Polynesian medicine used to treat diarrhea and ciguatera: An ethnobotanical survey in six islands from French Polynesia

Chassagne, François; Butaud, Jean‐François; Torrente, Frederic; Conte, E.; Ho, Raimana; Raharivelomanana, Phila

doi:10.1016/j.jep.2022.115186

Cited by 9 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 85 publications

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“…In our study, a high proportion of women were interviewed. Most ethnobotanical studies in French Polynesia have already found this predominance of females over males [ 1 , 2 , 5 ]. Indeed, women (i.e., mothers and grand-mothers) have the role of health careers in the community, especially for children.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…And they are often in charge of the pharmacopeia dedicated to the care of persons living in their family [ 14 ]. Following the Polynesian healers classification previously described [ 1 ], 38 (44.2%) participants were categorized as non-specialists, 26 (30.2%) were classified as knowledgeable, and 22 (25.6%) as specialists. Among the specialists, 16 (72.7%) were experts in herbalism only, two (9.1%) were experts in massage only, one (4.5%) was expert in apitherapy only, two (9.1%) were experts in herbalism and massage, and one (4.5%) was expert in herbalism, apitherapy and massage.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It is also important in addressing a lack of access to healthcare in some remote islands. Traditional medicine in Polynesia encompasses rituals, manipulative practices such as massage, bee venom therapy, and the use of remedies mainly based on plants [ 1 – 3 ]. So far, about 200 medicinal plants have been described in French Polynesia, and they are used to treat and prevent a wide range of diseases including digestive, musculoskeletal, nervous, respiratory, skin, and urogenital disorders [ 4 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In a recent survey, we have noticed that a large part of the traditional medicine from six Polynesian islands were dedicated to infant and children. In this study, childhood illnesses represented the second most cited category of disorders for which traditional medicine was used after musculoskeletal disorders [ 1 ]. In another survey, about 65% of tradipractitioners from Raiatea and Tahaa reported that infant and children were their main patients [ 5 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Traditional medical practices for children in five islands from the Society archipelago (French Polynesia)

Chassagne,

Butaud,

et al. 2023

J Ethnobiology Ethnomedicine

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Background Traditional Polynesian medicine for children has been poorly documented, and few data are available on their efficacy and safety. In this context, the aim of this study was to identify traditional practices used for treating children and then assess the efficacy and safety of the most cited remedies by reviewing the literature. Methods In 2022, a semi-structured survey was carried out on five islands from the Society archipelago (Bora Bora, Huahine, Moorea, Raiatea, and Tahiti). A total of 86 participants were interviewed including 19 experts in herbalism. A thorough literature review was performed on the most cited plant species to gather the relevant ethnobotanical, pharmacological, and clinical data of each remedy. Results Participants mentioned using 469 remedies to treat 69 health disorders. The most represented health categories were digestive system, skin disorders, infectious diseases, and respiratory system. A total of 67 plant species (representing 731 use-reports) were mentioned and Annona muricata, Gardenia taitensis, and Hibiscus rosa-sinensis were the main plants reported. Regarding the safety of cited remedies, one plant (Microsorum grossum) showed high risk of toxicity, and its use should be avoided in infants and children. Conclusion Our survey confirms the importance of traditional medical practices for children in the Society Islands. A lack of data in children for most cited remedies demonstrate the need for more pharmacological and toxicological research on Polynesian medicinal plants. Finally, the potential risk of toxicity for some cited plant species reported calls for a better information of traditional medicine users and healers.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Traditional medical practices for children in five islands from the Society archipelago (French Polynesia)

Chassagne,

Butaud,

et al. 2023

J Ethnobiology Ethnomedicine

Self Cite

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“…Similarly, 24 plant species were used to treat ciguatera in French Polynesia. Among these plants, Cocos nucifera , Punica granatum , Barringtonia asiatica , and Heliotropium foertherianum were the most commonly reported plants for managing CP [ 64 , 66 ]. Cocos nucifera and Barringtonia asiatica are also commonly reported species for ciguatera in Fiji (see Table 5 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Local and Traditional Ecological Knowledge of Fish Poisoning in Fiji

Lako

Naisilisili

Vuki³

et al. 2023

Toxins

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Fish poisoning (FP) affects human health, trade and livelihood in Fiji, where management has depended mainly on traditional ecological knowledge (TEK). This paper investigated and documented this TEK through a 2-day stakeholder workshop, group consultation, in-depth interviews, field observations, and analyses of survey data from the Ministry of Fisheries, Fiji. Six TEK topics were identified and classified as preventative and treatment options. The preventive approach involves identifying toxic reef fishes, the spawning season of edible seaworms, hotspot areas of toxic fishes, folk tests, and locating and removing toxic organs. For example, 34 reef fish species were identified as toxic. The FP season was associated with the spawning of balolo (edible seaworm) and the warmer months of October to April (cyclone seasons). Two well-known toxic hotspots associated with an abundance of bulewa (soft coral) were identified. Folk tests and locating and removing toxic fish organs are also practised for moray eels and pufferfish. At the same time, various locally available herbal plants are used to treat FP as the second line of defence. The TEK collated in this work can help local authorities better identify the sources of toxicity, and applying TEK preventive measures could stem the tide of fish poisoning in Fiji.

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Ciguatera poisoning in French Polynesia: A review of the distribution and toxicity of Gambierdiscus spp., and related impacts on food web components and human health

Chinain,

Gatti Howell,

Roué

et al. 2023

Harmful Algae

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Polynesian medicine used to treat diarrhea and ciguatera: An ethnobotanical survey in six islands from French Polynesia

Cited by 9 publications

References 85 publications

Traditional medical practices for children in five islands from the Society archipelago (French Polynesia)

Traditional medical practices for children in five islands from the Society archipelago (French Polynesia)

Local and Traditional Ecological Knowledge of Fish Poisoning in Fiji

Ciguatera poisoning in French Polynesia: A review of the distribution and toxicity of Gambierdiscus spp., and related impacts on food web components and human health

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