Walk past a screwpine grove in the Maldives after dusk, and you might hear why islanders give it a wide berth. The plant, called kashikeyo in Dhivehi, is not cut for rituals or treated as sacred. It serves as a warning. Folklore holds that time spent near screwpine thickets after nightfall can bring illness, confusion, or encounters that leave no visible trace. That detail — a common coastal plant treated as a spiritual boundary marker — opens a wider question about how Maldivian traditional medicine actually works.
“Plants in Maldivian folklore were never exotic or rare; power came from closeness, daily use, shared memory, and meanings attached to ordinary elements of surroundings.” — Maldivian Island Plants: Folklore and Healing
The healing tradition known as Dhivehi Beys draws on native herbs, coconut, seawater, and the island landscape. But it is not simply a set of herbal remedies. Practitioners and scholars describe a system where timing, context, spoken words, and the relationship between healer and patient determine the outcome. The boundary between medicine, ritual, and belief has always been fluid — and that fluidity is precisely what makes the tradition difficult to categorise from a Western perspective.
This article is for travellers curious about the Maldives beyond the overwater villa, and for anyone interested in how small-island societies develop sophisticated medical systems out of what grows at hand. The practice is still alive, still evolving, and now finding its way into resort spas — which raises its own set of questions about cultural transmission and authenticity.
Dhivehi Beys is a holistic medical tradition rooted in Maldivian island life, using local flora and natural elements for healing. But it is not interchangeable with “herbalism” as a Western reader might imagine it. Context — the phase of the moon, the words spoken, who gathers the plant, and the intent behind the treatment — matters as much as the ingredient itself. The practice also coexists with a separate sphere of sorcery (faṇḍithaverikan), though the line between them has always been debated by practitioners themselves.
The Plants That Heal — and Warn
Maldivian healing draws power from what is close at hand: trees and herbs that feed, shelter, and treat islanders in daily life. Familiarity matters more than rarity.
The coconut palm is regarded as spiritually neutral but deeply receptive. Coconut water washes the body in ritual cleansing; oil is rubbed into skin as protection against unseen harm; the shell becomes a container for substances and spoken formulas. Power passes through the coconut — it does not originate there. Neem (nimbay) is valued for both medicinal and protective qualities, used in purification and healing preparations. The banyan (nika), with its spreading roots like living shelter, is widely regarded as a sacred symbol of endurance and spiritual authority.
Moringa bridges sustenance and medicine — fast-growing, nutrient-rich, its leaves folded into daily remedies. Lemon basil (gandhakolahi) and mint (kudheenaa fai) soothe fevers and ailments thought to arise from spirit disturbance. Turmeric and lime occupy the space between medicine and ritual: turmeric is associated with purification and the strengthening of bodily boundaries because of its vivid colour; lime and lime water are linked to cutting or breaking unwanted influence, often used after suspected spirit encounters or prolonged illness.
Other local herbs, often unnamed beyond individual islands, are gathered for washing rituals and protective practices — fresh greens used for bathing, steaming, or scent-based treatments. Their effectiveness is believed to depend on timing and freshness rather than rarity. Where a plant is gathered, when it is collected, and who gathers it are all part of its meaning.
| Plant (Dhivehi Name) | Part Used | Traditional Healing Application | Spiritual / Ritual Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coconut palm | Water, oil, shell | Ritual cleansing, skin protection, container for remedies | Neutral receptacle; power passes through it |
| Neem (nimbay) | Leaves, bark, oil | Purification, fever treatment, skin ailments | Protective; used in cleansing rituals |
| Banyan (nika) | Roots, leaves, bark | General healing preparations | Sacred symbol of endurance and spiritual authority |
| Moringa | Leaves, pods | Nutrient supplement, digestive aid, daily remedy | Bridges sustenance and medicine |
| Turmeric | Rhizome | Purification, strengthening bodily boundaries | Vivid colour links to spiritual protection |
| Lemon basil (gandhakolahi) | Leaves | Fever reduction, soothing spirit-related ailments | Used in cases of perceived spiritual disturbance |
| Screwpine (kashikeyo) | Leaves, fruit | Not typically used in healing | Warning marker; groves avoided after dusk |
This is not a pharmacopoeia in the Western sense. Many of these plants treat conditions that blend physical symptoms with spiritual or social dimensions — a fever that arrived after a troubling encounter, or a lingering fatigue that followed a breach of custom. The remedy addresses the whole situation, not just the symptom.
Dhivehi Beys: A Living Practice
The tradition is carried forward by practitioners who combine inherited knowledge with formal study. One of the most prominent is Dr. Ali Rasheed.
