Traditional Therapies Used to Manage Diabetes and Related Complications in Mauritius: A Comparative Ethnoreligious Study
Table 7
Inventory of animal species used to manage diabetes and related complications.
Class
Scientific name
Local name
Indication
Part used
Method of preparation and administration
RFC
Actinopterygii
Salmo salar
Saumon
Type 2 diabetes
Whole body
A dish of the whole body is prepared and it is taken once per week.
0.12
0.04
0.00
0.08
0.00
Anguilla japonica
Anguille
Neuropathic pain
Skin
The skin is peeled and dried in bright sunlight. The dried skin is then placed in a bottle of oil. Massage the painful area daily using this oil.
0.03
0.02
0.00
0.01
0.00
Gastropoda
Helix aspersa
Courpa
Cataract
Whole body
The whole body is crushed to obtain white liquid and 2 drops of the liquid are instilled in the eye.
0.02
0.00
0.00
0.02
0.00
Insecta
Apis mellifera
Mouche di miel
Cataract
Honey
A small amount is instilled in the eye daily.
0.04
0.01
0.00
0.03
0.00
Periplaneta americana
Cancrela
Gangrene
Whole body
Prepare an infusion with 4 cockroaches and 1 handful of Petroselinum crispum. Filter in a cloth and drink 1 cup daily.
0.03
0.00
0.00
0.02
0.01
Mammalia
Tenrec ecaudatus
Tang
Renal failure
Whole body
A dish of the body is prepared using Cinnamomum verum, Syzygium aromaticum, Murraya koenigii L., and 1 cup of white wine. The dish is taken once per week.
0.03
0.00
0.00
0.03
0.00
Rattus rattus
Le rat
Wound
Whole body
The animal is placed in a bottle of coconut oil for 1-2 days and the oil is then applied on the wound.
0.02
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.02
RFC: relative frequency of citation, : cultural importance index among the Hindu community, : cultural importance index among the Muslim community, : cultural importance index among the Christian community, and : cultural importance index among the Buddhist community.