Rongoa is the Māori term for medicines that are produced from native plants in New Zealand. Rongoa Maori is still being practised and is used extensively today. It was, and still is, important that the gathering of Rongoa Maori be carried out in a sustainable way to ensure that there will still be some the next time it is needed.
1 . Kowhai
Scientific Name: Sophora microphylla
Flowers: Large, drooping bright yellow flowers in bunches during spring. Forms into distinctive hard brown seed pods.
Rongoa
Other Uses
2. Pohutukawa
All parts of the kowhai including bark, inner bark, flower, leaves and juice can be used as rongoa. Note there are toxic alkaloids in the tree so careful preparation of rongoa must be observed and casual experimentation is not recommended. Infused bark is drunk for internal ailments and treating cuts, bruises and swelling. Colds and sore throats have also been known to be treated by the infused bark. Boiled and crushed bark is useful for sprains, alleviating broken limbs, bruises, infected skin, wounds and skin diseases. The ashes of the kowhai can be used to treat ringworm.
Yellow dye can be extracted from the petals.
Wood is highly durable and can be used for fencing.
Flowering marks the time for planting kumara.
2. Pohutukawa
Scientific Name: Metrosideros excelsa
Flowers: Piercing, flame coloured pom-pom shaped blooms
Rongoa
The pohutukawa was highly respected and usually the tohunga (chief priest) would be the one to extract and make the rongoa giving it a tapu (sacred) status. The inner bark, when infused, can be used to treat dysentry and diarrhoea (contains ellagic acid). The nectar of the flowers is used to help alleviate sore throats.
Other Uses
Honey can be made from the flowers. Essential oils can be extracted from the inner bark. The wood is hard and durable and has been used for making boats, paddles, weapons and eel clubs.
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