All about Kawakawa Tea: Why it’s beneficial for your health.

People love tea. It’s a refreshing beverage with the most health benefits, as it contains vital substances that can help lower the risk of heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. 

Tea comes in a variety of flavours and taste, each offering amazing health benefits. But, in terms of offering a natural health remedy, Kawakawa tea takes away the spotlight. The entire plant of kawakawa is a remedy! It can provide a different course of action to help cure several health conditions. Kawakawa tea has a variety of active ingredients which makes them one of the most powerful herbal teas. The benefits of kawakawa tea are countless!

The Origin of Kawakawa

As mentioned above, Kawakawa is a herb. This herbaceous shrub has knobbly and uneven joints. Kawakawa shrub grows up to six metres tall and has dense branches. The unique characteristics that make kawakawa different from any other tea leaves are its large heart-shaped leaves. Kawakawa leaves are dark matte green in colour, yet sometimes also found a bit glossy. The scientific term of kawakawa is Macropiper excelsum. This type of plant species is endemic to New Zealand and found in many of its offshore islands. One of them being in Kermadecs and another in Manawatāwhi, which is popularly known as Three Kings Island.

Kawakawa was used by Māori as a medical herb. Kawakawa was used by early European settlers as an alternative to black tea. Unlike regular tea leaves, kawakawa doesn't contain caffeine. Yet, it is known as a popular herbal drink that is refreshing and rejuvenating. Kawakawa is an uplifting tonic that helps improve the energy and stamina of a person.

Uses of Kawakawa

During traditional times for Maori, kawakawa leaves were used to help prepare herbal remedies. When mixed in hot water, the leaves bring out strong and authentic flavours, aromas, and natural minerals. Back then, people used to drink Kawakawa tea to help soothe their digestive system and purify the blood - removing toxins from the body. Since kawakawa leaves have essential medicinal properties, they also used to be applied during inflammation and body soreness. Furthermore, people use to grind the leaves, turn them into a soft moist paste, and apply the mixture to the body to treat skin conditions and ailments. Maori would chew the leaves to help cure toothaches.

As mentioned in the blog, the kawakawa plant is a whole pharmacy itself. The sweet edible yellow kawakawa berries are eaten as a cure for a diuretic. Kawakawa leaves were also used in traditional Maori medicines. Kawakawa leaves with holes (eaten by insects) are considered the best for brewing tea as they contain one of the highest concentrations of medicinal and healing properties. When the leaves have been attacked and eaten by insects the plant kicks in to help mode and push all the plant nutrients to those leaves. This is the best time to pick because of the nutrients in the leaves at that time.

Benefits of Kawakawa Tea

A kawakawa tonic is refreshing and revitalising and can potentially assist you with many health issues: Here are the top eight benefits of drinking kawakawa:

• Kawakawa leaves have natural cleansing properties, which can assist with extreme skin condition and problems, such as acne. Kawakawa has been used to care for eczema and dry skin by Máori healers for many years.

• Kawakawa balm can soothe or resolve problems such as eczema, psoriasis, rashes or dermatitis and ensure lasting relief.

• Kawakawa leaves can be ideal in assisting with bladder issues, providing a healthy boost to the urinary system.

• Kawakawa leaves contain some bitter and stimulating property, which have been known to assist with constipation and stomach ailments.

• Helps reduce the symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) such as cramping, bloating, and indigestion.

• Kawakawa may also help with proper blood circulation in the body.

BONUS: How To Brew Kawakawa Tea

Things You Need to know about Kawakawa tea:

• Tī Ani Kawakawa tea leaves
• Water
• Brewing pot

Instruction:

1. Take a teaspoon of kawakawa leaves.
2. Pour 500 ml of water into a brewing pot and bring it to boil. (Optional: you can also add a bit of grated ginger)
3. Now, add the dried kawakawa leaves into the boiling water. 
4. Bring the water to simmer. Simmer it for at least 15 minutes.
5. Using a strainer, strain the kawakawa leaves tea into the cup and enjoy the hot drink!

If you are satisfied by the benefits of drinking this super healthy tonic, we recommend checking out our best range of kawakawa tea in NZ. Feel free to browse through our website to find the perfect tea for you!