How Do You Use Medicinal Plants In Hawaii?
Ancient Hawaiians made use of all the plants in their homeland. Some were used as food, some as medicine, some for building, cordage and fiber. The plants they used for medicine are called the la’au, or healing plants. Special practitioners called kahuna la’au lapa’au, were trained from an early age to meet with patients, diagnose their conditions and prepare and administer medicines they made from many special plants. Most of these plants still exist and–like the kahunas–you can make simple, safe, effective medicines for yourself, your family or friends. Many of these Hawaiian plants have equivalents in other locales, so if you don’t live in Hawaii and you have plantain growing in your yard, for example, you can also make a simple medicine with similar plants. Make a poultice with plantain to help heal the skin. If you have a bug bite, minor burn or other minor skin ailment, a plantain poultice can speed the healing process. In a nonmetal pan, boil 3 to 4 cups of water. Wash 1/2 cup
