Kahikatea

Maori name: Kahikatea

Common name: White pine

Botanical name: Podocarpus dacrydiodes

Origin and general information:
The Kahikatea tree grows to a height of between 80 and 100 feet in swampy areas throughout the North and South Islands of New Zealand1.

Rongoa:
Wounds and bruising: The leaves of the kahikatea tree were boiled and then applied to the affected area to treat bruising2.

Genitourinary complaints: The berries of the kahikatea tree have diuretic properties and boiled leaves were taken for urinary complaints3, 4.

Bleeding mouths: The hard wood of the kahikatea tree can be used to relieve pain and stop bleeding of the mouth5. The wood is beaten until bruised then added to a soapy water solution and sweetened with sugar before it is given by mouth5.

Alternative Uses:
Many kahikatea trees symbolise life, and when a Maori child was born their naval string (umbilical cord) was buried and a kahikatea sapling was planted above the burial site6. Also, the hard wood of the kahikatea tree was used as a comb and as a needle for tattooing7.

REFERENCES CITED:

1 - Macdonald C. 1974 Medicines of The Maori. William Collins LTD.

2 - Williams P. Te Rongoa Maori Maori Medicine. Reed publishing. 1996.

3 - Rees G. 1851 Further Papers Relative To The Affairs Of New Zealand. British Parliamentary Papers Vol. 9

4 - Goldie W. 1905 Maori Medical Lore. Trans. Proc. NZ Inst. Vol 37 1-120

5 - Anon M. 1900 Na Nga Tohunga Maori te Tiupiri. Vol. 3, No. 74, March issue.

6 - Gudgeon W, 1888 Nga Tangata Maori. The Monthly Review Vol 1. Wellington

7 - White J. 1874 Te Rou Or The Maori At Home. Sampson, Low, Marston, Low and Searle, London.