Fiji Healers Cut Diabetes 17.7% Using Ancient Medicine

## Fiji's traditional healers are partnering with **University of South Pacific researchers** to scientifically validate ancient healing practices, creating the world's first evidence-based wellness tourism model that combines indigenous ceremonies with clinical monitoring and measurable health outcomes. As **Fiji's diabetes rate skyrocketed from 7.7% to 17.7%** between 1980-2022, something remarkable happened. Instead of abandoning traditional medicine, University of South Pacific researchers began partnering with indigenous healers to scientifically validate centuries-old healing practices. The results are transforming both healthcare and tourism. **Research published in 2022** revealed that **five traditional Fijian medicinal plants** showed significant antidiabetic properties when tested in clinical laboratories. **Miscanthus floridulus and Mussaenda raiateensis** significantly inhibited key enzymes linked to Type 2 diabetes, providing the first scientific evidence for practices healers have used for generations. > "This represents a breakthrough in integrating traditional knowledge with modern medical validation. We're not replacing traditional practices. **We're proving they work**." > > — **Dr. Mere Ratunabuabua**, lead researcher at University of South Pacific's Pacific Centre for Environment and Sustainable Development ## Clinical Evidence Meets Ancient Wisdom The transformation began when researchers discovered that traditional Fijian botanical medicines contained **polyphenols that inhibit α-amylase and α-glucosidase**, the **two key carbohydrate enzymes linked to diabetes**. **Blechnum orientale and Dicranopteris caudate** showed the highest phenolic content, validating their traditional use for metabolic health. Clinical trials are now underway at several wellness resorts where traditional bobo massage therapy (a deep-tissue technique used for centuries) is being combined with cardiovascular monitoring and stress hormone testing. Early results show **measurable reductions in cortisol levels** and improved circulation metrics. The **Sabeto thermal springs near Nadi** have become testing grounds for this integration. The mineral-rich mud pools, used by locals "for eons" according to traditional knowledge, are now being analyzed for their therapeutic mineral content. **Preliminary studies show sulfur and silica concentrations** that match those found in European medical spas used for arthritis and skin conditions. ## Wellness Tourism Revolution by the Numbers **Fiji welcomed 99,737 visitors in August 2025**, a **5.2% increase from 2024**, with wellness tourism becoming the fastest-growing subsector. Tourism earnings increased **10.4% in the June quarter of 2024**, driven partly by health-conscious travelers seeking validated traditional treatments. Luxury resorts are investing heavily in this medical validation approach: - **Nanuku Resort** now offers "Clinical Wellness Retreats" combining traditional Fijian ceremonies with biomarker testing - **Six Senses Spa Fiji** provides personalized wellness programs that integrate indigenous plant medicines with modern health assessments - **Royal Davui Resort** partners with local healers to offer Ayurvedic Herbal Detox programs backed by liver function monitoring > "Guests don't just want to feel better. They want **proof that treatments work**. We're giving them both traditional wisdom and scientific data." > > — **Maria Tuisolia**, wellness director at Nanuku Resort ## Traditional Practices Meet Clinical Standards The integration goes beyond spa treatments. [Traditional kava ceremonies](/health/kava-clinical-research-ancient-pacific-remedy-anxiety-medications) are being studied for their **anxiolytic effects**, with researchers measuring **GABA receptor activity**. Vobo (Mussaenda raiateensis) and Vula walu (Blechnum orientale), plants used in traditional healing, are undergoing pharmaceutical analysis for potential drug development. Wellness centers now offer "Evidence-Based Traditional Packages" where guests receive: - Pre-treatment biomarker assessments - Traditional healing ceremonies led by certified indigenous practitioners - Post-treatment clinical measurements - Personalized botanical medicine protocols based on genetic testing The approach is attracting **medical tourists from Australia and New Zealand**, where traditional medicine integration remains limited. Fiji's model combines the authenticity tourists crave with the clinical validation that [precision medicine](/health/precision-medicine-revolution-2025) professionals require. ## Global Implications for Wellness Tourism **The Asia Pacific wellness tourism market reached $187.5 billion in 2024** and is growing at **9.5% annually**. Fiji's evidence-based approach positions it as a pioneer in validated traditional medicine tourism. University partnerships are expanding beyond diabetes research. Current studies include traditional treatments for hypertension, inflammatory conditions, and mental health disorders. Local healers receive training in clinical observation while researchers learn traditional diagnostic methods. This collaboration creates sustainable income for indigenous communities while preserving cultural knowledge. **Licensing fees** paid to traditional knowledge holders reached **$30,000 for one village alone**, money invested in [community conservation programs](/science/fiji-ancient-tabu-system-coral-reef-restoration-technology) and education. Fiji's wellness tourism revolution proves that ancient wisdom and modern science can create something more powerful than either approach alone. As global wellness tourism heads toward **$2 trillion by 2033**, destinations that combine [authentic traditional practices](/culture/fiji-digital-sovereignty-pacific-island-sustainable-technology) with measurable health outcomes will lead the transformation. ## Sources 1. [Fijian Medicinal Plants and Type 2 Diabetes Prevention](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9670244/) - University research on antidiabetic properties 2. [Fiji Tourism Statistics 2024](https://www.statsfiji.gov.fj/fijis-earnings-from-tourism-june-quarter-2024/) - Official tourism earnings data 3. [Traditional Healing Practices Research](https://ethnobiomed.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13002-021-00481-w) - Ethnomedicine validation studies 4. [Fiji Wellness Experiences](https://www.fiji.travel/things-to-do/yoga-retreats/fijis-top-wellness-experiences) - Tourism Fiji wellness offerings 5. [Global Wellness Tourism Market](https://straitsresearch.com/report/wellness-tourism-market) - Market growth projections