- Region
- Oceania
- Origin
- Southeast Asia and the Pacific
- Traditions
- Lāʻau lapaʻau in Hawaiʻi
Oceania · Herb · № 843
Cordyline fruticosa
Herb · Oceania
Kī (ti plant)
Cordyline fruticosa
A plant with large leaves, used in Hawaiʻi for fever and headache and to wrap food.
Safety notes
Little scientific research.
Cautions by tradition (1)
- Healing traditions of Oceania: Little scientific research.
Preparation
Leaves are laid around the head or body; the sweet root was baked.
Use in traditions
A Hawaiian canoe plant with spiritual meaning: kī leaves are regarded as protective and are planted around houses, worn around the neck and used in ceremonies. In lāʻau lapaʻau leaves were wrapped around the head or body for fever and headache, and steamed leaves were used as a poultice. The sweet root was baked in an earth oven as a treat and later distilled into ʻōkolehao. The leaves also served to wrap food, as thatch and for skirts.
Applications
Use by tradition
How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.
Healing traditions of Oceania
Attributed effects
Leaves wrapped around the head or body for fever and headache, steamed as a poultice; the leaves are regarded as protective and used in ceremonies.
Preparation and amount
Fresh or steamed leaves externally; the root was baked in an earth oven as food.
Caution: Little scientific research.
- Ways to prepare herbs
- Powder and kitchen