Hawaiian Use of Native Plants

(updated 20 September, 1996)

Pua KalaArgamone glauca (PAPAVERACEAE)Yellow juice contains a narcotic (opium): relief from toothache, neuralgia and ulcers.
PukiaweStyphelia tameiameiai (EPARCIDACEAE)Leaves and fruit: lei. Mature wood: handles for small adzes. Leaf buds mixed with salt, and mashed, then inhaled through the nostrils: used in treatment of congestion so severe it cuts off breathing.
WiliwiliErythrina sandwicensis (FABACEAE)Mature wood: booms and floats for single hull canoe and long surfboards. Seeds: lei.
'AweoweoChenopodium oahuense (CHENOPODIACEAE) The dark red bark, either entire or pounded, in conjunction with other ingredients: fed to a baby or eaten by a nursing mother or eaten by a pregnant mother in order to make attractive and beautiful the skin on the body of the children.
'AhinahinaArtemisia australis (ASTERACEAE)Leaves, stalks and roots, all in conjunction with other ingredients, made into a steam bath: used in treatment of dry fever with dizziness. Leaves alone, in conjunction with other ingredients, taken orally: used in treatment of an asthma attack and pulmonary consumption without phelgm.
'AkalaRubus spp. (RUBIACEAE)Juice from fruit: rose dye for clothing. Fruit: minor food. Ashes obtained by burning the stem as well as ashes of other plants, applied externally: used in treatment of dandruff: and, in conjunction with other ingredients, taken orally: used in treatment of burning chest pains and heart burn leading to vomiting.
'AkiaWikstroemia spp. (THYMELAEACEAE)Stripped and pounded bark of the stem: drug for stupefying fish. Fruit: lei. Leaves, in conjunction with other ingredients, taken orally: used in treatment of stubborn cases of asthma.
'Alahe'eCanthium odoratum (RUBIACEAE)Mature wood: digging sticks, fishing hooks and octopus spears. Leaves: used to make a black dye.
'ala'ala wai nuiPepormia spp. (PIPERACEAE)Various parts of the plant, in conjunction with other ingredients, taken orally: used in treatment of fetid vaginal discharge, debilitating consumption, relapse after recovery from an illness, severe asthma and possibly various stages of appendicitis.

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