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Hi'iaka's Healing Herb Garden : Column Index : 2006 : March
Coming Soon...
`Imiloa: Native Plants Enhance Hilo's New Astronomy Center
February 23 marked the grand opening of the `Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawai`i, located on the University of Hawai`i campus in Hilo. I'm always excited about new educational events and opportunities, so I decided to help out as a volunteer in the weeks before its public opening.
The web site for this new museum is www.imiloahawaii.org. Check it out for complete information about their hours, admission prices, state of the art planetarium and all of the exhibits. "`Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawai`i tells dual stories of the renowned Maunakea volcano, with its world-famous astronomy and rich traditions of Hawaiian culture. `Imiloa, which means 'exploring new knowledge,' reflects both the Hawaiian voyages of discovery and the explorations of astronomy," according to the site.
Not only is `Imiloa a wonderful museum that weaves together science and Hawaiian culture, but the grounds have been beautifully landscaped with many species of native Hawaiian plants and those introduced by the early Polynesian voyagers, who brought roots, seeds and animals in their canoes. I'll talk about the history and medicinal uses of some of these plants in this month's column.
`A`ali`i (Dodonaea viscosa) is a familiar roadside shrub in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park and other dry areas. The leaves were used to treat rashes and itches. Like hops, the flowers were used to impart a bitter flavor and were used as a tonic. The seedpods are still used in leis worn on the head (haku leis) and the capsules are used as a red dye. `_`ali`i is sacred to Laka, the hula goddess.
`Akia (Wikstroemia sp.) This small plant was used for asthma or as a laxative, depending on its preparation. Its strong fiber was used for ropes. It's one of the only poisonous Hawaiian plants, which affects only cold-blooded species such as fish, but not humans.
`Awapuhi kuahiwi (Zingiber zerumbet), is familiar to us today as "shampoo ginger." The early Polynesians brought it to Hawai`i and used the root for stomach aches. It was also used for "fetid nostrils."
`Ekaha (Asplenium nidus) is a popular houseplant called the bird nest fern. The young shoots were used for general weakness, ulcers and sores.
Hau (Hibiscus tiliaceus) is a Polynesian introduction. The flower buds were used as a laxative and for dry throats. The bark was used for congested chests and for easing the pains of childbirth.
Hapu`u pulu and hapu`u `i`i (Cibotium splendens and C. chamissoi) are our beloved Hawaiian tree ferns. The fawn-colored wool (pulu) was used to fill pillows and mattresses, as a dressing for wounds, and for embalming the dead. Starch that forms in the core was used to feed pigs, and humans during famines.
Ho`awa (Pittosporum sp.) The bark was used for swelling, the outer layer of the fruit valves was pounded and applied to sores, and the wood was used for the gunwales of canoes. Seeds are a favorite food of the 'alala, the endangered Hawaiian crow.
`Ilie`e (Plumbago zeylanica) The bark of this attractive groundcover was used in tattooing dye. The leaves and stems were used for swelling and sores.
Kalo (Colocasia esculenta), which is widely known as taro, is a Polynesian introduction. It remains a major food source; poi is made from the tuberous root. The raw root was grated and mixed with sugar cane juice and other plants for a laxative effect.
Kamani (Calophyllum inophyllum) is the Alexandrian laurel nut tree, which is on my Top 10 list of medicinal plants that can and should be grown commercially in Hawai`i. It was introduced by the early voyagers. The nuts are used in "Tongan oil" (Tamanu) for massage and lamp oil. Oil pressed from the nuts is said to be a potent skin healer.
Koa (Acacia koa) is a beautiful large native tree. The leaves were piled on top of lau hala sleeping mats to induce sweating and break a fever. Ashes of the leaves were mixed with other plants and given to weak children.
Kou (Cordia subcordata) is native to Hawai`i. The leaves were used for bronchitis, asthma, cirrhosis of the liver, inflammation of the lymph nodes and menstrual disorders. Its orange flowers make beautiful leis. The wood was used for bowls and houses. It was also made into a red dye for kapa (tapa cloth).
Kukui (Aleurites moluccana) is our Hawai`i state tree, although it was introduced by the early Polynesians. Oil pressed from its nuts was used as lamp oil. The nuts have a laxative effect, so don't eat too many of them. The baked meat of ripe nuts was applied to skin ulcers, and the bark was used for asthma.
Kulu`i (Nototrichium sandwicense) is a dryland forest plant with attractive silvery leaves, which are sometimes used for maile-type leis and dried flower arrangements.
Lama (Diospyros sp.) is the native Hawaiian persimmon. Its fruit is edible and its hard red-brown wood was used for building temples. A piece of it, wrapped in kapa (tapa), was used in the temple of Laka, the hula goddess, to represent her. Lama means "light."
Loulu (Pritchardia spp.) Pritchardia is the only native Hawaiian palm genus. Hats were woven from the fronds. The fruit is edible and is similar to our favorite coconut.
Ma`ohauhele (Hibiscus brackenridgei) is the endangered Hawai`i state flower. It has yellow blossoms. The flower buds of many hibiscus species were used as a laxative and for dry throats. The bark was used for congested chests and for easing labor pains.
Naio (Myoporum sandwicense) is called false sandalwood because it smells like sandalwood. This indigenous tree is common in dry areas. In historic times, it was sometimes passed off as real sandalwood to early traders, who dubbed it "bastard sandalwood."
I'd like to add a couple of notes in closing:
Much of the information in this column comes from the book In Gardens of Hawai`i, a 1960's classic by Marie Neal.
Spellings of some Hawaiian words are changing to reflect the traditional historical usage. For example, "Mauna Kea" is now being spelled as one word, "Maunakea." I have attempted to use correct punctuation for all Hawaiian words.
