FAQ's
What is kūmarahou?
Kūmarahou (Pomaderris kumeraho) is a native New Zealand shrub that has been treasured for generations in traditional Māori rongoā (plant-based healing practices). Known for its distinctive clusters of bright yellow flowers in spring, kūmarahou naturally grows in many parts of the North Island, particularly in areas with well-drained soils.
Traditionally, the leaves and flowers have been prepared as herbal infusions and syrups, especially during the colder months. Kūmarahou naturally contains plant compounds including saponins, flavonoids and tannins, which have made it one of New Zealand's most recognised native wellness plants.
At Natures Therapeutics, we carefully prepare our kūmarahou products using quality New Zealand-grown kūmarahou to honour both tradition and quality.
What is kūmarahou traditionally used for?
For generations, kūmarahou has played an important role in Māori rongoā.
Traditionally, the leaves and flowers were prepared as herbal infusions or syrups and were commonly used during the winter season to support respiratory wellbeing and general comfort. Kūmarahou has long been valued as one of New Zealand's most respected native wellness plants.
Today, kūmarahou continues to be enjoyed in herbal syrups, teas, lozenges and oral sprays as part of many people's seasonal wellness routines.
What makes kūmarahou unique?
Kūmarahou is unique because it naturally contains compounds known as saponins, which create a gentle foaming effect when the leaves are mixed with water. This characteristic inspired the plant's English nickname, "gumdigger's soap," as early settlers sometimes used it as a natural cleanser.
Alongside its saponins, kūmarahou contains naturally occurring flavonoids, tannins and other plant compounds that contribute to its long history of traditional use in New Zealand.
Its combination of cultural significance, unique chemistry and traditional preparation methods makes kūmarahou one of Aotearoa's most distinctive native plants.
How is kūmarahou traditionally prepared?
Traditionally, kūmarahou leaves and flowers were carefully harvested and prepared as herbal infusions or decoctions.
The plant material was gently simmered or steeped in water to produce a herbal liquid that could be enjoyed during the colder months. Some preparations were combined with other native botanicals or natural ingredients depending on traditional practices and regional knowledge.
Today, modern manufacturing methods allow kūmarahou extracts to be incorporated into syrups, oral sprays and other wellness products while maintaining consistent quality.
What compounds are found in kūmarahou?
Kūmarahou naturally contains a range of plant compounds that continue to be studied by researchers.
These include:
- Saponins – naturally occurring compounds responsible for the plant's gentle foaming properties.
- Flavonoids – naturally occurring plant antioxidants found in many botanical species.
- Tannins – naturally occurring polyphenols present in the leaves.
- Polyphenols – plant compounds that contribute to the plant's overall phytochemical profile.
Researchers continue to investigate these naturally occurring compounds to better understand their characteristics and traditional uses. Many Māori practitioners are well versed in the variations and uses of this special plant.
How is kūmarahou extract made?
Kūmarahou extract is produced by carefully preparing the leaves and flowers to capture the plant's naturally occurring compounds.
The process generally involves:
- Harvesting healthy kūmarahou leaves and flowers.
- Carefully cleaning and preparing the plant material.
- Gently extracting the botanical compounds using water or another suitable extraction method.
- Filtering the extract to remove plant material.
- Incorporating the extract into products such as herbal syrups, oral sprays or wellness formulations.
At Natures Therapeutics, we carefully prepare our kūmarahou products using quality ingredients and controlled manufacturing processes to ensure consistency and quality.
Can kūmarahou be taken every day?
Many people include kūmarahou products as part of their seasonal wellness routine, particularly during the colder months.
As with any herbal product, it is important to follow the recommended directions for use provided on the product label. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or have a medical condition, consult your healthcare professional before using herbal products.
Where does kūmarahou grow?
Kūmarahou is native to New Zealand and grows naturally throughout much of the North Island, particularly in open, sunny locations with well-drained soils.
It is often one of the first native shrubs to colonise disturbed ground and is easily recognised in spring by its striking golden-yellow flower clusters. Its resilience and abundance have made it an important plant in traditional Māori knowledge for generations.
When does kūmarahou flower?
Kūmarahou produces its vibrant golden-yellow flower clusters during spring, typically between September and November in New Zealand. The bright flowers are one of the easiest ways to identify the plant in the wild and are an important food source for native insects and pollinators.
Flowering times can vary depending on climate and location, but the arrival of kūmarahou blossoms has traditionally been seen as a sign that spring has arrived.
What does kūmarahou taste like?
Kūmarahou has a distinctive earthy, slightly bitter flavour, which is typical of many traditional herbal plants.
The bitterness comes from the plant's naturally occurring compounds and is often considered a characteristic feature rather than a drawback. Many kūmarahou syrups and herbal preparations include ingredients such as honey or natural sweeteners to create a more balanced and enjoyable flavour.
Why is kūmarahou important in Māori Rongoā?
Kūmarahou has long been regarded as one of Aotearoa's important native medicinal plants within Māori rongoā.
Its significance extends beyond its traditional uses. The plant represents generations of mātauranga Māori (traditional knowledge), where an understanding of native plants was carefully observed, practised, and passed from one generation to the next. Today, kūmarahou continues to hold cultural value while inspiring modern herbal products that honour this traditional knowledge.
What is kūmarahou's gift to the whenua?
