But scientists say rhino horns are made from the same material as fingernails and have no proven medicinal properties.

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There's a certain irony in this, because the American Indians, from whom we originally acquired tobacco, thought it possessed medicinal properties when smoked.

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He heard that the mangosteen, a tangerine-size fruit (unrelated to the mango) with a hard purple rind and a fleshy white interior, had medicinal properties.

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As with the elephant crisis, the culprit is largely demand from Asia, where their horns are highly desired because they are believed to have medicinal properties.

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Growing Asian demand for rhino horn, believed to be a remedy for various illness including cancer, is thought to be behind the recent spike in rhino killings, even though there is no scientific evidence for its reputed medicinal properties.

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Like those from a group of visiting tourists who sent a note into the kitchen asking for the recipe of the rare delicacy, mahue ki doobri, that she had made with mahua (a type of fragrant fruit used mainly for its medicinal properties).

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