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Herbs & Cultures

Mānuka as taonga →

Mānuka leaf for fever and colds

A decoction of mānuka leaves for fever, and its steam for a head cold.

Traditional use

Time
20 minutes
Makes
2 cups and 1 steam session
Manuka and kanuka

Long before mānuka honey became world-famous, Māori used the mānuka itself. A decoction of the leaves was drunk for fever and for urinary complaints, and the steam from leaves boiled in water was inhaled for head colds.

Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp dried mānuka leaf (or a handful fresh)
  • 750 ml water
  • A bowl and a towel for steaming

Step by step

  1. Bring the water to the boil with the leaves and simmer for 10 minutes.
  2. Pour off a cup, strain and drink warm.
  3. Pour the rest into a bowl and breathe in the steam for 5–10 minutes with a towel over your head.

Tips

  • Dried mānuka leaf is sold as tea by shops selling New Zealand products.

Registry

Herbs in this recipe

Read more about effects and safety on each herb’s page.

  • Caution

    Oceania · Herb · № 273

    Manuka and kanuka

    Leptospermum scoparium en Kunzea ericoides

    Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, antimicrobial, antiseptic, expels worms (leptospermone); for ulcers, infections and fever.

    Rongoā Māori+2

Cultures and traditions

Where the herbs come from

The herbs in this recipe also appear in these traditions.