Natures Bounty, NZ Native and Exotic Herbal Remedies Database

Natures Bounty
NZ Natural & Native Herbal Remedies

SUMMARY OF NEW ZEALAND NATIVE HERBS AND THEIR USES

AKEAKE -- Dodonoea viscosa
For fevers, colic, gout, rheumatism, menstrual haemorrhage, menorrhagia,
infertility, promotes lactation, tooth-ache, constipation and dysentery,
haemorrhoids and sore throats. Externally used to stop bleeding.

HANGEHANGE -- Geniostoma ligustrifolium
Internally for itching skin and externally for rheumatism, sores and skin diseases.

HARAKEKE -- Phormium tenax New Zealand Flax
Regarded as the "aloe of NZ". Draws abscesses.
Apply to burns, wounds and sores that are slow to heal.
Useful for diarrhoea and constipation and digestive disorders.
Also for ringworm, rheumatism, chilblains, varicose ulcers and irregular menstruation.

NZ FLAX SEED OIL, Mahi Harakeke -- Phormium tenax New Zealand Flax
Coronary Heart Disease:
A large number of studies have shown that oils containing Omega-3,
can have a number of beneficial effects in the prevention and treatment of coronary heart disease.
Omega-3's have been shown to reduce the cholesterol ratio, blood pressure, triglyceride levels,
platelet aggregation (blood cloning tendency),
artheroscierosis (plaque formation) and cardiac arrhythmia.

Cancer:
Omega-3 has been shown to selectively kill human cancer cells in tissue culture studies,
without harming normal cells.
Clinical studies are confirming the potential of high doses of Omega-3 to reduce tumor growth.

Arthritis:
Several double blind studies have shown that when oils rich in Omega-3
are taken as a dietary supplement, about two thirds of patients are able to discontinue their
non steroidal drugs and a further 20 % can cut down their drug use.

Skin Problems:
Skin conditions such as psoriasis, acne, eczema and other allergic conditions,
and dry skin have all been shown to be partly related to. Omega-3 deficiency.

Stress:
Omega-3 fatty acids are the precursors for the Series 3 prostaglandin's,
which regulate immune function and are responsible for reversing the body's physiological response to stress.
Some clinical studies have indicated a sense of calmness in response to Omega-3 '5.

HINAU -- Elaeocarpus dentatus
For diarrhoea, and stomach problems.
Externally for severe skin disease, rashes and inflammations.

HOROEKA -- Pseudo panax crassiflorius (Lancewood)
Adrenal Tonic, Laxative,
For difficult adolescents.
Externally for ulcers and baldness.

HOROPITO -- Pseudowintera colorata Pepper tree
Most well known for its action against candida.
Known as the "Bushman's pain killer".
Useful for toothache and stomach ache.
Also for burns, rashes, scars and skin eruptions, desensitises sweet tastes.

HOUHERE -- Hoheria populnea Lacebark
Soothes irritated or inflamed tissue especially digestive tract.
For colds, bronchitis, asthma, influenza, sore throats, coughs, fevers, sore eyes and burns.
Brings on perspiration when poisoned by Karaka, Katipo or Tutu.

KAHIKATEA -- Dacrycarpus Dacrydiodes White Pine
Used internally as a tonic and for urinary complaints.
Externally for bruises.

KAMAHI/TAWHERO-- Weinmannia racemosa/Weinmannia silvicola
For abdominal and thoracic pains, baby's thrush, constipation.
Tonic.
Externally for open sores, burns and cuts.

KARAMU -- Coprosma robusta
Traditionally used for bladder stoppage and inflammation, stomach ache and fevers.
The coprosmas help regulate prostaglandin activity. (Prostaglandins are local hormone regulators.)

KAREAO -- Ripogonum scandens Supplejack
Useful for wounds, rheumatism, bowel complaints, fever, debility and skin diseases.
Diuretic.

KAURI -- Agathis australis
Gives strength to deal with destructive energies.
Diseases of the mucous membranes.
Tonic.

KAWAKAWA -- Macropiper excelsum Pepper Tree
A blood purifier and tonic its bitter properties help urinary complaints
and digestive disorders, especially constipation.
Also useful for complaints of the kidneys and skin, especially boils.
Stimulates the salivary glands and helps toothache and rheumatism.

KOHEKOHE -- Dysoxylum spectabile Native Cedar
Bitter tonic. Blood purifier and stomachic.
Useful for colds and fevers, lung and/or uterine haemorrhaging, piles, spasms.
Decreases milk flow.

KOHUHU -- Pittosporum tenuifolium
For halitosis and colds.
Externally good for breast and chest, scabies, eczema and skin problems.

