Ancestral Medicine

Ancient Samoan healing wisdom passed down through generations, connecting body, mind, and spirit through the power of nature and traditional knowledge.

Philosophy of Traditional Healing

The core principles that guide Samoan healing practices and understanding of health.

Holistic Approach

Treating the whole person - body, mind, and spirit - not just symptoms.

Example: A headache might be treated with herbs, massage, and prayer together.
Connection to Nature

Understanding that human health is interconnected with the natural world.

Example: Healing practices align with natural cycles and environmental harmony.
Family and Community

Healing is supported by family involvement and community strength.

Example: Healing ceremonies often include family members and community support.
Spiritual Foundation

Acknowledging the spiritual dimension of health and healing.

Example: Prayer and spiritual guidance are integral to all healing practices.

Sacred Healing Plants

The medicinal plants that form the foundation of Samoan traditional healing.

Lauti
Spathodea campanulata
Medicinal Use:

Wound healing and anti-inflammatory

Preparation:

Leaves crushed and applied as poultice

Used by warriors for battle wounds
Mamala
Syzygium corynocarpum
Medicinal Use:

Cold and fever treatment

Preparation:

Bark boiled into tea

Sacred plant used in healing ceremonies
Fue
Citrullus lanatus
Medicinal Use:

Digestive health and detoxification

Preparation:

Seeds ground and mixed with water

Traditionally used after long sea voyages
Ava
Piper methysticum
Medicinal Use:

Stress relief and spiritual connection

Preparation:

Root pounded and mixed with water

Central to ceremonial and social gatherings

Traditional Healing Practices

The time-honored techniques and ceremonies that promote healing and wellness.

Fofo Massage

Traditional Samoan massage using coconut oil and specific pressure points.

Benefits:

Relieves muscle tension, improves circulation, promotes healing

Duration:

30-60 minutes

Practitioner:

Fofo practitioner (trained family member)

Lomi Lomi

Gentle, flowing massage technique that releases emotional and physical blockages.

Benefits:

Emotional release, stress reduction, energy balancing

Duration:

45-90 minutes

Practitioner:

Elder healer or family matriarch

Herbal Steam Therapy

Steam treatment using medicinal herbs to cleanse and heal the body.

Benefits:

Respiratory health, skin cleansing, spiritual purification

Duration:

20-30 minutes

Practitioner:

Traditional healer

Prayer and Blessing

Spiritual healing through prayer and traditional blessing ceremonies.

Benefits:

Spiritual protection, emotional healing, community support

Duration:

15-30 minutes

Practitioner:

Family elder or spiritual leader

Keepers of Healing Knowledge

The respected healers and practitioners who preserve and share traditional wisdom.

Healer Photo

Tama'ita'i Sulu

Master Healer

60+ years
Specialty:

Herbal medicine and traditional diagnosis

Story:

Learned from her grandmother, can identify over 200 medicinal plants.

Healer Photo

Mata'i Tama'ita'i

Spiritual Healer

45+ years
Specialty:

Prayer healing and ceremonial practices

Story:

Known for her powerful healing prayers and connection to ancestral spirits.

Healer Photo

Tufuga Fofo

Massage Master

35+ years
Specialty:

Traditional massage and physical healing

Story:

Trained in multiple family healing lineages, teaches youth traditional techniques.

Seasonal Harvesting Wisdom

Understanding the natural cycles that guide traditional medicine harvesting and preparation.

Rainy Season (Nov-Apr)

Plants:

Lauti leaves, Mamala bark, Fue seeds

Practices:

Best time for harvesting leafy medicines and preparing remedies

Healing ceremonies often coincide with full moons

Dry Season (May-Oct)

Plants:

Ava roots, Tree barks, Dried herbs

Practices:

Ideal for root harvesting and medicine preparation

Community healing gatherings during this season

Preservation & Education Efforts

Our initiatives to preserve traditional healing knowledge and pass it to future generations.

Medicinal Garden Project

Cultivating and protecting traditional medicinal plants in Alega.

Active
Progress80%
Impact: 50+ medicinal plant species preserved

Healer Apprenticeship Program

Training young people in traditional healing practices under elder guidance.

Growing
Progress70%
Impact: 15 apprentices currently training

Oral History Documentation

Recording healing knowledge and stories from elder practitioners.

Ongoing
Progress65%
Impact: 100+ hours of healing wisdom documented

Community Healing Workshops

Teaching basic herbal remedies and self-care practices to families.

Established
Progress85%
Impact: 300+ families trained annually

Preserve Our Healing Heritage

Join us in preserving traditional Samoan healing wisdom. Your support helps maintain medicinal plant gardens, support elder healers, and ensure this ancient knowledge continues to heal future generations.