What did Kiri make that excellent poultice for Folly’s bruise with? Maybe kawakawa [Piper excelsum]. Piper means pepper in Latin, and the leaves do have a bit of zing. They’re often full of holes where caterpillars have been having a nibble (which means it’s a good time to harvest). Māori have used them for all sorts of things for hundreds of years. For instance, kawakawa numbs your mouth a bit when you chew, so it’s good for toothache. Or as tea for an upset tummy. Or on burns, bites and bee stings. And try the yellow-orange berries for extra stamina when you’re out walking in the forest – just not too many at once or next thing you’ll be needing some rangiora leaves (aka ‘bushman’s friend’ toilet paper).