KOROKIO -- Corokia buddleiodes
Some claim instant relief from stomach ache also for stomach ulcers.

KOROMIKO -- Hebe salicifolia
Famous for its use in treating dysentery.
Stimulates appetite.
Facilitates easy labour.
Useful for piles, bruises, varicose veins, headaches and bladder troubles.
Promotes bile flow.

KOWHAI -- Sophora microphylla
Soothes itching skin, shingles and ringworm.
Relieves abdominal pain, colds, sore throats and toothache.
Purgative. Tonic.
Helps knit broken limbs.
Back pains.
Dandruff.

KUMARAHOU -- Pomaderris kumeraho
Well known for its relief for all chest complaints; bronchitis, coughs, colds and asthma.
Benefits the kidneys and the skin, especially for children.
Blood purifier.

MAHOE -- Melicytus ramiflorus Whitey wood
For diarrhoea, amenorrhoea.
Externally for rheumatism, scabies, wounds, burns and ulcers.
Facilitates menstrual blood flow.
Avoid during pregnancy.

MAIRE TAWAKE -- (swamp maire) -- Syzygium maire
Related to Jambul (Syzygium cumini) which is well-known in regulating blood sugar levels.
This herb was used by pioneer Suzanne Aubert to assist asthma and other respiratory complaints.
Also used externally for ringworm.

MAKOMAKO -- Aristotelia serrata Wineberry
Reduces fever and relieves rheumatic joints.
Externally for burns, boils and sore eyes.

MANAWA -- Avicennia marina Mangrove
Not commonly used traditionally.
Homoeopathically induces relaxation and sense of well-being.

MANONO -- Coprosma grandifolia
For cystitis, anxiety states.
Helps knit broken bones.
For scabies, eczema and itchy skin, cuts, bruises, festered sores, sprains and aching joints.

MANUKA -- Leptospermum scoparium Tea Tree -- see Tea Tree Oil
Its astringent properties relieve diarrhoea, useful for digestive problems, colic,
urinary complaints and skin conditions especially wounds and sores.
Also for inflamed breasts.
Reduces fevers, sedative.
Tea Tree is also a traditional Australian remedy for cuts, bites, and burns.
Studies have found Tea Tree Oil effective against vaginal thrush,
acne, impetigo and fungal nail infections.
Found to be effective against the group of fungi which cause athletes foot.
Effective against Acne vulgaris at 5% concentration.

MATAI -- Prumnopitys taxifolia
For stomach pains, lymphatic swellings.
Antiseptic.
Capillary fragility.
Hormonal balance.

MINGIMINGI -- Cyathodes juniperina
For asthma, menstrual and alimentary disorders, kidney tonic.
Externally for septic wounds, rheumatism and baldness.

MIRO -- Prumnopitys ferruginea
For stomach ache and recovery from fevers, sore throats.
An inhalant for bronchitis, clears congestive toxins.
Externally for bruises and injuries, open wounds, eczema and warts.
Antiseptic. Insecticide.
Capillary fragility.
High in bioflavinoids which strengthens the blood vessels, particularly the smallest ones.

NIKAU -- Rhopalostylis sapida
Laxative. Relaxes pelvic floor muscles.
Makes Labour easier.
Also useful for Diarrhoea.

ONGAONGA -- Urtica Ferox Tree nettle.
Rich in vitamins and minerals, the nettles are a nutrient value in weight loss.
Nettles clear toxins, lower blood pressure and blood sugar levels.
For eczema and skin eruptions, rheumatism (anti-inflammatory), arthritis.
Ongaonga is common throughout the North Island and on the West Coast of the South Island.
It is found in scrubland and along forest margins where it can form dense thickets.
It can grow into a tree up to 3 m tall.
The leaves and branches are covered in stinging hairs.
When the leaf or branched is touched the tip of the hair breaks off injecting poison into the skin.
If you are badly stung by ongaonga it is extremely painful and can cause you to be un-coordinated and dizzy for up to three days.
Maori sometimes ate the inner stems of ongaonga after removing the leaves and outer bark.
The flowers of ongaonga come out of the stem at the same point as the leaves.
The male and female flowers are found on separate plants. Pollen is ejected out of the plant explosively and carried by the wind to pollinate nearby plants.
Ongaonga is an important food for the caterpillar of the native red admiral butterfly.

PATETE -- Schefflera digitata
For weight loss.
Externally for scrofula, sores, ringworm, athlete's foot and any other fungal problems.

PINATORO -- Pimelea prostrata Strathmore Weed
Used for asthma, bronchial infections, lumbago and rheumatism.

