Health properties
Kawakawa (piper excelsum) has many benefits including:
Anti-inflammatory — traditional topical use for swelling; supported by studies showing reduced inflammatory markers.
Analgesic / pain-relieving — used traditionally for aches and minor pain; topical preparations reported to soothe sore muscles and joints.
Antimicrobial — leaf extracts show antibacterial and antifungal activity in lab studies against some skin pathogens.
Wound-healing / Astringent — used as poultices for cuts and abrasions; tannins and other constituents may promote drying/closure of minor wounds.
Digestive support — traditional infusions used to ease stomach discomfort, indigestion and colic.
Antioxidant — extracts contain flavonoids and phenolic compounds with free-radical scavenging activity in laboratory assays.
Anti-parasitic / insect-repellent — traditionally used to deter pests; some lab evidence for activity against certain parasites/insects.
Circulatory/tonic effects — traditionally used to support general wellbeing and circulation in rongoā contexts (anecdotal/ethnobotanical).
Traditional use (Māori)
Long used by Māori as a general wellness and first‑aid plant. Leaves were chewed, brewed as infusions, or macerated into poultices for topical application.
Common traditional applications: soothing skin irritations and minor wounds, easing aches and discomfort, supporting digestion (infusions), and as a topical aromatic. Leaves and preparations were incorporated into rongoā (Māori healing practices) and used in ceremonial contexts.
Preparation methods historically included chewing fresh leaves, making warm poultices, brewing tea from leaves, and smoking or applying crushed leaves.
Physical / botanical properties
Plant: A small tree/shrub native to New Zealand and nearby islands. Glossy, heart-shaped leaves with a distinctive peppery, aromatic scent when crushed.
Appearance: Leaves typically 5–12 cm long, bright to deep green; bark smooth; small spikes of tiny flowers followed by pepper-like berries on some subspecies.
Chemistry (general): Leaves contain essential oils and aromatic phenylpropanoids, plus alkaloids, flavonoids and tannins. These constituents give kawakawa its pungent, spicy aroma and peppery taste.
Organoleptic profile: Warm, peppery, slightly sweet and aromatic when crushed or brewed.
Common forms used in products: dried leaf, leaf powder, infused oil, hydrosol, tincture, and topical extracts.
Metaphysical / energetic properties
Grounding and protective: Often used in rituals or carried as a talisman to create a protective or stabilizing energetic boundary.
Heart‑center work: Associated with soothing emotional wounds, supporting heart-opening and compassion practices.
Cleansing and purification: Used in smudging or baths to energetically cleanse spaces or the aura.
Connection to place and ancestry: In New Zealand contexts, kawakawa is also used to honor connection to land (whenua) and ancestral practices; it can be included in ceremonies that acknowledge lineage and belonging.
