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Hi'iaka's Healing Herb Garden : Column Index : 2003 : Nov03
Coming Soon...
Enjoy a Cup of Hawaiian Tea -- But What's Really In It?
I love it when I see our Hawaiian plants being sold as popular consumer items in local stores and farmer's markets. Mamaki, Ko`oko`olau, Lau kahi, Vervain, `Awa (kava kava) and of course Noni are popping up as prepared drinks and packaged teas, and they're often combined with great-tasting herbs like lemon grass. But do you know what these plants contain and how they're used for healing? This month, we'll take a look at the trend of using Hawaiian plants as refreshing teas and talk about several of them that you can buy.
First of all, please remember that herbs are medicine. All plants contain chemical components that give them nutritional benefits and healing properties. Properties are elements that have a certain effect when we consume them. Some examples of properties are words that you might already know: laxative, diuretic, sedative, stimulant, antispasmodic... there are a ton of them. Have you ever noticed what it says on a bottle of aspirin? "Analgesic." Know what that means? "To relieve pain without causing loss of consciousness." Who would know unless you looked it up!
Many Hawaiian Plants Have Not Been Studied
Although we know the botanical names of our native plants (family, genus and species), we do not know all of the properties they contain because controlled laboratory studies have been conducted on only the "big name" plants like `Awa and Noni. We know some folkloric and historic uses of Hawaiian plants, but to learn what they contain you must look up closely related plants in a book such as the Physician's Desk Reference for Herbal Medicines. You will not find Mamaki or Ko`oko`olau listed, but you will find Nettles and Burr marigold, which are first cousins of these plants that occur in other parts of the world. Laboratory analyses have been done on Nettles and the Burr marigold, so we can learn about some possible properties and effects of our Mamaki and Ko`oko`olau by studying their relatives.
Mamaki Is Popular and Tastes Good
It's great to drink tea that's made from our native plants. But do it in moderation! For example, Mamaki belongs to the Nettle family (Urticaceae). Nettles have powerful properties: they are a blood purifier (alterative), expectorant, astringent, and diuretic. Based on personal experience, I believe that Mamaki is a strong diuretic, the tea of which should not be used in large quantities. However, Nettle tea is a classic "tonic," which means that you can drink it every day for promoting and maintaining robust health. It's fine to enjoy one cup of Mamaki tea with your breakfast or for an afternoon treat. Just don't drink a gallon of it at a time!
Ko`oko`olau Can Increase Urination
Ko`oko`olau is a member of the sunflower family, or Asteraceae. There are several species of it in the Bidens genus and it's commonly called Beggar's tick and Spanish needle. You might have encountered it as a weed because the seeds, called kuku, can stick to your clothing (they're sometimes called "hitchhiker seeds"). Another member of the Bidens genus is Burr marigold. It is an astringent, diaphoretic (induces sweating) and diuretic, which gives us a clue that these properties might also be contained in Ko`oko`olau. In former times, the young leaves and flowers of Ko`oko`olau were used as tea for people who felt weak and for treating asthma, throat and stomach ailments. It was believed that this plant helps to prevent strokes, but again, laboratory studies have not been conducted to verify this folkloric use.
Lau Kahi Is Great for Skin Healing
Lau kahi is a member of the Plantago genus, often called Plantain, about which we know a lot. Plantain is considered a lawn weed in many places and occurs on all continents of the Earth. Plantain is a diuretic, blood cleaner, and helps to relieve inflammations. Ancient peoples everywhere used it as a poultice for skin healing, and so did the Hawaiians. Taken internally as a tea, it is good for cleansing the liver and kidneys. The seeds, called psyllium, have a laxative effect. Plantain was the first plant that I learned could be used as medicine back in 1972 and it's something that I have made into poultices for over 30 years. To use it in this way, collect a handful of leaves and flowering seed spikes. Boil 2 cups of water, chop up the plant, and simmer it for about 20 minutes. When it cools, grab a handful of the mixture, squeeze it out and apply it directly to an insect bite, burn, boil, or other skin problem. You can tape it on and leave it for an hour or two. As always, for serious injuries, staph infections, and for wounds that continue bleeding, please seek appropriate medical care.
Vervain Is Everywhere
Vervain (Ha`uoi, Stachytarpheta urticifolia) was introduced to Hawai`i long ago and is often considered a weed. Relatives of Hawaiian Vervain occur in many other areas of the world. It belongs to the Verbena family, members of which serve as nervines (help to calm the nerves), bitter tonics, emetics (can make you vomit if taken in large doses), and as emmenagogues (promote menstruation). Leaves and flowers of other species of Vervain are used for liver disorders, irregular and painful periods, increased milkflow, flu and fever (M. Tierra, The Way of Herbs). Folkloric uses of Vervain in Hawai`i include its use as an antiseptic poultice for wounds and infections. It should not be taken during pregnancy.
Even Lemon Grass Is Medicinal
Lemon grass is a favorite ingredient in Thai food and makes a delicious addition to other teas. It is called "fever grass" in other parts of the world for its febrifugal properties, which can help to reduce a fever. And it's also a diuretic. So even common plants that we eat in our favorite dishes and drink in popular teas have properties that can contribute to healing or cause extra trips to the bathroom if you take too much.
As I have said before, it's great to use our native plants as food and medicine, but it's also important to know what you're taking and why you're taking it.
