Everything you need to know about Kawakawa the New Zealand Native traditional herbal medicine plant

Botanical name: Macropiper excelsumCommon name: Kawakawa, New Zealand Peppertree
Part used: Leaves

Please note: this herb is NOT the same as Kava Kava (Piper methysticum).

Kawakawa is one of the most distinctive New Zealand native plants. It was one of the most important healing herbs in Rongoā Māori (traditional Māori herbal medicine) and the use of Kawakawa as a healing or tonic herb is still popular today.

The leaves, simply chewed or made into infusions, were widely used as treatments for stomach pains and indigestion, particularly where due to over-eating.

Kawakawa is also used as a tonic with gentle stimulating and rejuvenating properties, and early settlers substituted it for tea, due to its refreshing and sustaining properties.

Topically, Kawakawa leaf applications were also used for bruises and rheumatism, the pain of neuralgia and nettle stings, as well as for eczema.

Hot Kawakawa infusions and decoctions have long been a popular treatment for winter ailments, this probably relates at least in part to the significant diaphoretic (sweat-inducing) effect produced by such preparations.  Like other plants in the pepper family, stimulation of the circulation is an effect of internal consumption of reasonable doses of Kawakawa preparations. Such activity could make it useful in conditions such as chilblains, varicose veins, and poor circulation.

Commonly asked questions about Kawakawa:

What is Kawakawa used for?

Kawakawa is used to support tooth ache, pain, stomach cramps, to soothe smooth muscle tissue and topically for eczema, insect bites and inflamed skin.

Is Kawakawa edible?

Yes, you can eat the leaves. They have a peppery taste and can give a numbing feeling in the mouth. 

Where would you find the Kawakawa plant?

Kawakawa is found in the North and South Island of New Zealand and it can be found growing from coastal areas to lowland. Kawakawa likes shaded, moist soil to grow. 

What are Kawakawa traditionally used for?

In traditional rongoā Māori, Kawakawa is used as topically to soothe eczema, boils, bites, stings and grazes, as well as to ease toothache, gastrointestinal and genitourinary problems.

Is Kawakawa psychoactive?

No, Kawakawa is not a psychoactive plant.

Why is Kawakawa known as the Pepper tree?

It is part of the pepper family also known as Piperaceae family. It also has a peppery flavour giving it the name.

Why is Kawakawa numbing?

Kawakawa contains pellitorine, a compound that has numbing effects and could explain its use for pain relief.

What scientific research has been done on Kawakawa?

There have been several types of research done on Kawakawa, this includes:

Ramzan, F., Jayaprakash, R., Pook, C., Foster, M., Miles-Chan, J. L., & Mithen, R. (2022). Acute Effects of Kawakawa (Piper excelsum) Intake on Postprandial Glycemic and Insulinaemic Response in a Healthy Population. Nutrients, 14(8), 1638. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14081638 

Tautuiaki, S., Gojer, J., Jayaprakash, R., Sharma, P., Pook, C., Foster, M., Miles-Chan, J., Mithen, R., & Ramzan, F. (2024). Anti-inflammatory effects of kawakawa (Piper excelsum): An integrative mRNA-miRNA approach. Food science & nutrition, 12(11), 8858–8869. https://doi.org/10.1002/fsn3.4450 

University of Auckland: Scientists explore kawakawa's healing properties.

Is Kawakawa native to NZ?

Yes, Kawakawa is endemic to New Zealand

Is Kava the same as Kawakawa?

No, Kava (Piper methysticum) and Kawakawa (Piper excelsum) are both plants in the same family (Piperaceae) but are two different plants. Kava is native to the South Pacific and Kawakawa is native to New Zealand.

How can Kawakawa help digestion?

Kawakawa tea may help regulate post-meal glucose and insulin responses, particularly at higher doses. Further long-term studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Ramzan, F., Jayaprakash, R., Pook, C., Foster, M., Miles-Chan, J. L., & Mithen, R. (2022). Acute Effects of Kawakawa (Piper excelsum) Intake on Postprandial Glycemic and Insulinaemic Response in a Healthy Population. Nutrients, 14(8), 1638. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14081638 

How can Kawakawa help with period pain?

Kawakawa is a heating herb helping to reduce inflammation and support period pain. It also works as a spasmolytic helping to ease spasms and cramps in the smooth muscle reducing period pain and cramping. It also has a constituent, Pellitorine, which has numbing effects that may contribute to its pain-relieving actions. 

How can Kawakawa help with inflammation?

Kawakawa may help control inflammation by changing the activity of certain genes and molecules in the body. While some signs of inflammation increased slightly, others decreased, suggesting that Kawakawa could help regulate the body's inflammatory response. More research is needed to understand these effects better. 

Tautuiaki, S., Gojer, J., Jayaprakash, R., Sharma, P., Pook, C., Foster, M., Miles-Chan, J., Mithen, R., & Ramzan, F. (2024). Anti-inflammatory effects of kawakawa (Piper excelsum): An integrative mRNA-miRNA approach. Food science & nutrition, 12(11), 8858–8869. https://doi.org/10.1002/fsn3.4450 

How can Kawakawa help with arthritis?

Pellitorine, a constituent in Kawakawa, has numbing effects, potentially helping to reduce pain associated with arthritis.

Can you eat Kawakawa fruit/seeds?

Yes, the seeds can be eaten and have a peppery flavour to them, and the fruit has a sweet taste and flavour similar to passionfruit. 

Is Kawakawa a laxative?

Yes, if taken in large doses Kawakawa can act as a laxative.

Does Kawakawa help you sleep?

It does not have direct actions to help with sleep, but its pain-relieving properties could help the body sleep better with less pain.

How to harvest Kawakawa?

From the Kawakawa plant, pick the leaves from the base of the leaf against the stem. Look for the leaves with holes in them as they are considered to be the best by the insects, they will be the best for you.

How to make your own Kawakawa balm?

Kawakawa balm can be made from fresh or dried leaves. Put the picked leaves into a jar and cover with olive oil leave to infuse for a few weeks or heat over a double boiler and simmer for three hours. Strain the leaves out and add the beeswax and shea butter into the double boiler and let the beeswax dissolve. Once dissolved place into a jar of choice and let it set. Label and date and it is ready to be used. 

Where could I buy a Kawakawa plant?

You can find Kawakawa plants for sale at a variety of nurseries and online retailers in New Zealand. Some specific options include The Plant Company, Trees for Bees Nursery, Kahikatea Farm, and Trade Me.  

Where would I get Kawakawa seeds?

You can harvest your own, or you can purchase them from New Zealand Tree Seeds or Kings Seeds.

How would I grow a Kawakawa plant?

Check out this advice from The Plant Company.

Is there anything named after Kawakawa?

A small town in Northland New Zealand is named after the shrub. It features the famous Hundertwasser Toilets and a train that runs down the main road.

 

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