High School Teen’s Science Fair Discovery: Native American Recipe Destroys Cancer Cells in Lab!

The knowledge of medicinal plants has been passed down for generations. Many believe traditional remedies could help treat diseases like cancer. However, modern science requires proof before accepting such claims. Research on natural treatments is often underfunded because these remedies cannot be patented, making them less attractive to big companies.

Sometimes, unexpected sources provide scientific proof of a plant’s healing power. This happened when a high school student used an old Native American recipe in a science fair experiment. Destany “Sky” Pete, a member of the Shoshone and Paiute Tribes from Idaho and Nevada, discovered that her tribe’s health issues were linked to the loss of traditional foods. One of these was toishabui, or chokecherry pudding.

Sky was curious about whether this traditional pudding had health benefits, especially its rumored cancer-fighting properties. She decided to test it scientifically. With help from biochemistry professor Dr. Ken Cornell at Boise State University, she studied how chokecherry pudding affected cancer cells.

Dr. Cornell tested four types of chokecherry samples on uterine sarcoma cancer cells. Only one sample—the traditional pudding—stopped cancer cells from growing. Within 24 hours, the cancer cells started dying. Sky discovered that the key ingredient was the crushed chokecherry pits, which were always included in the original recipe.

This exciting discovery brought hope to many, as it provided real scientific proof of a natural treatment. Sky’s research won First Grand Prize at the 2017 Elko County Science Fair in Nevada, beating more than 440 other projects. She now plans to continue testing the pudding on different types of cancer cells.

Sky believes that her ancestors were healthier because they ate natural, traditional foods. She thinks that many modern diseases, like diabetes, come from unhealthy diets. “It was the way our ancestors prepared the toishabui, with the crushed seeds, that made it work,” she said. “They were much healthier than we are today.”

Chokecherry is a small fruit that grows in North America. It is packed with antioxidants, which help protect the body from disease. The pits of the fruit contain powerful compounds that may help fight cancer. However, many modern recipes, like chokecherry jam, remove the pits, losing the potential health benefits.

Traditional Native American medicine suggests that the whole fruit, including the pits, should be used. Chokecherry pudding is one such recipe. While the seeds contain a small amount of a cyanide-like substance, it is safe to eat in small amounts. Cooking the pudding also removes any risk. Other ways to enjoy chokecherries include making fruit leather, jam, or juice.

Different tribes may have their own versions of chokecherry pudding, but the most important part is using the whole fruit, including the pits. It’s important to note that chokecherries are different from black cherries, so using a different fruit might not have the same health benefits.

Sky explained that in the past, the seeds were always included in the pudding. Today, some people remove the seeds when juicing the berries, but Sky believes the seeds play a big role in the pudding’s health benefits.

Here’s a traditional chokecherry pudding recipe from Idaho State University:

Pick fresh chokecherries from the tree.
Rinse them well and place them on a hard surface, like stone (some use a meat grinder to crush them).
Crush the berries and pits together.
Boil the crushed mixture in a pot of water until the water changes color.
Add flour and stir until the mixture becomes a thin pudding.
Sweeten with sugar if desired.
Remove from heat, let it cool, and enjoy!
Is Cyanide in Chokecherry Pudding Dangerous?
Like apple seeds, chokecherry pits contain a small amount of a cyanide-like compound. However, in small amounts, it is safe and may even have health benefits. “The dose makes the poison,” meaning it’s only dangerous in large quantities.

Luckily, there’s no risk when making chokecherry pudding. The boiling process neutralizes any harmful substances, making it completely safe to eat. If you prefer, you can also enjoy chokecherries in other forms, such as fruit leather, jam, or juice. Chokecherry jelly is even available online for those who want to try its unique flavor.