2017 ASHS Annual Conference

Remotely isolated, the Hawai’ian Islands are a hot spot in biodiversity, including many unique plant species that have been utilized by indigenous people for food, clothing, and medicine. Additional notable plant species (canoe plants) such as taro (Colocasia esculenta) noni (Morinda citrifolia) and kava (Piper methysticum) were brought to the islands from the Pacific along with human migration. With a vast number of native and few introduced species, Hawai’i is also noted for its rich tradition in native medicine. Popularity of such plants has substantially increased in the last few decades, and commercial products as a form of food or dietary supplements are widely available. The workshop will focus on three medicinal plants such as kava, noni and ohelo (Vaccinium reticulatum), known for their use in traditional Hawai’ian medicine and health amelioration properties.