Medieval medicine was smarter than you thought — and similar to TikTok trends; FDA cracks down on kratom-derived products; dogs can sniff out Parkinson’s disease with 98% accuracy – Morning Medical Update

TikTok meets the Dark Ages in new medieval medicine study

New research from Binghamton University found that early medieval health practices were far more advanced than once though — featuring herbal remedies and wellness tips that echo today’s TikTok trends. From rose oil for headaches to lizard-based hair treatments, the newly released “Corpus of Early Medieval Latin Medicine” nearly doubles the number of known medical manuscripts from the era, challenging the “Dark Ages” label and shedding light on a culture deeply engaged in science, observation and self-care.

FDA cracks down on unapproved kratom-derived products

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued warning letters to seven companies selling products with 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), a potent kratom-derived compound not approved for use in food, supplements or drugs. Marketing in forms like gummies, shots and tablets, these products were sold online and in convenience stores with unproven claims about pain and anxiety relief. The agency warned that concentrated 7-OH poses safety risks and violates federal law.

Sniff test for Parkinson’s? Dogs detect disease with up to 98% accuracy

Trained bio detection dogs can identify Parkinson’s disease from skin swabs with up to 98% specificity and 80% sensitivity, according to new research from the University of Bristol and Medical Detection Dogs. In double-blind testing, the dogs reliably detected an odor signature unique to Parkinson’s — even in patients with other health conditions — raising hopes for a fast, non-invasive diagnostic tool where none currently exists.