Kūmarahou

Kūmarahou is a medium to small sized native tree from New Zealand. It is known traditionally and historically within Māori culture for its healing properties and benefits. It was used internally and externally as a remedy for skin complaints, bronchial illnesses, cold and flu and digestive issues.  The leaves and flowers of the kūmarahou tree were both utilised to create these remedies.

Early European settlers adopted the use of New Zealand's native botanicals and kūmarahou was one of them.  In the 19th century, bushmen used the flowers as a cleaner.  They rubbed kūmarahou flowers with water and in turn created a natural gentle foaming lather. They used this foam to clean the kauri gum off their skin.  Because of this, kūmarahou is also known as ‘gum-diggers’ and ‘bush-mans’ soap. Kūmarahou contains natural saponins that help it to lather, thus making it an effective cleaning agent.

Kūmarahou scientific results - Kūmarahou has been tested and shown to contain a variety of compounds that are great for all-round wellness.  These properties include flavanoids such as quercetin and kaempferol, saponins, free amino acids, tannins and antioxidants. Quercetin helps to address symptoms such as inflammation and congestion. 

Kūmarahou varieties - There are two varieties of kūmarahou. A pale flowered kūmarahou tree and a bright yellow flowering one. The scientific name of the pale flowered kūmarahou is pomaderris hamiltoni and the bright yellow flowering one is known as pomaderris kumeraho.  There is very little scientific research available around the similarities and differences between the two types of kūmarahou species.  

Below are the noticeable features between the two.

Pomaderris kumeraho - More common and found in a number of areas around New Zealand.

Flowers - Bright yellow flowers with lots of large clusters located on the plant.

Leaves - The leaves are larger and shown to have a more rounded tip.

Pomaderris hamiltonii - Less common, found only in certain areas across New Zealand.

Flowers - Creamy coloured flowers.

Leaves - More narrow leaf.

Here at Native Tree Farm, we grow and harvest from the yellow flowering kūmarahou tree -  pomaderris kumeraho.

Growing Kūmarahou from seed is our way of ensuring sustainable growing and harvesting practices.  This way also helps in our research and testing, we are able to identify the natural healing properties within our specific strain of kūmarahou we grow and share these findings with you.

Kūmarahou, a vital ingredient in our product range:

At Native Tree Farm we harvest from our certified organic stand of kūmarahou trees.  The leaves and flowers are used as a vital ingredient in our organic product range. 

Kūmarahou contains beneficial health properties that lend itself to herbal formulations and cosmetic applications. We produce a pure kūmarahou herbal tea with the leaves and flowers.