Kūmarahou

Māori names: Kūmarahou, Pāpapa
Botanical Name: Pomaderris kumerahoa
Family: Rhamnaceae (Buckthorn family)

Description:
Kūmarahou is a shrub that grows up to 3m in height, it has a head of bright creamy yellow flowers that flower at the traditional time of planting Kūmara in early spring. Kūmarahou grows mainly in the top of the North Island, along road sides and in a clay soil, although its numbers are diminishing due to human encouragement on its habitat. Kūmarahou like to be in a sunny spot and prefers a lack of harsh weather conditions, hence it’s growing location.

Constituents and Properties:
Flavonoids, these include flavonols kaempferol and quercetin they are most proliferant in the flowers. Ellagic acid, 0-methyl ethers, iron and saponins.
Alterative, antidyspeptic, antirheumatic, expectorant, vulnerary.

Caution:
No adverse effects, however as with other plants that contain saponins, caution needs to be taken with the amount consumed as tit may cause vomiting.

Medicine:
Leaves and flowers can be used as a poultice or in a bath for rashes, sores and wounds of the skin. Liquids made from Kūmarahou had a very soothing effecting on the skin as well as being a soap replacement.

Decoctions of Kūmarahou have been used for a number of illnesses of the respiratory tract. Asthma bronchitis and tuberculosis are ones of particularly note. Sometimes Kūmarahou was used alone, other times it was mixed with other natives such as Koromiko or Mingimingi.

Kūmarahou is reported to be good at supporting kidney functioning. It is also reported to be good at supporting the bowels, as it is a mild laxative.

Kūmarahou has also been used I the treatment of arthritis, this is probably linked in its support of the kidneys. Kūmarahou has also been used by mothers to support them in the production of milk.

Dosage:
20-40ml per week of a 1:2 fluid extract.

Historical notes:
1930 “Doctors and chemists have not yet discovered such plants as little pāpapa. Its leaves when the outer surface is rubbed off, are very soft to touch, and the liquid gained from boiling a quantity is a strong soothing and healing agent. The leaves may be applied to wounds without being subjected to any cooking process.” (Cowan)

1937 “Take the dry leaves and boil thoroughly for an hour or one and a half hours till all the juice has been extracted. Bottle and take about a teaspoon or more after meals. Good for coughs, asthma, and other chest complaints.; also used as a sedative and in cases of constipation.” (Bennettt)

1984 “Ointment was made from Kūmarahou and applied for skin cancer.” (Northwood)