Traditional remedies used in the western Pacific for the treatment of ciguatera poisoning.

Ciguatera is a specific type of food poisoning associated with the ingestion of tropical fish, which, although normally safe for consumption, may at times contain high amounts of ciguatoxin, as well as other chemically related toxins. Widespread in tropical regions where coral reefs are present, ciguatera fish poisoning constitutes a major hindrance for local fishing industries, local economies and foreign trade. Because no symptomatic treatment has been totally satisfactory, folk remedies remain of great interest. In this paper, a list of plants used in treating ciguatera poisoning in the Western Pacific region is presented, with emphasis on species whose exact utilization (part of plant used, preparation, dosage) has been determined.