As demonstrated by the COVID-19 pandemic, viruses pose a significant and persistent global health risk. There are currently no approved antivirals for the vast majority of viral infections and in most cases health professionals can only offer supportive care. For viral infections with clinically approved antivirals available, many are at risk of antiviral resistance. Traditional Pacific medicines and rongoā Māori have been used for many centuries and are centred around a more holistic model of healthcare, illustrated by Te Whare Tapa Wha (Durie, 1998) and the Fonofale models (Pulotu-Endemann & Tu'itahi, 2009) which are echoed throughout Pacific cultures. Despite widespread use of traditional Pacific medicines and rongoā Māori, very few studies have examined their antiviral activities.
With consultation and collaboration with our Māori and Samoan partners, this research will investigate rongoā Māori and traditional Samoan medicinal extracts to determine potential antiviral activities against harmful human viruses including influenza virus (flu), and herpes simplex virus (causes cold sores and infection-related blindness). The findings of this study will be shared with traditional medicine practitioners to help guide specific treatments for viral infections to tailor the care they provide.
