Brazil’s remote tribes in Amazon turn to tree bark and honey to treat coronavirus

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy An Amazon tribe has turned to traditional remedies to tackle coronavirus amid rising concern over the Brazilian government’s failure to tackle the pandemic. “We’ve each used the knowledge handed down to us to gather treatments and test them, using each one against a different symptom of the disease,” said tribal leader Andre Satere Mawe. One should stay away from the ‘wonder remedies’ with no assurance of quality and safety.” open image in gallery Tribal leader Andre Satere and other members of the community return home after gathering medicinal plants in the Amazon rainforest. They claim that the government agency responsible, FUNAI, has failed to coordinate a response to the crisis amid a shortage of food, fuel and protective equipment.​ Antonio Carlos Bigonha, who heads the public prosecution office responsible for indigenous affairs, said FUNAI’s response had been “delinquent, lax, insufficient” and reflected government support for the policy of assimilation of native people.