PIRIPIRI -- Acaena Anserinifolia Bidi-bid
For rheumatism, kidney and bladder trouble including painful urination, digestive troubles,
gallstones, dysentery, constipation and blood cleanser.

POHUTUKAWA -- Metrosideros excelsa Christmas Tree
Its astringent properties are useful for dysentery and diarrhoea.
Used for sore throats, sore gums, toothaches and thrush.
Historically used on gangrenous wounds and to stop wounds from bleeding.

POROPORO -- Solanum aviculare Bullabull
As a contraceptive, a decoction was taken just before menses due.
The steroid hormone extract for fertility control and relief of rheumatoid arthritis.
Also for itching skin, ulcers, bruises, wounds, sores, eczema, and dandruff.

PUAWANANGA -- Clematis paniculata
For female haemorrhage, bleeding piles, general blood disorders,
kidney troubles, skin eruptions and head colds.
Externally for wounds and styes.

PUHA -- Sonchus oleraceus Sow Thistle
Useful for boils and carbuncles.
Blood purifier.
For haemorrhages, constipation, and cervical abnormalities.

PUKA -- Meryta sinclairii
Tonic. Normalises menstruation.
Used for stomach, bowel and urinary problems. (Not used widely traditionally due to its rarity.)

PUKATEA -- Laurelia novae-zelandiae
Strong analgesic 'morphine like' pain relief, especially the pain of injury.
May often give instant relief.
For neuralgia, toothache, ulcers and skin complaints.
Highly potent, low dosage only.

PURIRI -- Vitex lucens
For sprains and backache.
Contains a germicide.
Useful for sore throats and ulcers.
Hormonal balance.

RATA -- Metrosideros robusta
A strengthening tonic its antiseptic qualities make it an ideal lotion for wounds.
Used for ringworm, rheumatic joint pain.
Astringent, diarrhoea and constipation.
Sore throats and toothache.
Analgesic.

RAURENGA -- Trichomanes reniforme Kidney Fern
For kidney and bladder problems.

RED MATIPO -- Myrsine australis
Tonic. Used for blood vessel problems, some arthritic conditions, skin diseases and toothache.

REWAREWA -- Knightia excelsa Honeysuckle
Used for coughs and sore throats.
Externally used to heal and stop blood flow from wounds.

RIMU -- Dacrydium cupressinum Red pine
For stomach-ache, headache, bleeding from lungs or bowels, diarrhoea, gout.
Externally for ulcers, sores, burns. Baldness.

TANEKAHA -- Phyllocladus tricomanoides Celery Pine
The most important New Zealand herb for the liver.
Useful for skin disorders.
Its astringent properties are valuable for diarrhoea.

TARAIRE -- Beilschmiedia tarairi
For sore throats and coughs, irregular menses with cramping.
Affects the mental sphere particularly bad dreams.

TARATA -- Pittosporum eugenoides Lemonwood
Taken for halitosis, thrush and sore throats.
May be poured into a bath for acute rheumatism.

TATARAMOA -- Rubus cissoides Bush Lawyer
For abdominal pain, diarrhoea, dysentery, (may also be laxative), stomach aches,
dysmenorrhoea, eases afterbirth, toothache, chest congestion, coughs, sore throats, toothache.
Externally for boils, abscesses and septic infections.

TAWA -- Beilschmiedia tawa
Tonic.
For stomach pains, flatulence, coughs, colds, influenza.
Externally for wounds.

TI KAUKA -- Cordyline australis Cabbage Tree
For stomach pains, dysentery, diarrhoea and irregularity of the bowels.
Useful for children's colic and thrush.
A blood purifier.
Useful external application for cracked skin, sores and cuts.

TITOKI -- Alectryone excelsus
Laxative. For ear-ache, weak eyes, sore breasts, chapped skin in infants,
sprains, wounds and swelling, bruises, painful joints.
Reduces insect bites and stings.

TOTARA -- Podocarpus totara
Reduces fevers. Is anti-bacterial and anti-fungal.
Gives clarity of thought.
Externally for eczema, haemorrhoids.

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Please use your common sense when harvesting NZ Natives.
Only harvest leaves from the "Eastern" side of trees or bushes.
If you must take "Bark" then harvest small vertical strips from as high up as you can reach.
Roots can be safely taken also, from small excavations and not too much from one tree or bush.
Native herbs can be removed from their natural position provided you place them in a similar environment in their new home. This often involves a bit of preparatory work but is well worth the effort in the end, again "DO NOT" strip an area of its assets, remember you are not the only one harvesting "Natures Bounty".
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