Healing Plants That Connect Seychelles Culture And Nature

On April 17, Seychelles marks Herbalist Day, a date that draws attention to a living archive of botanical knowledge held not in libraries but in the memory of practitioners and the collections of the Seychelles National Herbarium. Charles Morel, the herbarium curator, has voiced concern that this local heritage risks being lost, a sentiment that resonates beyond the scientific community. This article traces the connection between the plants themselves and the cultural practices that have kept their uses alive, from the treatment of common ailments to the role of endemic species in daily life.

The relationship between Seychellois culture and the islands’ flora is not a matter of historical curiosity. It is a practical, evolving system of knowledge that continues to inform how people approach health, cooking, and even sleep. Understanding this system means looking at specific plants, their documented uses, and the challenges facing their preservation.

Understanding Seychelles’ Medicinal Plant Heritage

The Seychelles National Herbarium holds a collection of preserved plant specimens that forms the scientific backbone of this knowledge. Its mission — to promote and share knowledge about plants through documentation, research, and education — directly addresses the gap between traditional practice and modern conservation. The herbarium is not a museum piece; it is a working resource for identifying plants, verifying their properties, and tracking which species are under threat.

One limitation is access. The herbarium is a scientific facility, not a public exhibition space. Visitors interested in its work should contact the institution directly at 2 822 325 or 4 326 066 to arrange a visit or inquire about educational materials. The Biodiversity Centre and the National Parks and Gardens Authority (NPGA) can also provide seedlings of endemic plants for those looking to cultivate species at home — a practical way to engage with this heritage beyond reading about it.

Key Medicinal Plants and Their Uses

The following plants represent a cross-section of the medicinal flora documented by the Seychelles National Herbarium. Each has a specific preparation and application, and each reflects a broader pattern of how Seychellois communities have interacted with their environment.

Catharanthus roseus — Rozanmer, Saponer

This plant is used as a tonic against diabetes and to stimulate the appetite. An infusion of its leaves is drunk in the treatment of colic pains and stomach ache. The dual application — metabolic and digestive — is typical of how these plants are often employed for overlapping conditions. The plant is not endemic to Seychelles but has been naturalised and integrated into local practice.

Pittosporum senacia subsp. wrightii — Bwazoliker

A decoction of the leaves or wood is drunk for heart-related problems and hypertension. The use of both leaf and wood material indicates a knowledge of how different plant parts yield different concentrations of active compounds. This species is one of the endemic plants that contain medicinal properties, and its status as a threatened species raises questions about the sustainability of harvesting.

Dodonaea viscosa — Bwadrenet

This plant is mainly used against impetigo, known locally as Tanbav. The leaves are boiled, often with the leaves of Asplenium nidus (Lang de bef), and the liquid is used to bathe the affected area. An infusion of the leaves is also used for high blood pressure, nausea, and other stomach problems. The combination of external and internal applications for the same plant is a recurring pattern in Seychelles bush medicine.

Eugenia uniflora — Rousay

A decoction of the leaves taken orally is used for diarrhoea and dysentery. An infusion of the leaves is also drunk to relieve stomach ache. The distinction between decoction and infusion — the former involving boiling, the latter steeping — reflects a precise understanding of how heat and time affect the extraction of medicinal compounds.

Practical Planning for Heritage-Focused Travel

Engaging with Seychelles’ medicinal plant heritage requires planning. The key institutions are not located on the main tourist circuit, and the knowledge is not packaged for casual consumption.

Getting There

The Seychelles National Herbarium is based on Mahé, the main island. Public transport and taxis serve the area, but the facility is not signposted for tourists. Contacting the herbarium in advance is essential. The Biodiversity Centre and NPGA offices are similarly located on Mahé and require prior arrangement for seedling purchases or guided visits.

Best Time to Visit

Herbalist Day on April 17 provides a focal point for events and public engagement. Outside of this date, the herbarium operates on a research schedule. The dry months of May to October offer the most reliable conditions for travel between sites on Mahé, though the herbarium itself is an indoor facility not affected by weather.