Enjoy a Cup of Hawaiian Tea -- But What's Really In It?
I love it when I see our Hawaiian plants being sold as popular consumer items in local stores and farmer's markets. Mamaki, Ko`oko`olau, Lau kahi, Vervain, `Awa (kava kava) and of course Noni are popping up as prepared drinks and packaged teas, and they're often combined with great-tasting herbs like lemon grass. But do you know what these plants contain and how they're used for healing? This month, we'll take a look at the trend of using Hawaiian plants as refreshing teas and talk about several of them that you can buy.
First of all, please remember that herbs are medicine. All plants contain chemical components that give them nutritional benefits and healing properties. Properties are elements that have a certain effect when we consume them. Some examples of properties are words that you might already know: laxative, diuretic, sedative, stimulant, antispasmodic... there are a ton of them. Have you ever noticed what it says on a bottle of aspirin? "Analgesic." Know what that means? "To relieve pain without causing loss of consciousness." Who would know unless you looked it up!
Many Hawaiian Plants Have Not Been Studied
Although we know the botanical names of our native plants (family, genus and species), we do not know all of the properties they contain because controlled laboratory studies have been conducted on only the "big name" plants like `Awa and Noni. We know some folkloric and historic uses of Hawaiian plants, but to learn what they contain you must look up closely related plants in a book such as the Physician's Desk Reference for Herbal Medicines. You will not find Mamaki or Ko`oko`olau listed, but you will find Nettles and Burr marigold, which are first cousins of these plants that occur in other parts of the world. Laboratory analyses have been done on Nettles and the Burr marigold, so we can learn about some possible properties and effects of our Mamaki and Ko`oko`olau by studying their relatives.
Mamaki Is Popular and Tastes Good
It's great to drink tea that's made from our native plants. But do it in moderation! For example, Mamaki belongs to the Nettle family (Urticaceae). Nettles have powerful properties: they are a blood purifier (alterative), expectorant, astringent, and diuretic. Based on personal experience, I believe that Mamaki is a strong diuretic, the tea of which should not be used in large quantities. However, Nettle tea is a classic "tonic," which means that you can drink it every day for promoting and maintaining robust health. It's fine to enjoy one cup of Mamaki tea with your breakfast or for an afternoon treat. Just don't drink a gallon of it at a time!
Ko`oko`olau Can Increase Urination
Ko`oko`olau is a member of the sunflower family, or Asteraceae. There are several species of it in the Bidens genus and it's commonly called Beggar's tick and Spanish needle. You might have encountered it as a weed because the seeds, called kuku, can stick to your clothing (they're sometimes called "hitchhiker seeds"). Another member of the Bidens genus is Burr marigold. It is an astringent, diaphoretic (induces sweating) and diuretic, which gives us a clue that these properties might also be contained in Ko`oko`olau. In former times, the young leaves and flowers of Ko`oko`olau were used as tea for people who felt weak and for treating asthma, throat and stomach ailments. It was believed that this plant helps to prevent strokes, but again, laboratory studies have not been conducted to verify this folkloric use.
Lau Kahi Is Great for Skin Healing
Lau kahi is a member of the Plantago genus, often called Plantain, about which we know a lot. Plantain is considered a lawn weed in many places and occurs on all continents of the Earth. Plantain is a diuretic, blood cleaner, and helps to relieve inflammations. Ancient peoples everywhere used it as a poultice for skin healing, and so did the Hawaiians. Taken internally as a tea, it is good for cleansing the liver and kidneys. The seeds, called psyllium, have a laxative effect. Plantain was the first plant that I learned could be used as medicine back in 1972 and it's something that I have made into poultices for over 30 years. To use it in this way, collect a handful of leaves and flowering seed spikes. Boil 2 cups of water, chop up the plant, and simmer it for about 20 minutes. When it cools, grab a handful of the mixture, squeeze it out and apply it directly to an insect bite, burn, boil, or other skin problem. You can tape it on and leave it for an hour or two. As always, for serious injuries, staph infections, and for wounds that continue bleeding, please seek appropriate medical care.
Vervain Is Everywhere
Vervain (Ha`uoi, Stachytarpheta urticifolia) was introduced to Hawai`i long ago and is often considered a weed. Relatives of Hawaiian Vervain occur in many other areas of the world. It belongs to the Verbena family, members of which serve as nervines (help to calm the nerves), bitter tonics, emetics (can make you vomit if taken in large doses), and as emmenagogues (promote menstruation). Leaves and flowers of other species of Vervain are used for liver disorders, irregular and painful periods, increased milkflow, flu and fever (M. Tierra, The Way of Herbs). Folkloric uses of Vervain in Hawai`i include its use as an antiseptic poultice for wounds and infections. It should not be taken during pregnancy.
Even Lemon Grass Is Medicinal
Lemon grass is a favorite ingredient in Thai food and makes a delicious addition to other teas. It is called "fever grass" in other parts of the world for its febrifugal properties, which can help to reduce a fever. And it's also a diuretic. So even common plants that we eat in our favorite dishes and drink in popular teas have properties that can contribute to healing or cause extra trips to the bathroom if you take too much.
As I have said before, it's great to use our native plants as food and medicine, but it's also important to know what you're taking and why you're taking it.
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