Māori Herbs

The traditional Māori healing system is known as Rongoā Māori, and it is a holistic practice involving physical, spiritual, and herbal remedies.

Māori utilized over 200 native plants (Rongoā Rākau) for medicinal purposes.

Here is a list of 20 well-known traditional Māori plants and their common uses.

Name (Māori)	Common Name	Parts Used	Traditional Uses (Rongoā)
1. Kawakawa	Māori Pepper Tree	Leaves, Bark, Root	Anti-inflammatory, analgesic. Used for cuts, wounds, skin conditions, stomach aches, and to ease the pain of toothache (by chewing the leaves). Infusions used as a general tonic.
2. Harakeke	New Zealand Flax	Root, Leaves, Gel (Muka)	Antiseptic, healing. The gel from the leaves is used for burns, cuts, boils, and wounds. Root boiled for constipation, diarrhoea, and as a “blood purifier.” Leaves used as splints or bandages.
3. Mānuka	Tea Tree	Leaves, Bark, Gum, Oil	Antiseptic, antimicrobial. Used for fevers, colds, coughs, and kidney problems. Bark decoction is a sedative and used for diarrhoea/dysentery. Oil is a potent antiseptic.
4. Kānuka	White Tea Tree	Leaves, Bark	Similar to Mānuka. Used for aches and pains (rheumatism), to reduce fever, and in steam baths for chest complaints.
5. Koromiko	Hebe	Young Shoots, Leaves	Astringent, for digestive issues. Young leaves are chewed for diarrhoea, dysentery, and to support kidney and bladder function. Poultices used for ulcers.
6. Kūmarahou	Gumdigger’s Soap	Leaves	Respiratory relief. Infused leaves used as a tonic to treat coughs, colds, asthma, and bronchitis. Also used as a blood purifier and for skin disorders.
7. Pūhā	Sow Thistle	Leaves, Stems	Tonic, diuretic. Boiled leaves eaten as a vegetable to treat rheumatism, boils, and general malaise (as a blood purifier/tonic).
8. Kōwhai	Kōwhai Tree	Bark, Juice	Wound healing. Bark is heated and made into a poultice for wounds, cuts, and sore backs. Juice of the bark used to treat wounds and skin diseases. (Note: Seeds are poisonous).
9. Rātā	Rātā Vine / Tree	Bark, Nectar	Diarrhoea/Dysentery, healing. The inner bark steeped in water is drunk for digestive issues. Bark poultice applied to sores, wounds, and abscesses. Nectar used for sore throats.
10. Kōpata	Native Geranium	Leaves, Whole Plant	Used externally for eye trouble and to reduce swelling.
11. Ponga	Silver Fern	Frond Base	The soft inner part of the frond base was used as a wound dressing and applied to skin burns and wounds to stop bleeding.
12. Mamaku	Black Tree Fern	Pith, Bark	Bark used as a poultice for boils, sores, and swollen feet. The inner pith used to treat diarrhoea and dysentery.
13. Horoeka	Lancewood	Bark	The bark was boiled and the liquid used for cuts and wounds.
14. Tī Kōuka	Cabbage Tree	Shoots, Roots	The shoots and roots were eaten to treat stomach issues, including diarrhoea and dysentery.
15. Māhoe	Whiteywood	Inner Bark, Leaves	Inner bark used to treat burns. Infusions of the leaves were used to help with rheumatic pain.
16. Pukatea	Pukatea Tree	Bark	Analgesic. The bark was steeped in water and used for chronic pain, toothache, and various ulcers.
17. Karamu	Coprosma	Leaves, Bark	Leaves were crushed and applied to wounds and cuts. Decoction of the bark used for aches, pains, and colds.
18. Whau	Corkwood	Bark	Used in steam baths for broken bones, and to treat scabies and skin conditions.
19. Titoki	Titoki Tree	Bark, Leaves, Oil	Infusion of the bark and leaves used internally as a tonic. Oil from the seeds was used to treat dry skin.
20. Rimu	Red Pine	Inner Bark, Gum	Inner bark was beaten into a pulp and applied to burns. The gum was also used for cuts and wounds.

It is important to remember that Rongoā is a holistic system that includes more than just the plants. Traditional practitioners (Tohunga or Kaimirimiri) also use spiritual practices (Karakia) and massage (Mirimiri or Romiromi). When using traditional plant remedies, it is crucial to observe proper protocols (Tikanga) for gathering, preparing, and applying the plants, as some parts of certain native plants can be toxic if not used correctly.