On the Ground: What to Know Before You Go

Understanding the cultural context of these plants requires more than a list of remedies. The knowledge itself is held by a small number of practitioners, and the infrastructure for sharing it with visitors is limited.

Packing and Preparation

If you plan to visit the herbarium or Biodiversity Centre, bring a notebook and camera (with permission). The specimens and seedlings are not on public display in the way a museum exhibit would be. A small backpack with water and sun protection is standard for Mahé. For recording observations, a compact camera with good macro capability is useful — the Insta360 X5 offers 8K 360° video that can capture both the plant and its environment in a single frame, though its primary value is in post-production flexibility rather than fieldwork speed.

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Local Etiquette and Cultural Context

Bush medicine in Seychelles is not a performance. Practitioners like the late Mr Ferdinand Vidot, regarded as one of the best herbalists in Seychelles, built their reputations on consistent results, not public demonstrations. Visitors should approach this knowledge with the same seriousness. Asking about remedies in a casual or dismissive tone is culturally insensitive. If you are introduced to a practitioner, listen more than you speak.

Safety and Responsible Engagement

Do not self-medicate based on this article or any single source. The plants listed here have documented traditional uses, but individual health conditions, dosages, and interactions with pharmaceuticals are not addressed in the available research. The herbarium’s role is documentation and education, not clinical advice. If you are interested in the therapeutic potential of these plants, consult a qualified healthcare provider familiar with both conventional and traditional medicine.

Healing Plants That Connect Seychelles Culture And Nature — Your Questions Answered

What is the Seychelles National Herbarium?

It is a collection of preserved plant specimens with a mission to promote and share knowledge about plants through documentation, research, and education. Charles Morel serves as the herbarium curator.

The herbarium is not a public exhibition space. Visitors should contact the facility at 2 822 325 or 4 326 066 to arrange access.

Can I buy endemic plants in Seychelles?

Yes. The Biodiversity Centre and the National Parks and Gardens Authority (NPGA) can provide seedlings of endemic plants. These institutions are the legal and ethical sources for cultivation.

Harvesting from the wild is discouraged because many endemic plants are threatened species and can take up to 15 years to reach maturity.

Is bush medicine still practised in Seychelles?

Yes, but the number of recognised practitioners has declined. Mr Ferdinand Vidot was one of the best-known herbalists, and his death represents a loss of concentrated knowledge.

The tradition continues through families and through the documentation work of the National Herbarium, but it is not a widespread public practice.

What is the most common medicinal plant in Seychelles?

Catharanthus roseus (Rozanmer, Saponer) is widely used as a tonic against diabetes and to stimulate appetite. Its leaves are also used in an infusion for colic pains and stomach ache.

It is not endemic but has been naturalised and integrated into local practice more thoroughly than many introduced species.

Are there any risks associated with Seychelles bush medicine?

Yes. The research available documents traditional uses but does not provide clinical dosage guidelines or information on drug interactions. Self-medication is not advised.

Additionally, some endemic plants are threatened, and overharvesting for medicinal use can contribute to their decline. Always source plants legally.

The connection between Seychelles culture and its healing plants is not a static tradition preserved in amber. It is a working system of knowledge that faces real pressures — the loss of expert practitioners, the slow growth rates of endemic species, and the gap between scientific documentation and public awareness. For the traveller willing to engage on its own terms, through the herbarium and the Biodiversity Centre rather than through packaged experiences, this heritage offers something rare: a chance to see how a society has learned to read its environment with precision. The plants are still there. The question is whether the knowledge will survive alongside them. For a deeper look at how these traditions fit into the broader cultural landscape, the healing traditions of Seychelles and their natural remedies provide further context.

Sources and further reading

Herbalist day: Herbarium curator hopes that our local heritage is not lost forever. Seychelles Nation, 2024.

The Healing Traditions of Seychelles: Exploring Bush Medicine & Natural Remedies. IslandHopperGuides.