From Tribal Sacred Medicine to Anti-Cancer Treasure: The History and Challenges of Porcupine Bezoars

Known as "the last elixir on earth",  porcupine bezoars have long been regarded as a rare medicinal gift from nature. In Southeast Asian folklore, they earned this title for their legendary ability to "cure a hundred diseases." Their usage dates back hundreds of years, and between the 16th and 18th centuries, they were widely traded as one of the most popular animal bezoars in Southeast Asia. During the British colonial period in Malaya, porcupine bezoars were not only prized barter goods but also drew interest and recognition from European scholars.

Traditionally, porcupine bezoars have been used for detoxification, anti-inflammation, pain relief, anti-cancer, immunity enhancement, and organ repair. They are formed when porcupines consume large amounts of herbs, with undigested plant residues accumulating and crystallizing naturally in the stomach. Rich in natural active compounds, they hold high medicinal value.

From indigenous healing wisdom to modern cancer recovery testimonials, porcupine bezoars have been validated by countless users, hailed as a "legendary medicine" in alternative therapy. Although not extensively documented in ancient Chinese medical texts, they remain a "tribal sacred medicine" passed down through generations in the Malay Peninsula. To this day, Sarawak's Iban and Penan tribes continue to use porcupine bezoars, preserving both their healing power and cultural spirit.

Rampant Counterfeiting: Porcupine Bezoars Facing a Crisis of Trust and a Repeat of History

With rising health awareness, demand for porcupine bezoars has surged. Yet this has triggered a familiar crisis: the flood of counterfeit porcupine bezoars, echoing history's mistakes. Centuries ago, animal bezoars lost credibility due to widespread counterfeiting. Today, the same fate threatens porcupine bezoars.

Over the past decade, counterfeit products have flooded the market, with unscrupulous traders profiting at the expense of public health. Studies show that up to 70–80% of porcupine bezoars in the ASEAN market are fake. Worse still, counterfeit sellers dominate market discourse, spreading misinformation and misleading consumers.

Many unsuspecting buyers end up with "fake porcupine bezoars," made of plaster powder, glue, cement, or even concrete debris. These not only lack health benefits but may cause serious harm.

Some claim: "I tried cheap porcupine bezoars, and my pain eased." This is a dangerous trap. Many counterfeits contain painkillers or synthetic steroids, offering short-term relief but causing long-term damage such as liver and kidney injury, endocrine disorders, heavy metal poisoning, and even death.

Worse still, modern technology has made high-grade counterfeits visually indistinguishable from real ones, fooling even experienced traders. This poses not only a threat to consumer health but also a lasting stain on the reputation of porcupine bezoars.

For this reason, we must confront the trust crisis head-on and prevent porcupine bezoars from falling into another cycle of "decline through counterfeiting."

Historical Warning: Will Porcupine Bezoars Repeat the 17th-Century Bezoar Collapse?

This is not humanity's first counterfeit crisis. In the 17th century, soaring demand for animal bezoars (such as porcupine bezoars and ox gallstones) in Europe and the Middle East gave rise to the "Goa Stone"—a man-made bezoar. Initially marketed as a substitute for rare natural bezoars, it was soon mythologized and replaced genuine products, dominating the market.

The story of Goa Stones ended in tragedy: synthetics replaced authentic medicines, prices skyrocketed, consumers were misled, and trust collapsed. As Western medicine modernized, natural bezoars declined to near extinction. Though heavily promoted, Goa Stones were far less effective, misleading countless patients and doctors, and endangering public health.

This history reminds us: when counterfeits dominate, they not only endanger health, mislead the public, and destroy trust but also risk erasing truly effective medicines from human history.

Truth Revealed: 70% of Marketed Porcupine Bezoars Are Fake—Trust and Health Under Threat

Today, the shadow of history lingers. Reports show that in Southeast Asia, over half of porcupine bezoars sold are counterfeit or low-grade imitations. These often come with no source certification, no ingredient testing, no hygiene approval, and no sterilization or toxicity screening.

Sadly:

• Even many sellers cannot tell genuine from fake, misleading consumers either out of ignorance or greed.
• Some consumers who take counterfeit porcupine bezoars long-term not only see no improvement but suffer from toxic reactions and severe side effects.
• As counterfeits flood the market, they steadily erode public trust, threatening the entire porcupine bezoar ecosystem.

Protecting porcupine bezoars requires more than slogans—it must begin with source verification.

References:

1. Dr Victor, The Revered Book of Porcupine Bezoar

2. Barroso, M.D.S. "The Bezoar Stone: A Princely Antidote, the Távora Sequeira Pinto Collection-Oporto"

3. Duffin, C. "Bezoar Stones and Their Mounts"

4. Yang Yongnian, "Pure Porcupine bezoars Are Rare—Identifying the Genuine Is Crucial"

Written by Dr Victor Team