Wairaakau Flora Koromiko

Koromiko: Hebe stricta

nMuscles: general aches and pains – put leaves into hot bath

n

Skin: boils, abscesses, ulcers, acne and skin infections, wounds – boil tips in water use as a poultice or a wash

n

Brain: headaches – boil tips in water use as a tea

n

Digestive: stops diarrhoea, a laxative for constipation, soothes gastric problems – chew and eat tips only

nLungs: gets rid of phlegm – chew tips or have as a tea

n
Blood: aids in production of blood and purifier – chew tips or have as a tea
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Fevers: reduces fevers - chew tips or have as a tea

Wairaakau Flora Kawakawa

Kawakawa: Macropiper excelsum Pepper tree

Most commonly used rongoa, easily obtained

Skin: Nappy rash, eczema, psoriasis and scabies acts as an anti-inflammatory – bruise leaves and apply to skin

nDigestive system: Indigestion and stomach ulcers, a soothing agent that protects the mucous membranes and relieves irritation – boil water, add crushed leaves stand for 10 minutes then drink as tea
 Bones and Muscle: muscle and joint pain and swelling acts as an anti-inflammatory – boil crushed leaves in water, use as a poultice
Bowel: Irritable Bowel Syndrome and ulcerated conditions acts as a soothing agent that protects the mucous membranes and relieve irritation – boil crushed leaves stand for 10 minutes use as a tea
nBlood: Purifies, rich in iron and blood disorders – prepare as above
nLungs: inhaled for Asthma, tuberculosis (TB), coughs, colds, bronchitis – prepare as a tea
nKidneys and Liver: Flushes and detoxifies - prepare as a tea
 nFatigue or feeling run down: A natural energiser – have as a tea or cold drink
 First Aid: Bark used for dressing of wounds, swelling, lumps, abscesses and tumours

Wairaakau Flora Harakeke



Harakeke

nHarakeke: Phormium tenax New Zealand flax/alovera
n

Skin: Boils (drawing properties), burns acne and ulcers – gel used as a poultice
n
Digestive system: (very small amounts) Draws toxins from the body into digestive tract for excretion and acts as a laxative – drink extracted gel with fruit juice

Blood: Purifies for gangrene, sexually transmitted diseases, and cancer – poultice (pulp root),
n

Kidneys: Diuretic – drink extracted gel with fruit juice

Wairaakau Flora Karaeo

Karaeo



Karaeo: Ripogonum scandens Supple jack vine

n

Skin: wounds, burns, acne, eczema, ulcers, npsoriasis and scabies – use fluid from young shoots for wounds and burns. Crush root, apply directly to bleeding a wound or skin problems or crush root, place in water, boil and drink as tea or cold with fruit juice

n
Kidneys: fluid retention (flushes kidney) – make a tea or have with fruit juice

Liver: detox tonic – flushes out toxins

n
Blood: cleanser an energy booster after surgery, a cold or the flu or antibiotics - crush young roots  

and berries add fruit juice

nDigestive: hydration, get rid of worms, laxative - chew young shoots or drink fresh sap

Muscles: rheumatic and aching swollen joints - pulp young shoots apply as a warm/cold poultice

Wairaakau Flora Horopito

Horopito: Pseudowintera axillaris Pepper tree

Skin: Wounds, rashes, sores, psoriasis, eczema, burns and boils – Chew leaf use as a poultice, bruise leaves soak in water or use sap as a wash, inner bark boiled apply warm to burns

Muscles: Cramps in legs, feet and arms - make hot tea with leaves or bark

n

Digestive: chronic or acute stomach problems, diarrhoea - boil inner bark and drink as a hot/cold tea or with fruit juice

nBlood: Anaemia – boil inner bark use as hot/cold tea or with fruit juice

n

Lungs: asthma, in the recovery of  fevers, colds, flu, inflammation, bronchitis and pneumonia – use as above

nBrain: headaches – cold tea or with fruit juice

Pain reliever: has sedative effect – hot/cold tea or with fruit juice

Wairaakau Flora Houhere

Houhere: Houheria populnea Lacebark or ribbon wood

n
Has the same elements as slippery elm
n
Skin: eczema, psoriasis, scabies, abscesses and tumours (anti-inflammatory) – soak bark in water, use as a wash or lotion or tease out ribbon wood jackets use as a poultice/dressing

nMuscles: muscle, joint pain and swelling – prepare as above

nDigestive and Bowel Syndrome: ulcers (soothing agent) protects the mucous membranes and relieves irritation in the bowel - soak bark in cold water, have as a cold drink

n

Detoxifier: makes you sweat when you drink it –prepare as above

Wairaakau Flora Karamu

Let us learn from each other and share our thoughts and knowledge with each other.

Warning: Only positive and constructive comments will only be posted on

waitapuretreat@gmail.com with the writers permission

However, if you do the Rongoa Maori Courses that I have at Waitapu Retreat, then you will learn so much more than what you can read in a book, see on Telvision, read or watch over the internet, or just choosing a Native plant to grow in you garden. You will learn and experience "Taha Wairua" (the World of both Physical and Spiritual Connections and Mauri Ora (Wellness of the life forces) connecting with you personally.

Karamu: Coprosma robusta

A Highly Spiritual Plant as a medium to spiritual powers

Bones: Warm poultices to sooth broken bones (only if skin not broken)

Muscles: Cold poultices to sooth aching and painful muscles

Skin: Boil the leaves let everything cool down then use as cool
wash for festered sores

Kidney and bladder: Boil the leaves and drink the juice this acts
as a diuretic

Lungs: Boil leaves and branches then drink as a tonic for coughs and colds

Pancreas: Place leaves in boiling water in a cup cover the cup for
20 minutes then drink the juice Great for Diabetes, a
natural sweetener, helps with blood sugars