Herbalist day: Herbarium curator hopes that our local heritage is not lost forever |14 April 2022
Eugenia uniflora (Photo credit: Charles Morel)
On the occasion of herbalist day, celebrated on April 17, Seychelles NATION contacted and spoke to Charles Morel, herbarium curator of the Seychelles National Herbarium, who has an interest in documenting information about Seychelles’ plant species with medicinal properties.
In the following interview with Mr Morel, he shares with us his knowledge and opinions about medicinal plants, herbalism and the role of herbalists in the context of Seychelles.
Seychelles NATION: Tell us about your work as a herbarium curator.
Charles Morel: I am the curator of the Seychelles National Herbarium which is a collection of preserved plant specimens, and our mission is to promote and share knowledge about plants through documentation, research and education, aimed at the well-being of people and their environment. And when we talk about plants, it includes medicinal plants.
Even though I am not an herbalist (a practitioner of herbalism, someone who makes use of plants to remedy certain illnesses, aches and pains) I do have an interest in documenting information about the Seychelles’ plant species with medicinal properties.
As to whether there are many herbalists in Seychelles, I would say no. Here we are talking about people who make a living as an herbalist. Having said that, there are lots of people who have extensive knowledge about traditional herbal medicine, the knowledge having been passed on from generation to generation through oral tradition.
Seychelles NATION: In the context of Seychelles and in your opinion, are the use of herbs and the role of herbalists important?
Charles Morel: There are some people who believe that using manufactured drugs (pills) may have negative effects on the body (rightly so), and they prefer to use alternative medicine, in this case, medicinal herbs.
Consuming organic herb medicine is indeed healthier than manufactured products, and for this reason, the role of herbalists locally is still significant, and essential.
SeychellesNATION: Which medicinal plants are mostly used in Seychelles nowadays? How are they prepared and for what purposes?
Charles Morel: Some of the common plants used for medicinal purposes in Seychelles are:
Catharanthus roseus (Rozanmer, Saponer): An infusion of the leaves is generally used as a tonic against diabetes and to stimulate the appetite. An infusion is also drunk in the treatment of colic pains and stomach ache.
Pittosporum senacia subsp. wrightii (Bwazoliker):A decoction of the leaves or wood is drunk as a tonic and to treat heart-related problems as well as hypertension.
Dodonaea viscosa (Bwadrenet):Mainly used against impetigo (Tanbav). The leaves are boiled, often with the leaves of Asplenium nidus (Lang de bef) and the liquid used to bathe the affected area. An infusion of the leaves is also used for high blood pressure, nausea and other stomach problems.
Eugenia uniflora (Rousay):A decoction of the leaves taken orally is used in the treatment of diarrhoea and dysentery. An infusion of the leaves is drunk to relieve stomach ache.
And a lot more.
Seychelles NATION: Do you feel that the use of herbs in Seychelles is currently being maximised?
Charles Morel:No, the use of herbs is not being maximised for certain reasons and here, we have to be honest. Let’s agree that during the not-too-distant past, the word herbalist did not exist in Seychelles. What we had was ‘Bonnonm dibwa,’ an amalgamation of witch doctor and herbalist, and nowadays most people would visit that person for his/her services in witchcraft.
Another reason is that there is an abundance of pharmacy nowadays in the country. Then of course we have very few herbalists compared to some years back.
Seychelles NATION: Can you share a method in which a local plant is used and which locals might find of interest?
Charles Morel: A simple one; leaves of Korsol (Soursop, Annona muricata). For people who have problem sleeping, the pungent leaves are well-known for their sleep-inducing properties. They can be taken in an infusion or the leaves can simply be placedunder the pillow.
Seychelles NATION: What are your hopes for herbalism and herbalists in Seychelles?
Charles Morel:I hope that the present herbalists and other people who have acquired such knowledge through formal learning or through oral tradition can pass it on to this and future generations so that this heritage is not lost forever. We have recently lost one of our best herbalists, Mr Ferdinand Vidot, who has gone, carrying all his knowledge with him. Such a pity!!
Seychelles NATION: Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers?
Charles Morel:It is no secret that a lot of our endemic plants contain medicinal propertiesand that some of them are threatened species. It is heartbreaking when, on a walk through our forests, you come across a very rare plant which has been chopped down for its wood and bark. A plant which has taken up to 15 years to reach that stage of maturity, brought down in seconds…really heartbreaking.
I would call on all herbalists and everyone who uses plants for medicinal purposes, to please refrain from cutting our endemics in their natural environment. We can always get in touch with the Biodiversity Center or the National Parks and Gardens Authority (NPGA) to purchase a seedling so that we can plant in our gardens.
For more information, contact the Seychelles National Herbarium:
Telephone: 2 822 325 / 4 326 066
