Medicinal plants

The Vailima Botanical Gardens medicinal plant collection is being developed in partnership with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE), the Sosaiete Fa’asao o Samoa/Samoa Conservation Society and the Scientific Research Organisation of Samoa (SROS). Here are descriptions of some of the medicinal plants in the collection.

Plant	Description
Avaava aitu (Macropiper puberulum)	Uncommon in lowland to montane forest in Samoa. The only known use for this plant is medicinal. This plant is believed to have supernatural effects and is used to treat “ghost sickness” (ma’i aitu), as well as for the massage of ailments such as swelling and inflammations believed to be caused by the presence or actions of ghosts.
Aloalo Vao (Mussaenda raiateensis)	This native Samoan plant is found in open secondary vegetation coastal and lowland areas. It is typically used for massage or treating inflammation.
Aloe (Aloe vera)	This succulent is not found commonly in the wild but grown in cultivated home gardens. The sap is commonly used to treat cuts and burns.
Aoa (Ficus obliqua and F.prolixa)	The two native banyan tree species are commonly found in lowland to montane forest where they towers over the canopy. The hanging roots are used in Samoan medicine to treat urinary tract problems and stomach aches.
Esi (Carica papaya)	Papaya is typically cultivated around houses and in plantations for their fruit. It can be used for toothaches.
Fetau (Calophyllum inophyllum)	This native tree is mainly found in coastal areas, and occasionally planted for shade. The wood is highly versatile and valued in Samoa. It can be used for the treatment of eye injuries and diarrhea.
Filimoto (Flacourtia rukam)	This native tree can be found in secondary forest and disturbed areas in Samoa. The fruits are sometimes made into jam and is medicinally used to treat inflammation and skin sores.
Fīsoa (Colubrina asiatica)	This native tree is common on sandy and rocky beaches, and can be found vine-like, climbing into the littoral forest canopy. The leaves were historically used as a soap due to its lather produced by the saponin chemicals. The leaves can also be used in a potion to treat post-partum sickness.
Futu (Barringtonia asiatica)	This native tree is often dominant on undisturbed rocky shores all around Samoa. The seed can be grated and used as a fish poison or infused with other ingredients to apply to skin sores.
Gatae (Erythrina variegata)	This introduced tree is found in littoral forest on rocky high island shores and sometimes inland in coastal and ridge forests. The leaves from this plant can be used to treat eye injuries, swelling and inflammation.
Ifi (Inocarpus fagifer)	This ancient introduction is found cultivated in plantations but is also naturalized in native forests, particularly in wet soil. The seed is peanut-like and esteemed by Samoans. Scraped bark can be used to treat stomachache.
Lau ti (Cordyline fruticosa)	This ancient introduction can be found as a shrub in primary and disturbed forests. The leaves are commonly used in making skirts and dance costumes, roofing thatch and food wrappers. The leaves can also be used medicinally to massage inflammation, headaches, and body aches.
Leva (Cerbera manghas)	This native plant is commonly found in rocky or sandy shores. The fruit is reported to be poisonous, and the flowers are used as decoration. The leaves can be mixed with coconut oil and used to treat skin sores and fungal skin infections.
Mamala (Omalanthus nutans)	This native shrub is common in abandoned plantations and secondary scrub in lowland forests. The leaves or scraped bark has been used to treat urinary tract infections and as a purgative to clean the digestive tract.
Masame (Glochidion ramiflorum)	This native tree occurs in primary and secondary forest at all elevations, but most frequently in disturbed vegetation and on lowland lava flows. The scraped bark or crushed leaves is commonly used for mouth infections and bruises.
Matalafi (Psychotria insularum)	This native plant is common in the understory of lowland and montane forests over 1000m elevation. The leaves of the matalafi are used for abscesses, swelling, infections, fevers, and body aches. It is also a popular treatment by traditional healers for illnesses attributed to ghosts (ma’i aitu).
Milo (Thespesia populnea)	This native is related to the hibiscus. An infusion of the scraped bark was used to treat mouth infections and stomachache.
Moso’oi (Cananga odorata)	An introduced tree with lovely scented flowers. The scraped bark is used to treat postpartum sickness, constipation, stomachache and mouth infections.
Namulega (Vitex trifolia)	A small native tree with leaves that formerly were used to repel mosquitoes. The name literally means “mosquito turmeric”.
Nonu (Morinda citrifolia)	A small introduced tree that is probably the most widely used medicinal plant in Polynesia used for many treatments including supernaturally induced ailments, stys, inflammation, boils etc.
Seasea (Syzygium corynocarpum)	An ancient introduction used in traditional medicine to treat burns, skin sores and inflammation.
Talie (Terminalia catappa)	A common coastal tree. An infusion of the bark is used to treat mouth infections.
U’a (Broussonetia papyrifera)	The introduced paper mulberry – the bark of which is used to make tapa cloth.