PGR News from the Pacific

Posted 9:02 PM by Luigi

New book on traditional medicine in Samoa

Herbal Medicine in Samoa. W. Arthur Whistler. Allertonia Vol. 9 (2). 2006.

Abstract: A study of the native medicinal practices in the south Pacific archipelago of Samoa was carried out by the author. Based on interviews in the Samoan language with 25 native healers, a list of 85 plant species used medicinally was compiled. The list includes the scientific names, Samoan names, specific medicinal uses, and frequency of usage. The usages are compared with other studies in Polynesia, particularly with a compilation made by Kramer (1902-1903) in Samoa at the turn of the last century. The data indicate that while many of the same medicinal species are currently used as compared to a century ago, the uses are quite different, which indicates that there have been major changes in the way plants have been used medicinally in Samoa over the last century. The medicinal plants most communly used today are Morinda citrifolia (Rubiaceae), Psychotria insularum (Rubiaceae), Curcuma longa (Zingiberaceae), Phymatosorus grossus (Polypodiaceae), Cordyline fruticosa (Agavaceae), Centella asiatica (Apiaceae), Rorippa sarmentosa (Brassicaceae), Zingiber officinale (Zingiberaceae), Vigna marina (Fabaceae), and Aloe vera (Agavaceae). About 30 species that may show medicinal promise in future studies are listed, along with the ailments they are used to treat.

Available for $22.95
National Tropical Botanical Garden3530 Papalina Road
Kalaheo, Kauai, Hawaii 96741
gifts@ntbg.org



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Allertonia Vol. 9 (2). 2006. Abstract: A study of the native medicinal practices in the south Pacific archipelago of Samoa was carried out by the author. Based on interviews in the Samoan language with 25 native healers, a list of 85 plant species used medicinally was compiled. The list includes the scientific names, Samoan names, specific medicinal uses, and frequency of usage. The usages are compared with other studies in Polynesia, particularly with a compilation made by Kramer (1902-1903) in Samoa at the turn of the last century. The data indicate that while many of the same medicinal species are currently used as compared to a century ago, the uses are quite different, which indicates that there have been major changes in the way plants have been used medicinally in Samoa over the last century. The medicinal plants most communly used today are Morinda citrifolia (Rubiaceae), Psychotria insularum (Rubiaceae), Curcuma longa (Zingiberaceae), Phymatosorus grossus (Polypodiaceae), Cordyline fruticosa (Agavaceae), Centella asiatica (Apiaceae), Rorippa sarmentosa (Brassicaceae), Zingiber officinale (Zingiberaceae), Vigna marina (Fabaceae), and Aloe vera (Agavaceae). About 30 species that may show medicinal promise in future studies are listed, along with the ailments they are used to treat. Available for $22.95 National Tropical Botanical Garden3530 Papalina Road Kalaheo, Kauai, Hawaii 96741 gifts@ntbg.org * Comments: Post a Comment	Archive October 2002 November 2002 December 2002 January 2003 February 2003 March 2003 April 2003 May 2003 June 2003 July 2003 August 2003 September 2003 October 2003 November 2003 December 2003 January 2004 February 2004 March 2004 April 2004 May 2004 June 2004 July 2004 August 2004 September 2004 October 2004 November 2004 December 2004 January 2005 February 2005 March 2005 April 2005 May 2005 June 2005 July 2005 August 2005 September 2005 October 2005 November 2005 December 2005 January 2006 February 2006 March 2006 April 2006 May 2006 June 2006 July 2006 August 2006 September 2006 October 2006 November 2006 December 2006 January 2007 February 2007 March 2007 April 2007 May 2007 June 2007 July 2007 August 2007 September 2007 October 2007 November 2007 December 2007 January 2008 February 2008 March 2008 April 2008 May 2008 June 2008 July 2008 August 2008 September 2008 October 2008 November 2008 December 2008 January 2009 February 2009 March 2009 April 2009 May 2009 June 2009 July 2009 August 2009 September 2009 October 2009 November 2009 January 2010 RSS Feed Alternative feed Contact Tevita Something new: Agrobiodiversity Weblog: For discussions of conservation and sustainable use of the genetic resources of crops, livestock and their wild relatives. 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