Collection: Rongoā Māori Kawakawa

Rongoā is the Māori term for medicines that are produced from native plants in New Zealand. Use of these medicines prevented many sicknesses, and provided remedies for the sick.

In traditional Māori healing, diagnosis involved a holistic approach that included mind, body and spirit - mauri (spark or life force), wairua (spirit), and tapu (natural law).

The fruit, bark and leaves of the kawakawa all have medicinal properties. One of the most important healing herbs used by Maori and still widely used today.

The leaves were chewed or made into an infusion to treat stomach ailments, bladder problems, and the leaves are chewed for toothache.

Externally used to heal cuts, boils, bruises, rheumatism, and nettle stings.

Leaves and bark are boiled in water and the resulting infusion used for the treatment of skin problems such as eczema.