Kawakawa

Maori name: Kawakawa

Common name: Pepper tree

Botanical name: Macropiper excesum

Origin and general information:
Kawakawa is primarily found around the North Island of New Zealand, but has been found as far south as banks peninsular 1,2. It grows to a height of 14 to 20 feet and has easily distinguishable heart-shaped leaves 2. It also has edible orange fruit which are present most of the year and a narrow seed containing cob.

Rongoa:
Genitourinary complaints: To treat gonorrhoea and syphilis kawakawa leaves and sticks were burnt in a fire with the patient in the smoke then water was placed on the fire steaming the infection 3, 4.  The leaves and twigs could be boiled and given orally as an alternative 5.

Dermatological complaints:
The patient was steamed (see above), or alternatively kawakawa could be boiled with origaonga (free nettle) and then used as a bath 6. Paipai was a common skin condition of the Maori that resembled ringworm 7. Treatment of this ailment with kawakawa was done using steaming (see method above). Boils were treated with kawakawa as it was considered an astringent. Patients would usually be treated with a kawakawa infusion given by mouth night and day for 3 days 12, 13, 14.

Gastrointestinal complaints:
Stomach pains were treated with kawakawa. The leaves and bark were taken orally 7. The root was also chewed to stop cure dysentery 9.

Musculoskeletal complaints:
Kawakawa leaves were boiled and a patient would then bathe in the remaining liquid as a treatment for rheumatism and arthritis 9.

Wounds and bruising:
Kawakawa leaves would be roasted producing a juice which was placed on the wound 10. The wound could also be bound up with fresh leaf/leaves which hastened the healing process 11. To treat bruises, kawakawa leaves were boiled and then placed onto the bruise as hot as the patient could stand 2.

Genitourinary complaints:
An infusion made from boiled leaves was given by mouth as a diuretic 15. Karamu was often added to enhance diuresis 16.

Respiratory complaints:
Maori would frequently have an infusion of kawakawa leaves on the fire in winter to take by mouth to treat chest troubles 17, 18, 19.

Other rongoa uses:
Toothache/swollen mouth or cheeks: leaves were crushed into a poultice and placesd over the affected area 3. Leaves and fruit were also commonly chewed to for toothache 7.

REFERENCES CITED: 

1 - Williams, P.M.E., 1996, Te Rongoa Maori – Maori medicine, Reed (Auckland, New Zealand),

2 - Macdonald, C. 1974, Medicines of the maori. Collins (Auckland and London),

3 - Riley, M, 1994, Maori healing and herbal, Viking Sevenseas New Zealand ltd, 195 - 206

3 – Bright, J. 1841, handbook for emigrants and others, being a history of New Zealand, Henery hooper, London

4 – Bennett, G. 1834, The practice of medicine, surgery etc. among the New Zealanders and natives of some of the Polynesian islands. London medical gazette. Volume 9

5 – White, j, Maori pharmacopoeia, MS papers 75 B35/11, Alexander turnbull library NLNZ

6 - Adams, O. 1945, Maori Medicinal plants, Auckland Botanical Society+

7 – Taylor, R. 1848, A leaf from the natural history of N.Z, NZ spectator & cook’s strait guardian, Wellington

8 – White, J. 1861, lectures on Maori customs and superstitions, Publ. NZ parliamentary house of representatives, wellington

9 – Buck, P. 1940, Letter to DSIR 23/9/1940, Botany division, DSIR, Christchurch

10 – Baucke, W. 1928, The life ad customs of the maorioris.  Memoirs of the Bernice P. Bishop Museum. Hawaii

11 – Glen, R. 1955-62, Articles in “NZ gardener” magazine, Wellington

12 – Best, E, 1905 – 07, The Lore of the Whare-kohanga. Journals of Polynesian society, Volume 14 - 16

13 – Pickmere, K. 1941, Notes, Botany division, DSIR, Christchurch

14 – Kingi, S. 1983, Communications with the author of reference 3.

15 – Neil, J.F.1889 The new Zealand family herb doctor, Mills, Dick, Dunedin

16 – Ahuriri, H & Earnshaw, T.L. 1929, Nga Mate Maori Me Nga Rongoa Maori, In ”Te toa takitini”, dec 1 issue, pages 1955 - 57

17 – Collier, R. 1959, Comments upon some forms of medical treatment prescribed by the Maoris, Historical review, Vol 7:2 Whakatane

18 – Rawson, D.H. 1984, Communications with the author of reference 3

19 – Parsons, C. 1985, Healing practices of the south pacific, the institute for Polynesian studies, University of Hawaii press.