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- Title
Traditional medical practices for children in five islands from the Society archipelago (French Polynesia).
- Authors
Chassagne, François; Butaud, Jean-François; Ho, Raimana; Conte, Eric; Hnawia, Édouard; Raharivelomanana, Phila
- Abstract
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.
- Subjects
POLYNESIA; PHYTOTHERAPY; THERAPEUTICS; DRUG therapy for asthma; THERAPEUTIC use of venom; MENTAL illness drug therapy; DRUG efficacy; SKIN diseases; COMPUTER software; DETOXIFICATION (Alternative medicine); INDUCED hypothermia; HERBAL medicine; MEDICINAL plants; DIGESTIVE system diseases; COMMUNICABLE diseases; HIBISCUS; MASSAGE therapy; COMBINATION drug therapy; FEVER; VAGINAL discharge; CHICKENPOX; LUNG diseases; ABSCESSES; DISEASES; BIBLIOGRAPHY; INTERVIEWING; OTITIS; SURVEYS; RISK assessment; RESEARCH funding; BIBLIOGRAPHICAL citations; PHOTOGRAPHY; GENITOURINARY diseases; LEAVES; SINUSITIS; COUGH; URETHRA diseases; MEDICAL practice; STATISTICAL sampling; DATA analysis software; WOUNDS &; injuries; DENTITION; PATIENT safety; GINGIVA; SALIVARY gland diseases; BONE fractures; EVALUATION
- Publication
Journal of Ethnobiology & Ethnomedicine, 2023, Vol 19, Issue 1, p1
- ISSN
1746-4269
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1186/s13002-023-00617-0