- Region
- Oceania
- Origin
- Southeast Asia; brought to Hawaiʻi by Polynesian voyagers
- Traditions
- Jamu in Indonesia, Lāʻau lapaʻau in Hawaiʻi
Oceania · Herb · № 842
Aleurites moluccanus
Herb · Oceania
Kukui (candlenut)
Aleurites moluccanus
A tree whose oil cares for the skin; the nuts are laxative.
Safety notes
Raw nuts are poisonous and strongly laxative. Do not use as a remedy yourself.
Cautions by tradition (1)
- Healing traditions of Oceania: Raw nuts are poisonous and strongly laxative.
Preparation
Oil from the nuts for the skin; roasted nuts in small amounts as a spice.
Use in traditions
One of the canoe plants that Polynesian voyagers brought to Hawaiʻi, and since 1959 the state tree of Hawaiʻi. The oily nuts were strung on a leaf rib and burned as candles. In lāʻau lapaʻau the sap of green fruits was used for thrush (ʻea) and mouth sores in children, and the nut as a laxative. Roasted and ground with salt it becomes inamona, a seasoning for poke. In Indonesia the nut is called kemiri and is used in cooking and in hair oil.
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
The sap of green fruits for thrush (ʻea) and mouth sores in children; the nut as a laxative; the oil for skin and hair.
Preparation and amount
Oil from the roasted nuts applied externally; as a spice only roasted and in small amounts (inamona). No internal dosage is given here.
Caution: Raw nuts are poisonous and strongly laxative.
- Ways to prepare herbs
- Powder and kitchen