Kūmarahou
Kūmarahou plantation in Whakatāne
What Is Kūmarahou?
Kūmarahou is a native New Zealand plant used in a range of herbal preparations. The leaf is most commonly used, alongside the flower, and can be applied differently depending on whether it is fresh or dried.
Kūmarahou grows naturally in warm coastal regions across New Zealand and is most easily recognised by its clusters of bold bright yellow flowers.
Historically recognised within Māori tradition, kūmarahou is valued as part of New Zealand's native plant heritage.
Historical Uses
Māori used the flowers and leaves for daily wellness. Kūmarahou was made into tonics and cleansers.
Chest & Respiratory Support
Kūmarahou is most commonly used as a drink for:
- Chest tightness
- Persistent cough
- Congestion
General Tonic Use
Taken as a strengthening daily drink, particularly in cooler months. Its bitterness was not masked — it was part of its character.
Internal Cleansing
Consumed as a clearing infusion when the body felt sluggish or burdened.
Fever
Infusions were often taken during fever type illnesses to encourage recovery.
External Uses
Kūmarahou contains naturally occurring saponins that give it a gentle foam when used as a body cleanser/soap. The leaves were crushed or steeped into water to release natural saponins, producing a light foam. The infusion was used as a cleansing wash applied to the skin. Historical use centred around water preparations rather than ointments or balms.
Gum Digger Era
During the Northland gum-digging era, kūmarahou was prepared as a boiled infusion and consumed for coughs. It contains naturally occurring saponins that produce a mild foam in water. It was also used externally as a soap, which led to the name "Gum Digger's Soap."
Further reading — Māori herbal medicine
Why Kūmarahou Matters
Kūmarahou is less widely known than mānuka or kawakawa, yet it represents an important part of New Zealand's native plant portfolio and valued cultural history.
For us, kūmarahou reflects a commitment to cultivating a plant that is prized for its natural healing abilities. Growing kūmarahou is a difficult process which makes our job even more rewarding.
Certified organic cultivation ensures traceability and long-term care of the plant from soil through to harvest.
Certified organic kūmarahou.
Certified organic dried kūmarahou flowers.
How We Work With Kūmarahou
Our kūmarahou is certified organic, hand harvested and gently dried. It is then prepared as a herbal tea, an ingredient or infusion. Organic certification supports our focus on responsible land stewardship and sustainable native plant cultivation.
Consuming kūmarahou as a herbal tea is a delightful experience when brewed at the right temperature.
If you want to experience kūmarahou tea see our kūmarahou tea bags here.
The flavour is full bodied, slightly earthy with a level of bitterness.
Botanical Profile
Scientific name: Pomaderris kumeraho
Origin: Native to New Zealand
Plant type: Native flowering plant
Harvested part: Leaf and flower
Flavour profile: Earthy and bitter