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We all know how we will eat
can affect how we feel,

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and that can mean 
pretty booming business

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for food that sells itself as a cure.

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I'm talking about herbal remedies.

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They were already a massive
trend in the wellness world

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before we learned about COVID-19,

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and now they're expected to bring in 
even more business.

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In Venezuela, conventional medicine 
is in short supply,

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and with no other options,

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people are turning to their roots.

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SELF CURING

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(Dina) What do you have?

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Do you have a hernia?

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Take the bellyache bush.

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- Is it real?
- Of course.

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It contains pepperwort, field horsetail,
crested dog's tail and dandelions.

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<i>The coronavirus has infected 
more than 100,000 people in Venezuela</i>

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<i>and sent the country deeper
into an already dire economic crisis.</i>

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<i>But for Dina Santos, 
business has never been better.</i>

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(Dina) Every medication in a drugstore
comes from medicinal plants.

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There are antibiotics,
anesthetics, anti-inflammatories.

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The Lord works in mysterious ways.

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Everything happens for a reason.

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Fortunately for me, COVID-19 has meant

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huge growth for my business, thank God.

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<i>Venezuela's hospitals,</i>

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<i>which were among the best 
in Latin America only a few years ago,</i>

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<i>now frequently operate
without power or running water.</i>

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<i>Patients bring gloves and narcotics
to their own surgery.</i>

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<i>Now, those who stayed
are trying to survive a pandemic</i>

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<i>in a country that offers 
seven hospital beds</i>

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for every 10,000 people.

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If someone calles me
and they COVID symptoms,

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I recommend they take
an anti-cold plant package.

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And I'd advise them
to drink lots of lemon juice.

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<i>Miracle remedies and COVID cures 
have been sold across the world</i>

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<i>even against expert's recommendations.</i>

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<i>In Venezuela, they were endorsed 
from the highest level.</i>

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I'm going to share with you this tea,

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that is delicious,

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natural, blessed,

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and good for everything.

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Delicious.

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With your permission.

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<i>Twitter quickly removed Maduro's video
for presenting unproven information,</i>

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<i>but the address
had already aired on state TV,</i>

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<i>which is the only news source 
for many Venezuelans.</i>

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(Dina) After [Maduro] started 
telling people to drink natural teas,

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people began flooding my stand
looking for these plants.

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He must know that medicinal plants
are as natural a cure as there is.

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We're done for today.

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<i>It wasn't just the people
followed the president blindly.</i>

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<i>For many, natural medicine was
the only accessible option,</i>

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<i>and all that demand drove 
the price of certain fruits way up.</i>

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There are more than 2 kilos here.

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(Ricardo) Diana, write down 
just $2 million [VEF], okay?

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<i>Ricardo Heredia is a vendor
in one of Caracas most upscale markets.</i>

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(Ricardo) I sell all kinds of fruit,
both local and imported produce.

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Now, with the pandemic,
people buy only the necessary.

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Fruits with medicinal benefits
are always the first pick.

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<i>The price of lemons has tripled</i>

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<i>and citrus fruits have become
a top seller</i>

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<i>since vitamin C boosts the immune system.</i>

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<i>But against doctor's recommendations, 
Heredia believes it can do a lot more.</i>

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As a Venezuelan, I believe firmly
in traditional medicine.

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Coronavirus first stays in your throat

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and you have fifteen days to flush it.

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You can flush it with things
like warm water or lemon tea.

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And when you flush it, you become immune.

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(Juliet) Sit down Jesky,
I'm gonna tidy up the room.

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Gotta have everything nice and tidy.

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<i>The spike in prices has made it harder
for people like Juliet Rodriguez,</i>

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<i>a housekeeper who earn so little</i>

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<i>that her clients pay her 
in flour, rice, and pasta.</i>

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<i>And since March, Rodriguez
has been out of a job because</i>

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<i>those same clients chose
to maintain social distance.</i>

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I live with my husband, four kids,
and a baby on the way.

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Even though during this time,
I haven't gone to the doctor.

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I'm exhausted.

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<i>Rodriguez began to feel symptoms 
early in the quarantine.</i>

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People say it's very risky
to have COVID if you're pregnant,

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I was scared to infect my baby,
my other kids, and my husband.

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Oh, God, protect me.

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I was very scared because
we shared our silverware everyday.

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I was scared to kiss my kids,
it was just fear.

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We don't have the money to buy medicines,

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we worry a lot.

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Because I have to buy food,

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so I can't buy medicine.

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<i>Rodriguez turned to guarapo,
a tea her mother taught her to make.</i>

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(Juliet) Remember when you used to
prepare guarapo for us, mom?

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What kind of guarapo was it?

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(Juliet's mom) Lemongrass, lemon balm,

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mint, Indian borage.

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- All of that?
- Yeah.

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(Juliet's mom) It's being used now
to fight COVID.

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(Juliet) Just guarapo, right?

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(Juliet's mom) Yeah, for COVID.

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(Juliet) People drink a lot more guarapo
than swallow pills.

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People are always looking
for these alternatives.

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You know, traditional medicine,

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because people can't afford medication.

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<i>When Santos got sick
she didn't go to the hospital.</i>

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<i>She relied even more on her plants.</i>

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(Dina) I took it easy, I made my teas.

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I drank a lot of hot lemonade,

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lemongrass with honey and mint,

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bretonica and purple basil.

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And those symptoms only lasted a week.

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<i>Scientists estimate that Venezuela
will soon hit 14,000 new cases a day.</i>

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<i>Before that wave hits,</i>

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<i>Santos plans to do what she can
to protect her loved ones.</i>

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You really don't have to be sick
to drink tea,

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it's a form of prevention.

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Because when you have the tea
or give it to your kids,

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they won't get sick.

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You don't have to wait to be sick,

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to have a good tea.

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Bon appétit.

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- Thank.
- Enjoy it.