Self Curing (clip)

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.

Every plant has its own properties.

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 calls me

and they have 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.

(Ricardo) There are more
than 2 kilos here.

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.

(Ricardo) 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 share 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.

- Thanks.
- Enjoy it.