Med Trop (Mars). 1982 Mar-Apr; 42(2): 203-7.

[Treatment by plants of injuries caused by marine animals in New Caledonia. An approach of the indigenous treatment (author's transl)]

Bourret D, Bahuaud J.

An approach by an ethnobotanist and a surgeon of the indigenous treatment of injuries caused by marine animals in New Caledony. Actually, the indigenous plants used are under pharmaco-chemical study. They seem to have a real efficiency against thermolabiles venoms, but the mechanism of their action is still unknown; there is no proof of any antidote action. Their efficiency may result from their mode of preparation and local application on the wounds, with a physical action neutralizing the venoms by chemical structure destabilization. Plants used to treat wounds caused by predators have demonstrated a good healing effect when associated with logic surgical tactic (wounds left unsutured). Nowadays, and in the expectation of further studies, severe cases require modern treatments with pathophysiologic bases, such as serotherapy when available or resuscitation technics. Antibiotics and surgery are an absolute requirement in case of septicemic condition.