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Price range: $12.00 through $16.00
Piper excelsum (formerly Macropiper excelsum)
Well known native shrub or small tree to 6m, with distinctive aromatic fleshy heart-shaped leaves. Kawakawa is a member of the Piperaceae family, which includes black pepper (Piper nigrum). Piperaceae species are widely used in traditional medicinal and culinary practices around the world, and Kawakawa is one of the most important rongoā Māori plants. The fruit, bark and leaves of the kawakawa all have medicinal properties. The leaves were chewed or made into an infusion to treat stomach ailments and bladder problems, the fruits were eaten as a diuretic, and the leaves chewed for toothache. The leaves and bark can made into an infusion used for the treatment of skin problems such as eczema, and a balm can be used to heal cuts, boils, bruises, rheumatism, and nettle stings.
Recent research has found over 60 active compounds, including pellitorine, which has a numbing effect on the body. Kawakawa also has stimulating and rejuvenating properties which make it a good tonic when infused and taken as a tea.
Kawakawa is dioecious, meaning plants are either male or female. Females produce orange fruits in summer which are edible. As our plants are seed grown they are unsexed.
Kawakawa prefers a moist rich & free-draining soil in a semi-shade to shade position, and needs good frost protection from natural canopy or frost cloth.
Certified organic plant.
N.B. Shipping costs are added AFTER you have placed your order, you will then be emailed an invoice with bank details.
Smallest box rate:
This can fit up to 9 plants in 9cm pots.
Shipping a single tree can be expensive. We may be able to fit more in the box for the same price! See our shipping rates for single and multi tree boxes.
Combining sizes?
No problem, we will work out the best rate for you once you’ve placed your order.
Jo has a passion for growing herbs but is not a qualified herbalist and has no medical background.
We are lucky to have Patricia Beagle working here at times, who is qualified, and some of her advice does appear on these pages, but herbs act differently for different people and can interact with other medicines. We therefore always recommend that you consult with your own qualified health-care practitioner before using herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing or on any medications.
Kahikatea Farm cannot take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of the plants or a plant not having the effect it is reputed to have.