`Imiloa: Native Plants Enhance Hilo's New Astronomy Center
February 23 marked the grand opening of the `Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawai`i, located on the University of Hawai`i campus in Hilo. I'm always excited about new educational events and opportunities, so I decided to help out as a volunteer in the weeks before its public opening.
The web site for this new museum is www.imiloahawaii.org. Check it out for complete information about their hours, admission prices, state of the art planetarium and all of the exhibits. "`Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawai`i tells dual stories of the renowned Maunakea volcano, with its world-famous astronomy and rich traditions of Hawaiian culture. `Imiloa, which means 'exploring new knowledge,' reflects both the Hawaiian voyages of discovery and the explorations of astronomy," according to the site.
Not only is `Imiloa a wonderful museum that weaves together science and Hawaiian culture, but the grounds have been beautifully landscaped with many species of native Hawaiian plants and those introduced by the early Polynesian voyagers, who brought roots, seeds and animals in their canoes. I'll talk about the history and medicinal uses of some of these plants in this month's column.
`A`ali`i (Dodonaea viscosa) is a familiar roadside shrub in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park and other dry areas. The leaves were used to treat rashes and itches. Like hops, the flowers were used to impart a bitter flavor and were used as a tonic. The seedpods are still used in leis worn on the head (haku leis) and the capsules are used as a red dye. `_`ali`i is sacred to Laka, the hula goddess.
`Akia (Wikstroemia sp.) This small plant was used for asthma or as a laxative, depending on its preparation. Its strong fiber was used for ropes. It's one of the only poisonous Hawaiian plants, which affects only cold-blooded species such as fish, but not humans.
`Awapuhi kuahiwi (Zingiber zerumbet), is familiar to us today as "shampoo ginger." The early Polynesians brought it to Hawai`i and used the root for stomach aches. It was also used for "fetid nostrils."
`Ekaha (Asplenium nidus) is a popular houseplant called the bird nest fern. The young shoots were used for general weakness, ulcers and sores.
Hau (Hibiscus tiliaceus) is a Polynesian introduction. The flower buds were used as a laxative and for dry throats. The bark was used for congested chests and for easing the pains of childbirth.
Hapu`u pulu and hapu`u `i`i (Cibotium splendens and C. chamissoi) are our beloved Hawaiian tree ferns. The fawn-colored wool (pulu) was used to fill pillows and mattresses, as a dressing for wounds, and for embalming the dead. Starch that forms in the core was used to feed pigs, and humans during famines.
Ho`awa (Pittosporum sp.) The bark was used for swelling, the outer layer of the fruit valves was pounded and applied to sores, and the wood was used for the gunwales of canoes. Seeds are a favorite food of the 'alala, the endangered Hawaiian crow.
`Ilie`e (Plumbago zeylanica) The bark of this attractive groundcover was used in tattooing dye. The leaves and stems were used for swelling and sores.
Kalo (Colocasia esculenta), which is widely known as taro, is a Polynesian introduction. It remains a major food source; poi is made from the tuberous root. The raw root was grated and mixed with sugar cane juice and other plants for a laxative effect.
Kamani (Calophyllum inophyllum) is the Alexandrian laurel nut tree, which is on my Top 10 list of medicinal plants that can and should be grown commercially in Hawai`i. It was introduced by the early voyagers. The nuts are used in "Tongan oil" (Tamanu) for massage and lamp oil. Oil pressed from the nuts is said to be a potent skin healer.
Koa (Acacia koa) is a beautiful large native tree. The leaves were piled on top of lau hala sleeping mats to induce sweating and break a fever. Ashes of the leaves were mixed with other plants and given to weak children.
Kou (Cordia subcordata) is native to Hawai`i. The leaves were used for bronchitis, asthma, cirrhosis of the liver, inflammation of the lymph nodes and menstrual disorders. Its orange flowers make beautiful leis. The wood was used for bowls and houses. It was also made into a red dye for kapa (tapa cloth).
Kukui (Aleurites moluccana) is our Hawai`i state tree, although it was introduced by the early Polynesians. Oil pressed from its nuts was used as lamp oil. The nuts have a laxative effect, so don't eat too many of them. The baked meat of ripe nuts was applied to skin ulcers, and the bark was used for asthma.
Kulu`i (Nototrichium sandwicense) is a dryland forest plant with attractive silvery leaves, which are sometimes used for maile-type leis and dried flower arrangements.
Lama (Diospyros sp.) is the native Hawaiian persimmon. Its fruit is edible and its hard red-brown wood was used for building temples. A piece of it, wrapped in kapa (tapa), was used in the temple of Laka, the hula goddess, to represent her. Lama means "light."
Loulu (Pritchardia spp.) Pritchardia is the only native Hawaiian palm genus. Hats were woven from the fronds. The fruit is edible and is similar to our favorite coconut.
Ma`ohauhele (Hibiscus brackenridgei) is the endangered Hawai`i state flower. It has yellow blossoms. The flower buds of many hibiscus species were used as a laxative and for dry throats. The bark was used for congested chests and for easing labor pains.
Naio (Myoporum sandwicense) is called false sandalwood because it smells like sandalwood. This indigenous tree is common in dry areas. In historic times, it was sometimes passed off as real sandalwood to early traders, who dubbed it "bastard sandalwood."
I'd like to add a couple of notes in closing:
Much of the information in this column comes from the book In Gardens of Hawai`i, a 1960's classic by Marie Neal.
Spellings of some Hawaiian words are changing to reflect the traditional historical usage. For example, "Mauna Kea" is now being spelled as one word, "Maunakea." I have attempted to use correct punctuation for all Hawaiian words.
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