Medicinal Plants
and
Herbal Medicines

Herbal medicine is a part of virtually all cultures. This website summarizes descriptions of plants used in the traditional medicine of Samoa (Polynesia). It is intended to provide information to researchers who wish to learn which plants are and were applied to various ailments.
Further research is needed especially on bioactive compounds, means of preparation, and effectiveness of plants and herbal remedies.

"Western" medicine has tended to discredit ancient and indigenous medical systems that it has largely replaced, but much can be learned from the wisdom of centuries of native medical practices.
Research on Catharanthus roseus (rosy periwinkle or Madagascar perwinkle), for example, was initiated because of its use in traditional medicines. Researchers found alkaloids active against leukemia.
Nowadays, the plant is used to treat cancer, Hodgkin's disease, and leukemia in children. Synthetic vincristine, used to treat leukemia, is only 20% as effective as the natural product derived from Catharanthus roseus.

"E tofu â le tagata ia ma lona talitonuga."
Each person has his / her own belief.
(Samoan saying)

"Web Pick of March 2000" awarded by
Centre for International Ethnomedicinal Education and Research