MEDICINAL TREES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2651, 5 November 1909, Page 2

MEDICINAL TREES.

WHAT THE NATIVES KNEW

The annual Departmental report on forestry, gives an interesting list of the medical properties of New Zealand trees and shrubs, as stated by old Maoris. The following is the list, which may hare a certain value in the back blocks: Flax.- —Juice of roots and thick ends of leaves, in large doses an emetic, small doses daily given when suffering from boils. The red portion of flat roots boiled —the extract therefrom is used as a purgative. Flex- is also used for dressing open, v; unds. Kareao (supplejack).—A decoction from the roots given in cases of weakness or general debility; used in the same manner as sarsaparilla,. Kawakawa. —Pulp of .leaves and fruit retained in the mouth to relieve toothache. An infusion of the leaves used to prevent swelling, and taken internally for stomach-ache. The leaves burned in a room kill mosquitoes, and will also render human beings insensible. Kawakawa Ts sometimes'used as a substitute for tea.

Koromiko. —The lender shoots are masticated and swallowed for diarrhoea and dysentery. It relievos the pain of stomach-ache very quickly. Kohekohe. —Used as a tonic. A kind of bitter beer made from its leaves is used as a stomachic. Kahikatoa.—Berries 'masticated and saliva swallowed to allay pains in the stomach, and cures, diarrhoea. A weak infusion of leaves given in fever cases. Ngaio.—The tender shoots rubbed on insect bites allay irritation. Also it cures toothache. Nikau.—When cooked used by native women for rnedicinal purposes. Rimu.—Gum used in dressing ''Severe wounds. - Tipau.—Tender shoots masticated and swallowed in cases of costivenop. Titoki.—An oil is expressed from the nuts and used for earache, weak eyes, sores, bruises, sprains, etc. Tupaki, or Tutu.—The juice from the berries made a sort of wine, which the old Maoris were very fond of. It is rather laxative, and is said to counteract the costive effects of such foods as fern-root and karaka-nuts. Tataramoa <(busli-lawyer).—A very good remedy for toothache. Kohukohu (tree-moss and lichens).— Reduced to fine dust and mixed with hinukohia, is a specific for hakihaki (itch) and other. skin diseases. Hinukohia is oil from the kohia-seeds. Raurekau, or New Zealand coffee tree. —Infusion of inner hark used to reduce swelling, sprains, etc.. Rata Vine.—The inner portion of the bark cut into strips and boiled until it becomes blade—the extract is used for the cure of all open .wounds, with very good results.