Ngā Rauropi Whakaoranga

kōpata, kōpatapata, pukupuku  (all in Williams 1971) 

After Europeans introduced smoking, Māori would smoke a weed called kōpata. They would make a bowl for a pipe out of wood and insert as a stem a reed of pukakaho. (Maori informant in Beattie 1920). See also Geum urbanum.

Decoction of leaves applied to bruises (Kirk, in Taylor 1870).

Good substitution for arnica (which is used to treat bruising, inflammation, assist scar forming, and to stimulate nervous system) ( Reed & Brett's, 1874).

Leaves- astringent. chewed, swallowed for dysentery. Bruised and used as poultice for burns and scalds. Chewed for bad breath (Armitage, in Goldie 1904).

Leaves boiled, water used to wash face, for pimples (L. Smith 1940).

Related pharmacology in Brooker, Cambie and Cooper 1987.

See Riley 1994 for information on medicinal uses of related plants elsewhere in the world.