Condurango

/ˌkɒnduːˈræŋɡoʊ/ noun

Definition

A South American woody vine whose bark has been used in traditional medicine to treat various ailments.

Etymology

From Spanish, derived from Quechua indigenous language of South America. Brought into European medicine in the 19th century, when its properties became widely studied.

Kelly Says

Condurango was a celebrated 'wonder cure' in 1880s Europe and America, especially for cancer—it didn't actually cure cancer, but the global frenzy shows how desperately people wanted new medicines.

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