J Ethnopharmacol. 1991 Jul; 33(3): 243-51.

The effectiveness of Hernandia spp. (Hernandiaceae) in traditional Samoan medicine and according to scientific analyses.

Dittmar A.

The use of Hernandia nymphaefolia (Presl.) Kubitzki, Hernandia ovigera Linn., Hernandia peltata Meissner and Hernandia sonora Linn. in traditional Samoan medicine is given. The constituents have been listed and the effectiveness of the various plant parts deducted from them. A comparison of the traditional medicinal use with the assigned medicinal effectiveness shows clear concordances. Further pharmacological investigations are needed.