Kawakawa | Piper Excelsum

Botanical Name: Piper excelsum

Common Names: Kawakawa, New Zealand Peppertree

Botanical Family: Piperaceae

Parts Used: Leaves & fruit

Description:

Kawakawa is a small evergreen shrub-like tree, that can grow up to six meters high. In its natural state, Kawakawa is densely branched, aromatic, with natural large heart shaped emerald green & fleshy leaves. The zigzag branches are swollen & jointed at the nodes, similar to the bamboo stem.

The leaves are approximately 5-10cm long and are often holed, chewed by the native NZ looper moth. The fruit is a yellow/orange, conical berry, each of which contains a single seed.

Kawakawa is commonly found in semi-shaded areas of native bush, usually in coastal and lake regions in the North Island, the top of the South Island & The Chatham Islands.

Active Constituents:

Volatile Oil – 45-70% in essential oils & 1.6-2.5% in the dry herb (mostly myristicin)

Mixed cadinenes – 12.2 % essential oils – 0.43%  in dry herb

The presence of other pharmacological active compounds such as flavonoids and alkaloids seems likely, based upon analysis of related species.

Primary Actions:

• Anti-dyspeptic
• Anti-inflammatory
• Analgesic
• Alternative/Depurative
• Diaphoretic & Circulatory stimulant
• Myristicin is reported to have anti-tumor activity
• Natural immune support

Indications – external use:

• Skin conditions such eczema, skin rashes
• Boils, sores, abscesses & skin infections
• Cuts, wounds & abrasions
• Insect bites, sand-flies, mosquitoes & bug bites
• Poor circulation, varicose veins, chilblains & raynauds
• Bruises & swellings
• Fungal, warts & ringworm,scalds and sun burn
• Aches & pains, rheumatism, neuralgia, arthritis
• Acts as a mild insect repellent
• Circulatory insufficiency including chilblains
• Toothache
• Anti-inflammatory activity. Neuralgia, rheumatic & arthritic pains and bruises.

Orally:

• Stomach pains, indigestion, bloated-ness due to over eating or allergy food types (ie:wheat products)
• Digestive aid & carminative effects.
• Skin conditions, such as eczema boils & rashes – internal & external
• Circulatory insufficiency, chilblains, arterial & Raynard’s disease.
• Colds, coughs, bronchitis, worm infestations.
• Gonorrhea & syphilis – internal & external
• Debility, general fatigue, lack of energy.
• New reports on weight balancing effects

Contraindications:

No precautions or contraindications have noted by Rasmussen (2001)

Toxicology:

No toxic effects found on Piper excelsum leaf