Dr. Rasheed brings over 34 years of experience in traditional medicine. He holds medical qualifications from The Maldives National University and the Institute of Health Sciences, and was inspired by his great-uncle, a renowned traditional healer. He has treated more than 25,000 patients, trained numerous students in herbal medicine, and received the National Award of Recognition from the Maldivian government for his work in reviving and promoting Dhivehi Beys.
Dhivehi Beys is distinct from faṇḍithaverikan (Maldivian sorcery), though both draw from the same environment. The key difference lies in intent and social role. Dhivehi Beys is a healing practice recognised within the community, while faṇḍithaverikan involves manipulation of spiritual forces for harm or personal gain. The boundary has always been debated — some plants and spoken formulas appear in both traditions, and what distinguishes them is the practitioner’s intent and the community’s judgment. This is not a settled distinction; it is actively maintained and contested by healers, elders, and island communities today.
The most common outsider misconception is that Dhivehi Beys is “just” herbal medicine with a spiritual garnish. In fact, the spiritual framework is integral, not decorative. A remedy’s effectiveness is understood to depend on the healer’s alignment, the timing of the gathering, and the words spoken during preparation — not solely the chemical properties of the plant.
Healing at the Resort Edge
In December 2025, Nova Maldives in South Ari Atoll launched a partnership with Dr. Rasheed to bring authentic Dhivehi Beys treatments to its EsKape Spa. It is one of the first resort integrations of traditional Maldivian medicine that involves a recognised practitioner rather than a generic “spa menu.”
The signature treatment is a Dhivehi Beys massage for muscle relaxation and pain alleviation. It involves a slow, soothing massage with a blend of locally sourced herbs, spices, and coconut oil. The ingredients include Ruggalu Theyo Massage Oil, Herbal Leaf (Hudufuffilaa) Cuscuta, and Fresh Sea Water. According to the resort, the treatment eases tension and aches while leaving skin refreshed and radiant.
Dr. Rasheed trained the spa team to deliver therapies tailored to guest needs, using insight from his clinical practice. Nova’s General Manager, Abdulla Aboobakuru, stated that the partnership aligns with the resort’s commitment to conserving cultural heritage and responds to growing traveller interest in wellness and cultural immersion.
If you want to experience Dhivehi Beys in a resort setting, look for treatments developed in collaboration with a named practitioner — not just a menu that uses the term “traditional.” Ask the spa whether local ingredients are sourced from the island itself or imported. The tradition places strong emphasis on locally gathered, fresh materials.
The Nova programme also includes group sunset yoga, nourishing dishes and detox juices at Soul Kitchen, and a year-round wellness diving programme that incorporates meditation workshops. Guests can explore the house reef in South Ari Marine Park or take deeper ocean excursions on the traditional boat Emotion to spot manta rays and whale sharks. Lead-in rates start at approximately £268 per night in a Beach Villa and £379 per night in a Water Villa when booked direct.
For travellers who want to explore Maldivian healing culture beyond a single spa treatment, guided cultural tours offer broader context. Viator’s Cultural Tours of the Maldives provide island visits where traditional practices — including food, medicine, and craft — are demonstrated by community members rather than resort staff. A quick heads up — some links here are affiliate links. If you buy through them, it costs you nothing extra but earns IslandHopperGuides a small commission. Honestly, that’s a big part of what funds the travel and research that goes into guides like this one. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases — and I really do appreciate the support.
Context and Comparison
Dhivehi Beys does not exist in isolation. It sits alongside biomedical healthcare (the Maldives has a network of hospitals and clinics), Islamic spiritual healing, and the separate tradition of faṇḍithaverikan. Comparing these frameworks clarifies what is distinctive about each — and where the boundaries blur.
| Dimension | Dhivehi Beys | Faṇḍithaverikan (Sorcery) | Biomedical Approach |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary intent | Healing, restoration of balance | Harm, persuasion, spiritual manipulation | Diagnosis and treatment of pathology |
| Role of plants | Medicinal and ritual ingredient; context-dependent | Symbolic or protective; often used in binding or warding | Pharmaceutical extraction of active compounds |
| Role of spoken word | Integral; formulas give remedies their charge | Central; words believed to act directly | Minimal; patient communication is informational |
| Practitioner status | Community-recognised healer; often formally trained | Often secretive; may be feared or marginalised | Licensed medical professional |
| Relationship with biomedicine | Coexists; some patients use both systems | Generally outside biomedical framework | Dominant institutional system |
The boundaries in the table above are simplifications. In practice, a single healer might be regarded as practicing Dhivehi Beys by some community members and faṇḍithaverikan by others, depending on the case and the outcome. The distinction is socially negotiated, not fixed.
