forest as pharmacy
The Yapese use many different plants for medicinal purposes. Below are a few examples:
- Crateva speciosa is a small tree/shrub that is used throughout Miconesia. In Yap, it is a good source of Vitamin C and phosphorus, and can be used to cure stomach ache, headache, cuts, bruises, gonorrhea, and leprosy.
- Oldenlandia is used as an anticancer and is spread onto sarcoma.
- Angioteris evecta is drunk two-three times a day for sarcoma.
- Ophiogossum reticulatum is mixed with boiled coconut oil and applied to ray fish stings.
- Antrophyum lantagineum: the leaves are crushed and drank to cure bed-wetting.
- Blechnum orientale is given to children ages 2 - 6 for energy
- Vitis vinifera is taken for cold.
- Cayratia trifolia is taken as an aphrodisiac.
- Procris edunculatum: the young leaves are crushed and the sap is applied to a rat bite.
- Laortea interruta: chewing the red, ripe fruit alleviates stomach ache.
- Solanum torvum can be mixed with Helminthostachys zevlanica and coconut oil to cure leprosy.
- Allophvlus timoriensis can be taken for aches and applied to cuts.
- Vavaea pauciflora is used as incense.
- Hibiscus tiliaceus is taken for many reasons. It can be applied to the genitals of a pregnant woman for easy delivery. It can be wrapped on an injury to reduce bruising. It can also be used to cure diarrhea.
- Mammea odorata is drank with coconut milk to cure dyspepsia and can also be drunk to reduce swelling of the lymphatic glands.
- Vigna marina is mixed with Premna serratifolia, Hibiscus tiliaceus, and Canavalia ensiformis to alleviate arthritis.
- Excoecaria aeallocha is dunked in water and drank to alleviate constipation.
- Carica papava: the male flowers are put into hot water and taken to alleviate nausea.
- Dolichandrone spathacea: bark is squeezed with Croton, poured into heated coconut oil, and applied to the body to cure framboesia.
- Cocos nucifera is used for many ailments. It is put into the nostrils to alleviate headache, drank to cure diarrhea, can help women produce breast milk, treat a raspy voice, and keep mosquitoes away.
- Citrus is applied to areas of the body infected with lice.
- Hedvotis fruticulos is drunk to alleviate alcohol poisoning.
- Ludwigja octovalvis can be taken for tuberculosis.
- Ficus tinctoria is taken for pain during childbirth.
- Xvlocarvus eranatum: the bark is crushed and the sap is drunk. It is taken for amoebic dysentary.