In 2015, Tu Youyou became the first Chinese woman to win the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for her work in developing a malaria treatment that has saved millions of lives. Ms. Youyou's breakthrough research into Traditional Chinese Medicine led to the discovery of a compound called artemisinin, which is now widely used in the treatment of malaria.

Tu Youyou's Early Life

Tu Youyou was born in Ningbo, China, in 1930. She grew up during a turbulent period in Chinese history, with the country facing war and political upheaval. Despite the challenges, Tu was an excellent student and went on to study pharmacology at Peking University, one of China's top universities.

In the 1960s, China was facing a serious malaria epidemic, and the government was looking for a cure. Tu was recruited to lead a team of researchers to investigate traditional Chinese medicine to find a treatment for the disease. She spent years studying ancient texts and traveling to remote villages to learn from traditional healers.

Artemisinin

Through her research, Tu discovered a plant called Artemisia annua, which had been used in Chinese medicine for thousands of years to treat fever. Tu and her team extracted the active ingredient from the plant, which they named artemisinin. They found that artemisinin was highly effective in killing the malaria parasite.

Fighting Malaria, Saving Millions of Lives

Tu's discovery of artemisinin was a major breakthrough in the fight against malaria. The World Health Organization now recommends artemisinin-based combination therapies as the first-line treatment for malaria. Thanks to Tu's work, millions of lives have been saved.

Tu's contribution to the fight against malaria is a testament to the power of scientific research and the importance of collaboration. Her work demonstrates that traditional medicine can provide valuable insights that can be used to develop new treatments for modern diseases. It also highlights the importance of investing in research to address global health challenges.

Tu Youyou's Nobel Prize is a well-deserved recognition of her groundbreaking work in developing a treatment for malaria. Her legacy will continue to inspire future generations of scientists to pursue research that has the potential to improve the lives of millions of people around the world.

Want to learn more? Read about the History of Chinese Herbs.