It is tempting to frame Dhivehi Beys as the “traditional” counterpart to “modern” medicine, implying a linear progression from one to the other. Maldivians have used both systems in parallel for decades. Many islanders visit a health centre for a bacterial infection and a traditional healer for a condition they suspect has spiritual dimensions — without seeing any contradiction.
- Dhivehi Beys is a holistic system where plant remedies, timing, spoken words, and healer-patient relationship all carry weight — it is not simply Maldivian herbalism.
- The practice is still actively transmitted and evolving, with practitioners like Dr. Ali Rasheed training students and adapting treatments for new contexts.
- Resort integrations (like Nova Maldives’ EsKape Spa) offer visitors access, but the depth of the experience depends on whether the contextual elements — sourcing, timing, intent — are preserved or simplified.
- The boundary between healing and sorcery (faṇḍithaverikan) is debated within Maldivian communities, not imposed from outside.
Questions Readers Ask
Is traditional Maldivian medicine still practiced today?
Yes, though it varies by island. Some atolls have active practitioners; others have seen knowledge fade as biomedical access expanded. Dr. Ali Rasheed has treated over 25,000 patients and trained numerous students, indicating continued demand and transmission.
The Maldivian government has also recognised the tradition: Dr. Rasheed received the National Award of Recognition for his work in reviving and promoting Dhivehi Beys.
Can visitors participate in traditional healing rituals?
Participation is possible but limited. The Nova Maldives spa programme offers Dhivehi Beys treatments under Dr. Rasheed’s guidance. For a broader cultural context, guided tours that include island visits — such as Historical and Heritage Tours of the Maldives — may include encounters with traditional practices.
Outsiders are unlikely to be invited into private healing sessions, which remain community-specific and often family-held knowledge.
What is the difference between Dhivehi Beys and sorcery (faṇḍithaverikan)?
The distinction is primarily one of intent and social role. Dhivehi Beys is a recognised healing practice; faṇḍithaverikan involves manipulation of spiritual forces for harm or personal gain. Both use plants, spoken formulas, and timing — but the community’s judgment of the practitioner’s intent determines which category an act falls into.
This boundary is not fixed and remains debated among practitioners and island communities.
Are traditional Maldivian remedies safe?
Some plants used in Dhivehi Beys have documented medicinal properties (neem, turmeric, moringa). Others have not been studied in clinical contexts. The tradition itself emphasises fresh, locally gathered ingredients and careful preparation.
Visitors should treat any traditional remedy with the same caution they would apply to unfamiliar treatments elsewhere — and consult a medical professional before using any plant-based preparation internally.
Where can I learn more about Maldivian plant folklore?
The article Maldivian Island Plants: Folklore and Healing offers a detailed overview of the plant landscape and its spiritual associations. For a resort-based experience, the Nova Maldives programme is currently the most direct option involving a recognised practitioner.
Local island museums and cultural centres in atolls like Baa and Raa Atoll sometimes feature exhibits on traditional medicine, though schedules vary.
What Dhivehi Beys Reveals About Island Knowledge
The most striking thing about traditional Maldivian medicine is not the specific plants or the massage techniques. It is the assumption that healing requires alignment — between the healer and the plants, between the patient and the community, between the timing of the treatment and the phase of the natural world. That is a fundamentally different framework from the biomedical model of isolating a pathogen and targeting it with a compound. Both systems work; they just work on different theories of what causes illness in the first place.
For a traveller, the lesson is not to seek out a “traditional healing experience” as a box to tick. It is to recognise that Maldivians have been managing health on small, resource-limited islands for centuries — and that their system deserves the same intellectual respect we give to any other medical tradition. If you want to understand the Maldives beyond the water villa, start with the plants that have always grown there. They have more to say than you might expect.
For more on Maldivian cultural practices, read about Bodu Beru drumming tradition — a musical practice that, like Dhivehi Beys, carries layers of community meaning beneath its surface performance.
Sources and further reading
“Cultural Healing at Nova Maldives: New Dhivehi Beys Rituals at EsKape Spa.” Travel Dreams Magazine, 2025. 🔗
“Maldivian Island Plants: Folklore and Healing.” Maldives My Islands, 2025. 🔗
Related reading on IslandHopperGuides
Sea Turtles and Folklore: The Role of Animals in Maldivian Beliefs — explores how animals feature in Maldivian spiritual and healing frameworks.
Secrets of the Sandbank: Rediscovering the Maldives’ Lost Traditions — examines other vanishing and revived practices across the atolls.
Explore Places to Stay in Maldives
Feel free to zoom in and out of the map to explore the area and find the best place to stay for your trip.