Kawakawa

Piper excelsum

Kawakawa is a well known rongoa medicine, used for treating a wide range of issues. The topical application of kawakawa has long been used to treat cuts and insect bites. It is antimicrobial and has a mild analgesic effect.  

Up to 64 bioactive compounds are found in kawakawa leaves. The most well studied of these are myristicin and diayangambin. Myristicin is found in many plant species and has well known anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory effects. It is also an insecticide, and when combined with other insecticides, it will make them more effective. Its anti-inflammatory process can help to treat insect bites and it works well on eczema. Diayangambin is also anti-inflammatory, as well as being an immunosuppressant. Immunosuppressants can be used to down regulate the immune response of the body. This makes it very effective in treating conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. One study which did not separate kawakawa into its compounds found that it was inhibitory to Staphylococcus aureus growth.

In early studies it has even been shown to stop the production of tumors. There have been no human studies yet, but I'm going to drink my kawakawa tea anyway. 


References

Clark, T. A. (2022). In Vitro Bioactivity of OceanDermEx® Extracts. [Masters Thesis]. Clark-2022-Thesis. https://researchspace.auckland.ac.nz/bitstream/handle/2292/63460/Clark-2022-thesis.pdf?sequence=4

Jayaprakash, R., Ramzan, F., Miles-Chan, J. L., Foster, M., Mithen, R. F., & Pook, C. (2022). Exploring the Chemical Space of Kawakawa Leaf (Piper excelsum). Nutrients, 14(23)(14), 1. https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/14/23/5168

Newland, J. (2016, November). In vitro cell culture to study microglial inflammation [Masters Thesis]. The University of Waikato Research Commons. Retrieved 03 12, 2024, from https://researchcommons.waikato.ac.nz/bitstream/handle/10289/12053/thesis.pdf?sequence=4&isAllowed=y

Xu, H. (2018). Anti-inflammatory and Anti-cancer Effects of Kawakawa (Macropiper excelsum) Leaves [Masters Thesis]. Libraries and Learning Services. Retrieved 03 12, 2024, from https://researchspace.auckland.ac.nz/docs/uoa-docs/rights.htm

 

 

Photo Credit: Tony Foster

 

Lizzy Farrington

Lizzy (they/them)

Co-Founder of The Halfling Herbalist

Eczema sufferer

Scientist (MSc, PGDipSci, BApSci)

Autistic

Cat Person

Plant Lover

By the time I was 10 I was prescribed cortico-steroids for the eczema on my hands. I am allergic to soap, chlorine, salt (water), alcohols (yes the pandemic was great), fragrances, all plant juice… You get the idea, anything wet. 

I have a Master’s in Biodiversity and Conservation. Having a master’s means you are willing to work very hard, for free, and enjoy spending long hours researching obscure topics. You would not believe how many papers are written on beetle toes. My area of expertise is molecular genetics; focusing on beetle systematics. Turns out there are limited jobs in this field, so I found myself working in a medical laboratory at Middlemore Hospital. We are also talking about the covid pandemic times, so there was extra hand washing. This combined with a large amount of pipetting, destroyed my hands. As we all know, high quality hand creams are super expensive, and the government doesn’t pay very well. I knew I was capable of making something high quality for a much lower price. 

Thus began my skincare journey. Early attempts involved unrefined beeswax (cheap), in equal quantity to shea butter and sweet almond oil. It was reasonably thick , but a great moisturiser, emollient, and barrier cream. As the recipe refined itself, so did my goals. What if this balm could soothe and treat my eczema, and what other opportunities could this present? 

I was not immune to the craze of kawakawa, nor rosemary, so began my research there. I am fortunate to have a thorough herb garden and started extracting their essential oils to include immediately. One study discussed rosemary in conjunction with marigold, and one thing led to another… Chamomile snuck in sideways whilst researching ways to help my husband sleep. Both also in the garden. Combining herbs that I was growing, with my skincare felt extra magical. I shared it with my family and they thought so too. And so the seeds for The Halfling Herbalist were sown. 

In another life I was a traveler and a hiker. I still love to get out when the opportunity presents itself. I lived in Nepal teaching English and maths. Hiked all over Europe and Asia. Met many wonderful people, and then found my way back home. There must be some Brandybuck in me. I enjoy all things Halfling, but most importantly second breakfast, and a cup of tea. 

I have the two most wonderful children, the two most terrible cats, and one long suffering husband. 

Hannah Smith

Co-Founder of The Halfling Herbalist

Scientist (MSc, PGDipSci, BApSci)

Autistic/ ADHD

Plant hoarder

Geek

I have had many really negative experiences with skincare in general. It felt that no matter what I was buying, I was being sold an idea of a “better me”, or “that beauty was attainable, but that it comes at a cost (pain, money etc…)” . I think skincare should be holistic, simple and that it shouldn't hurt. 

So I started looking into what I actually wanted from my products and what I wanted was some control: both of whatever is going on with my face, but also with what I am choosing to put on it. I decided to start with reading the literature, of which there was plenty. Excited with all this knowledge I had obtained, I went to info dump on Lizzy, who turned out to be 3 steps ahead of me and was already making an early recipe of our Hand and Body Balm. A few adaptations and we had it, our signature blend of home grown essential oils and a lifelong fellowship. Like any self respecting halfling I believe in working with nature rather than against it. This means that I am happiest when my garden feels balanced, just enough insects to keep my plants happy, not enough to eat all my strawberries. 

My Partner and I have one beautiful dog Violet, and a delightful creature of chaos Asami.