An AI-powered doctor is supporting medical students at Dubai Medical University (DMU) to research natural remedies and cures. Dr Layla, who is identified as the head of the greenhouse, can answer questions about natural remedies and cures from six different continents, including the Indian Ayurveda medicine and Chinese traditional methods.
While on display at the startup lounge in Madinat Jumeirah during the Dubai AI Festival, Dr Layla answered questions about everything from remedies to reduce bloating to what natural supplements to take when hitting the gym.
“She suggests natural remedies for every query, instead of offering medication,” said Aisha, a student at DMU. “We also use her help for our research because she has information about plants from all across the world. Many of them have medicinal properties and can be incorporated into our daily diet for added benefits.”
“Rich in omega 3 fatty acids, fiber and protein, chia seeds can help keep you full and provide you with energy,” she said. “Flax seeds are a great source of omega 3 fatty acids which may help reduce inflammation and support heart health. Ground flaxseeds can be easily incorporated into various dishes. Pumpkin seeds are high in protein, magnesium and zinc. They make a great snack and can be added to salads and trail mixes for an energy boost.”
She added sunflower seeds and sesame seeds to the list, for being rich in Vitamin E and packed with calcium respectively.
Beneficial for students
At the stand, almost 100 plants were on display, each of which had a barcode. Upon scanning the code, all the information about the plant, including its benefits, where it could be found and what it could be used for would be available.
According to Aisha, Dr Layla’s input has been extremely beneficial for the research of students. “My research is centred around natural remedies which can be combined with modern medicine and her knowledge has been extremely beneficial,” she said. “The information of over 6,000 plants is available in the database of Dr Layla, which is invaluable.”
Currently, the system is only available for use for DMU staff and students, but according to representatives, there are discussions on opening it to the public. The institute has also published a book about alternative medicine which has information of several Chinese traditional medicines.
