The traditional Māori medicine plant Kawakawa (Macropiper exelsum) is native to New Zealand. The tree has green, heart-shaped leaves and grows in lowland forests and along coastal areas throughout the North Island and the upper half of the South Island of New Zealand. In traditional rongoā, Māori medicine, Kawakawa is thought to be a tonic for overall health including;

• digestive issues

• circulation

• toothaches

• asthma

• reduces inflammation

What’s with all the holes in the Kawakawa Leaves?

The Kawakawa Looper Moth has adapted to the insecticide and made kawakawa its preferred host plant. The caterpillars of the Kawakawa Looper are responsible for all those holes you see in the leaves. As the caterpillar eats the leaves it triggers a change in the chemical composition of the plant, making them the best leaves to use for rongoā.

Kawakawa has a bitter peppery taste, while it doesn’t contain caffeine it will improve energy and stamina. The heat makes Kawakawa a wonderful aid to circulation and especially great tea for the cooler seasons. Great drank on its own or mixed with a bit of ginger to give it that extra kick, Kawakawa is a great tea to help strengthen your immunity. So If you're feeling congested or have sore achy muscles a cup of kawakawa could be just what your body needs.

If you would like to try kawakawa tea but don’t have access to a kawakawa tree near you I’ve got you sorted. Back to the Wild sells organic, wild-harvested kawakawa tea. Order online now and have it delivered to your door without having to go foraging.

Kawakawa can be made into a tea or used topically as a healing balm. Kawakawa Balm can help bruises, bumps, rashes, and dry irritated skin heal. Kawakawa Balm also has a cooling effect for all types of burns, bites, stings and rashes when applied so you will feel a cooling and soothing effect very quickly. Traditionally Māori mothers would rub kawakawa leaves on their breasts to help wean their babies from breastfeeding.

Kawakawa Balm can be used for:

• Dry irritated skin

• Eczema / Psoriasis

• Cradle Cap

• Insect bites

• Cuts/scratches

• Rash

• Bruises

• Burns

Heal your body with wild-harvested New Zealand Kawakawa Balm. Back to the Wild Kawakawa balm is made from wild-harvested Kawakawa infused oil, organic unrefined NZ beeswax, and melaleuca (tea tree) oil. This truly is a gentle, yet effective healing balm. The first time I used it my son had fallen over and got himself a big blue bruise. I applied the Kawakawa Balm before he went to bed, and by morning the swelling had gone right down and the colour was almost back to normal. It’s a great multi-purpose balm to keep in your first aid kit.

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