KUMARAHOU PLANT

( Source: oranewzealand.com)

Kumarahou (Pomaderris kumeraho) To soothe irritating coughs, help expel phlegm on the chest or heal sore lungs from prior infection or irritation. In a stainless steel pot bring a hand full of dried Kumarahou leaves (or 2 handfuls of fresh leaves) in 1.5 - 2 litres of cold water to the boil. Simmer gently for 20 minutes and then stain out leaf material from the water. Allow to cool and take one cup of the water first thing every morning. You can drink the water throughout the day if you enjoy the taste. Store the water in the fridge and drink cold or warm by adding half a cup of cold Kumarahou water to half a cup of boiling water. The water will keep in the fridge for up to 5 days. Kumarahou is also topically to heal dry flaky skin or on burns. Tikanga Maori – Harvesting is always preceded by karakia and acknowledgement of the sacrifice being made by the plant in order to support our wellbeing. Kumarahou is best harvested first thing in the morning and never harvest your Kumarahou in the rain. Never take more than you need. Always return the spent plant material or unused medicine back to Papatuanuku so that it can in turn nourish the soil for new growth. Never discard used plant material or infusions in the rubbish or down the sink. If you wish to harvest Kumarahou for drying this is best done in January after it has dropped its seeds and new growth appears and on a waning moon when there is less moisture in the leaves.