
I was scared to infect my baby, my other kids, and my husband.
Oh, God, protect me.
I was very scared because we shared our silverware everyday.
I was scared to kiss my kids, it was just fear.
We don't have the money to buy medicines,
we worry a lot.
Because I have to buy food,
so I can't buy medicine.
Rodriguez turned to guarapo, a tea her mother taught her to make.
(Juliet) Remember when you used to prepare guarapo for us, mom?
What kind of guarapo was it?
(Juliet's mom) Lemongrass, lemon balm,
mint, Indian borage.
- All of that? - Yeah.
(Juliet's mom) It's being used now to fight COVID.
(Juliet) Just guarapo, right?
(Juliet's mom) Yeah, for COVID.
(Juliet) People drink a lot more guarapo than swallow pills.
People are always looking for these alternatives.
You know, traditional medicine,
because people can't afford medication.
When Santos got sick she didn't go to the hospital.
She relied even more on her plants.
(Dina) I took it easy, I made my teas.
I drank a lot of hot lemonade,
lemongrass with honey and mint,
bretonica and purple basil.
And those symptoms only lasted a week.
Scientists estimate that Venezuela will soon hit 14,000 new cases a day.
Before that wave hits,
Santos plans to do what she can to protect her loved ones.
You really don't have to be sick to drink tea,
it's a form of prevention.
Because when you have the tea or give it to your kids,
they won't get sick.
You don't have to wait to be sick,
to have a good tea.
Bon appétit.
- Thank. - Enjoy it.