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Story: Rongoā – medicinal use of plants

Kawakawa

Kawakawa

The leaves of the kawakawa plant have a long history of medicinal use. They are still very popular with traditional practitioners for preparing rongoā.

Using this item

Te Ara - The Encyclopedia of New Zealand

by Melanie Lovell-Smith

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How to cite this page

Rhys Jones, Rongoā – medicinal use of plants – Common medicinal plants, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/14593/kawakawa (accessed 8 June 2026).

Story by Rhys Jones, published 2 March 2009.

Comments

Henry Hokianga
22 April 2018
I’d like to know if the kawa kawa plant grows in Australia,or a relative of the plant
dave
11 November 2017
Can drinking Kawakawa juice help in any way with chronic constipation.I'm in my 70's .....Kia ora for any help on this taake.....Kia ora.
newa clarkes
25 September 2017
I am new to the knowledge of kawakawa. While removing and setting up a wheelchair from a van, my little finger was jammed causing the flesh to hang and bleed quite heavy. Not having anything to control the bleeding but my clothing, I wrapped a kawakawa leaf round my finger. To my astonishment, by time I had finished setting up the wheelchair, the bleeding had congealed / stopped. The pain was not as bad. Under my fingernail was near black. (thinking it will come off) For 3 continuous days and night I kept my finger wrapped in kawakawa leaves held with plaster. (Changing as required). The scar disappeared. under my fingernail is only a little black dot to remind me of what the kawakawa can do. I thank our people who have gone on before me for leaving us this precious gift of Maori Rongoa
waimoana
09 September 2016
hi well my name is waimoana and i really do rely on the natural resources because i was born to use the nature.And i was wondering if you could send more information about kawakawa leaves and that thank you if you can sent to this [email protected]
L.M P Tahuri
29 October 2010
Kia ora. My name is Lee, I am a maori wahine. Today the 29th of October 2010 is the very first time that I have tried kawakawa leaves.I became curious about these leaves because my brother spoke about them alot.I heard about them during my years of growing up,no-one showed me what to look for, nor what to do with them. Anyway my brother took me to pick some leaves,anxious to try them I took them home rinsed them of. Due to the aches an pain in my body I decided to put some inside my socks walked around with them for at least an hour.after taking them out what a difference they made.no pain in my feet. They feel really great. Would I use them again??? you bet without heitation.