The Palauan and Yap Medicinal Plant Studies of Masayoshi Okabe, 1941-1943
DeFilipps, Robert A.; Maina, Shirley L.; Pray, Leslie A. (1988). "The Palauan and Yap Medicinal Plant Studies of Masayoshi Okabe, 1941-1943". Atoll Research Bulletin. 317: 1–25. doi:10.5479/si.00775630.317.1. ISSN 0077-5630.
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Abstract: documents the medicinal plant studies conducted by Masayoshi Okabe in the Palau and Yap Islands from 1941 to 1943. The study presents Okabe’s observations and findings in English for the first time, compiling knowledge originally published in Japanese. During his travels, Okabe documented 82 plant species used locally for medicinal purposes, with Euphorbiaceae and Verbenaceae being the most represented plant families.
The article covers a range of topics, including the geographic context of the islands, Okabe’s travels and observations, and a detailed listing of the plants and the diseases they are used to treat. Notably, Okabe collected plant specimens with a focus on the young leaves, which were commonly used for medicinal purposes [8]. The study also highlights the historical context of Japan’s interest in the Micronesian territories due to their potential economic value, including the medicinal plants Okabe was sent to study.
Furthermore, the article provides specific examples of how various plants were used medicinally. For instance, the juice of certain leaves was used to treat milk deficiency in mothers, and decoctions of different plants were used to treat conditions like amoebic dysentery and colds. The authors aim to preserve this historical and scientific knowledge by presenting Okabe’s works, which are complemented by other historical sources listed in the literature section.
Extra details:
MAG: 2022905427 OpenAlex: W2022905427 CorpusID: 84736934
