Video 27 in the Introduction to Ethnobotany series. Presented by Art Whistler.
The use of medicinal plants dates to prehistoric times when ancient man found by trial and error that certain herbs and barks, when eaten, taken as an infusion, or applied externally, could alleviate some common ailments. The aim of this episode is to present a picture of past and present Polynesian medicinal plants. A comprehensive approach is used that looks across Polynesia rather than in a single archipelago because so much can be learned from the similarities among the various Polynesian cultures.