Night blindness is a serious problem on many atolls because of a lack of vitamin A in diets. Although not commonly used on atolls for this purpose, leaves of albizia, Mexican lilac and leucaena can be mixed in small amounts with traditional fodders as a protein-rich supplement. The leaves, fruits, roots, trunks, and branches of many of the species listed in Table 1 are used in local folk medicine. Recipes are often secret and known only to a few people. Various parts of the coconut tree are commonly used to make medicinal remedies.
Oil extracted from coconut meat is used in message, and is mixed in a drink to treat stomach aches.
Juice extracted from husks and bark fibers is used to treat hepatitis. Juice extracted from screwpine roots and mixed with juice extracted from leaves of other plants is used to treat diabetes. Juice extracted from Indian mulberry leaves is also used to treat diabetes, and children's coughs. Many of the species listed in Table 1 are valued as ornamentals for their shade, flowers, or shape. Hedge panax is a popular hedgerow shrub as it is shade tolerant and can be managed to grow to various heights.