The practice of Maori medicine is known as Rongoa; a tribal member had to be carefully selected and trained in Rongua by a Maori expert, known as a tonhunga pu. As with many native medicine beliefs, illnesses were treated holistically, that is, with the power of a prayer (karakia), with spiritual healing, by the power of the tonghunga pu and with medicinal plants.
Possessing the knowledge of Maori medicine was considered to be sacred and consequently knowledge was passed on to only a chosen number of tribal members; medicinal remedies were prepared from either a single plant or a combination of plants. Although knowledge of Rongua was learned from the observations of early missionaries and European settlers who arrived in New Zealand, there was much confusion between native plants used for traditional medicine.
Native Maori Plants With Similar Names
Different Maori tribal groups called the same plants by different names and confusingly the same name was also given to different plants; therefore, some plants resulted in being identified wrongly. Manuka (tea tree) was known as kahikatoa and was often confused with kahikatea (a white pine), a different tree with a similar sounding name.
Use of Native Maori Plants
Plants and herbs were used by the Maori tribes in the external treatment of diseases and ailments such as eczema, ringworm, leprosy, fractures, wounds, burns and warts; internally, native Maori plants were used in traditional medicine for bronchitis, asthma, menstrual problems, tuberculosis, stomach complaints, bowel difficulties and in the birthing process.
Maori Use of the Manuka Tree
The manuka (Leptospermum scoparium) is a common tree found throughout New Zealand at various elevations; it grows in both the lowlands and the higher sub-alpine territories. The manuka owes its common name of the 'tea tree' to Captain Cook, who led the Endeavour expedition; he liked the bitter taste of the manuka and used it to make a tea drink.
In native Maori medicine, the manuka was used for a number of ailments; a sedative is made from the infusion of the tree bark which is used both internally and externally. Colds were treated by boiling the manuka leaves and inhaling the vapor; bark ash was rubbed onto the skin in the treatment of skin diseases.
Maori Use of the Pepper Tree
The pepper tree (Macropiper excelsum), kawakawa, is found growing in the lowland forests of New Zealand; it has heart-shaped leaves. The pepper tree was reputedly thrown onto to campfires and burned to keep mosquitoes away. Ailments treated by the Maori use of the pepper tree include rheumatism, toothache, stomach problems, wounds, cuts, nettle stings, boils and abscesses.
Maori Use of Flax
New Zealand flax (Phormium tenax), harakeke, grows in many areas of New Zealand including lowland swamps. The Maori people had many uses for flax; it was used in weaving, food and medicine. Maori women weaved baskets, containers and mats from flax and later it was used in the making of fishing nets, footwear, ropes and clothing.
Medicinally, New Zealand flax was used to heal burns, gunshot and bayonet wounds, constipation, colds, headaches and stomach problems, depending on which part of the plant was used. The nectar from the flax flowers were used to make a sweet drink and the leaves, in addition to being used medicinally, were used as bandages in the treatment of broken bones.
References:
Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
Te Ara The Encyclopedia of New Zealand
 |
