Everything You Need To Know About Kawakawa And 4 Unique Ways To Use It

Kawakawa (Piper excelsum) is the beautiful New Zealand native with big heart shaped leaves. You have probably come across it before, but if not after reading this you’ll know exactly where to look and how to use it!

Although kawakawa has the common name of pepper tree, don’t mistake it for horopito (also called the pepper tree). Although these two natives each have their own unique spicy flavours, they have different medicinal properties. Here’s a little about this wonderful plant and how you can utilise it for yourself.

🌿Related: 3 Spectacular New Zealand Native Plants And How To Use Them

Where can you find kawakawa?

Why Does Kawakawa Have Holey Leaves?

If you’re a keen kawakawa forager or lover of plants you may have noticed that more often than not the leaves of this plant are covered in holes. These are made by the hungry caterpillars of the kawakawa looper moth (Cleora scriptaria). But don’t be deterred, when it comes to choosing leaves, opt for the holey ones! Research has shown that the chewed leaves have more active compounds, triggered and released by the caterpillars munching!

How Was This Plant Used Traditionally

Why Do We Use Kawakawa?

We use kawakawa because it is a powerful plant that supports the whole body. We are building on its traditional use and incorporating this versatile plant into our everyday and celebrating the many supportive actions this plant has. We celebrate kawakawa within our defence range to help support a healthy immune system as well as having it in our topical skin oil to support healthy skin and skin repair. Our Daily Boost Tonic contains kawakawa to add to this formula’s tonic and energy supporting action.

🌿Related: The Health Benefits Of Rosehip: Our New Daily Boost Tonic

How To Harvest Kawakawa

When it comes to harvesting kawakawa it's important to choose the correct leaves. By taking the leaves with a spoon shape at the base of their stem, and not the leaves at the tip, you're giving the plant a much better chance to regenerate. As always, be respectful and only take what you need.

How To Dry Kawakawa

Drying your kawakawa is a great way to preserve it and in this form it can be used in a multitude of ways. When harvesting always be respectful and pick your kawakawa from trees that have abundant leaves, and don’t just pick from one tree. Remember that less is more and often you will get more than you need - so don’t feel the need to fill big containers.

Once you have picked the leaves, rinse them and pat dry. Place them on a fine mesh or a covered oven rack in a single layer out of direct sunlight. Then cover with a light material like muslin cloth. Make sure the room they are drying in is not humid or damp - you could run a dehumidifier in the room - or place them in a small dehydrator on the lowest setting. Flip the leaves to dry both sides. Once your kawakawa leaves are dry carefully crumble them into a glass jar that tightly seals and use when needed.

How To Make Kawakawa Tea

1. Pick 1 or 2 kawakawa leaves
2. Rinse the leaves and rip them up
3. Put in a pot with 500ml boiling water and simmer for 10 minutes
4. Pour yourself a cup and sit back and enjoy!

How To Use Kawakawa In Your Cooking 

Kawakawa can also be used in your cooking and is said to give off basil-like flavours. Because of its powerful medicinal properties its important to remember not to over do it. Don’t go nuts, just use it like you would a herb. Dried kawakawa can be added to sea salt to boost your meals like soups. Just add 2 teaspoons of dried Kawakawa to 1 cup salt. 

Make A Relaxing Kawakawa Foot Spa

You can use the above salt in a footbath. Just add a tablespoon to a big container of water and soak your feet for about 10 minutes. Kawakawa is great for helping to sooth tired and achy feet.

How To Use The Berries

There are many ways to use kawakawa berries. You can pickle the berries and use them in a salads, add them to your homemade chutney, eat them fresh, or make them into a tea.  You could even use Johanna Knox’s recipe and make chocolate dipped kawakawa berries, a tasty summer treat! Do be aware that kawakawa has a numbing effect so don't eat too many. A very small amount goes a long way.