Kūmarahou's gift to the whenua is its role as a pioneer species. It is one of the first native shrubs to establish itself on burnt, disturbed, depleted, or exposed land. By doing so, it helps begin the natural process of restoring the whenua.
Its gifts include:
- Protecting the soil from erosion with its root system.
- Stabilising disturbed ground, especially after fire, logging, or land clearance.
- Providing shelter for young native seedlings to establish beneath it.
- Supporting biodiversity by producing nectar-rich flowers that attract native bees, insects, and other pollinators.
- Helping regenerate native forest by creating conditions that allow larger trees to grow over time.
Kūmarahou is often one of nature's first healers. When the whenua has been disturbed, kūmarahou is among the first native plants to return. Its roots help stabilise the soil, its flowers nourish pollinators, and its presence creates shelter for the next generation of native plants. Long before people recognised its value in rongoā, kūmarahou was already caring for the land itself—restoring, protecting, and preparing the way for new life. In many ways, its first gift has always been to the whenua.
More general information:
Kūmarahou’s special gift is to heal the whenua (land) after she has been scorched by fire. The Kūmarahou [Pomaderris Kumeraho] plant helps to heal poor soils so that in time it can sustain more life after she had done her work. Kūmarahou is diverse in her healing properties and as she does for the land, she does for us too. She is taken internally for respiratory complaints and digestive disorders and used topically for skin conditions. Kūmarahou has a healing effect on our lungs by aiding the body to heal damaged lung tissue. This is one of the reasons it is an immensely respected plant by Māori. It is a blood purifier and detoxes your lungs, liver kidneys, skin, lymphatic and urinary systems.
Kūmarahou is in full flower around the northern regions, August – October. The emerging kūmarahou flower signals the time to plant your Kūmarahou seedlings and the fattening of kina. Kūmarahou used to be very abundant in the top half of Aotearoa New Zealand's North Island, and especially so in Te Tai Tokerau (Northland). As people move more and more into its natural habitat it has become less widespread. When she is in flower, many in their excitement, rush to harvest as much as they can while she is easily identifiable by her golden flowers. If we harvest Kūmarahou while she is flowering, she will not set seed for the next generation. Our native Kūmarahou growing in the bush is rapidly diminishing. There is great opinion, that the large number of people harvesting at the wrong time of year is contributing to her decline. Resist harvesting Kūmarahou when she is flowering unless absolutely necessary. Natures Therapeutics is committed to sustainability – we do not harvest from the bush. All our Kūmarahou comes from purpose designed grow areas and are harvested in line with tikanga (Māori custom). As well as ensuring we do not contribute further to the decline, our kūmarahou is spray and pesticide free.
The best time to harvest is in January or February after she has set her seed and a new flush of growth has begun. The plant is strong and healthy with an abundance of leaves at this time. If we do this there will be as many, if not more, Kūmarahou plants next year to harvest from and store for the coming winter months.
Kūmarahou was and continues to be a significant botanical in rongoā Māori. Although there has been very little scientific research conducted, Māori have passed down generations of knowledge.
Actions of this product -
- Expectorant
- Antimicrobial
- Analgesic
- Antiseptic
- Antioxidant
- Vulnerary
- Anti-inflammatory
- Anti-dyspeptic
- Antiviral
Benefits that may be experienced -
- Improve breathing difficulty
- Break up and shift mucus
- Clear congestion
- Reduce throat tickle and cough
- Promote a productive cough
- Soothe a sore throat
- Relieve a runny nose
- Expel toxins and pathogens from the body
- Helps many skin conditions
Ailments that may benefit -
Asthma, Emphysema, COPD, COVID-19, flu, pneumonia, bronchitis, common cold, sinus, hay-fever, and other respiratory allergies. Burns, sores, cuts, grazes, eczema and, psoriasis. Some kidney, liver, lymphatic and, urinary system conditions.
The following are directions for making your own traditional tonic using kūmarahou.
Prior to harvesting a hand full of leaves offer a quiet karakia to acknowledge Tāne’s gift and the purpose for which we need to harvest this taonga.
Method
Cover your kūmarahou leaves with cold water (about 1.5 litres) in a stainless steel pot. Bring this to the boil and simmer gently for 15 – 20 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat and strain the plant material from the water using a clean cloth or muslin. This water is your wairākau (tonic). When the liquid has cooled you can store it in the fridge until needed. For health reasons use your wairākau within 7 days. Return the spent leaves to Papatūānuka. Never discard your used leaves in the rubbish.
Dosage
Mix half a cup of cold wairākau with half a cup of hot water. Drink 2 – 3 cups each day. The taste gets better as you become accustomed to the initial kawa (sour) bite of the first mouthful.
its not magic, its nature® - ehara i te mahi tūmatarau, ko te ao tuturu
DISCLAIMER -
Natures Therapeutics Limited™ incorporate hemp seed oil and/or botanicals traditionally used successfully by Māori to treat ailments and conditions and/or simply aid overall better health and well-being. Our product range has been developed allowing both tradition and science to merge and provide a modern delivery of ancient well-being applications and techniques. Natures Therapeutics Limited™ make no claim that our products can heal/cure any condition or ailment.
Product manufactured, bottled and/or packaged by Medicorp New Zealand Limited™ under licence from Natures Therapeutics Limited.