Kawakawa : The Plant with a lot of Heart
Kawakawa is a hot topic word. Seen as the key ingredient in many face creams, healing balms, body lotions and lip balms. The plant is in our teas, our tonics and in the tinctures.
Along with the silver fern, Kawakawa is one of the most recognisable and famous plants in New Zealand.
It has a rich history both as a healing plant as well as a plant used in rite and tradition. Walking through the New Zealand bush, it will be one plant you will likely see and be able to identify with a little help.
Read on to learn more about the kawakawa plant in New Zealand and why it is so special.
Identification
The plant is easily identifiable. Look out for big green heart-shaped leaves. Many of the leaves may be riddled with holes. This is because the Kawakawa looper caterpillar likes to munch on the kawakawa. The plant can grow up to six metres tall.
The kawakawa plant produces fruit in the warmer months. These are erect and thin. The fruit on the female plant, because there are female and male plants, turns orange. It tastes like rock melon with a slightly peppery taste.
The kawakawa is mostly found in lowland forests and on the edges of streams and embankments and around the coast. It prefers warmer climes, so is not too widespread on the South Island.
The History of Kawakawa Plant
The fruit, bark, leaves and roots were all considered to possess medicinal properties, but the plant has spiritual significance as well. The heart-shaped leaves were a Māori symbol for courage and fortitude, while a branch of kawakawa laid on the marae was regarded as an aituā, signifying mourning and death.
The kawakawa was worn around the head as a wreath during the tangihanga, a traditional mourning rite. It is used in other rites in Māori culture, such as the launch of canoes, blessing war parties before battle, the opening of houses and the dedication of children in the tohi ceremony. A sprig of kawakawa would be placed under the bed of some adults before intercourse to act as a good luck charm for conception.
Medicinal Uses of Kawakawa
Kawakawa's value can also be found in its medicinal uses and its use in Rongoā.
All the plant was and still is used for medicine. The leaves were seeped or boiled, drunk as a treatment for gonorrhea, worms and problems with the chest, kidney and bladder. The drink was also seen as an aphrodisiac. Kawakawa is also a diuretic and is said to help clear toxins from the body.
Eating kawakawa leaves causes a numbing effect on the mouth and was used as a way to relieve toothache and sore throats.
Kawakawa is said to be good for digestion as well as cardiovascular health. Place the kawakawa leaves, bruised and torn so the juices are running, on a sore or rash, to help alleviate pain or itchiness.
How to make your own Kawakawa Tea.
The first step to making your own kawakawa tea is to harvest the leaves. There are some protocols that should be followed in order to be respectful. Look for the leaves with the spoon-like shape at the base. This indicates this leaf has bred and it is the end of the line. Look for the leave with holes, the holier the better. The caterpillar chooses the leaves with the more potent flavour.
Do not pick all from one plant or branch, spread it out. Only take what you need. You only need around two or three leaves for a good cup of tea. Wash the leaves with cold water to get rid of any dirt or insects.
Bruise the leaves a little, this breaks down the structure of the leaf which releases a lot of the flavour. After, put in a pot of water, boil for around ten minutes, and then strain off. Drink your tea with some lemon or ginger if you wish.