four-legged kava bowls, as well as canoes, clubs and other objects. It was
considered to be a sacred tree so medicines prepared from it were thought
to be very efficacious (against mate ni vanuaas well as mate vayano
illnesses). Decoctions of powdered bark or the juice expressed from the
inner bark is used to treat the aches and pains of rheumatism whereas the
steamed and thus softened bark is used to immobilise and heal bone frac-
tures. Other parts of the plant are used to treat respiratory disorderssuch as
asthma as well as milder colds (and a decoction of leaves was thought to
drive out unwanted spirits).^9
Gasau(Miscanthus floridulus) is a common, perennial reed that is used
as a house-building material as well as a medicine for both internal and
280 | Traditional medicine
Figure 10.4 Kava ceremony.