Enjoy this tonic and tea which is 100% native leaves - blended from Kumarahou and Kawakawa - half in half. Also try this blend with your favourite green teas.
Here is a suggested health tonic recipe -
HealthAugust 15, 2018
KAWAKAWA AND KUMARAHOU RONGOA WINTER TONIC
Michele Wilson from Frankie Apothecary has a long-standing love affair with kawakawa ...
I make this rongoā tonic for my children and I every winter, and they have not suffered with a cold since I began. Both kawakawa (Macro piper excelsum) and kūmarahou (Pomaderris kumeraho) have been used by Māori for generations to treat coughs and colds.
Harvest only as much as needed (not from trees beside the road) using karakia, intent and thanks. Below is one of Michele’s favourite karakia for harvest.
KARAKIA FOR HARVESTING
Nāu nei ngā hua
Hei oranga mō te tangata
Tēnei au e whakaiti nei
Kia ora i tēnei rongoā
Nā e Taane e
WHAT YOU’LL NEED TO MAKE YOUR TONIC
- Small handful dried kawakawa leaves*
- Small handful of dried kūmarahou leaves*
- 1/2 litre good apple cider vinegar
- 4-6 lemons
- fresh ginger chopped small
- 3-4 tablespoons good manuka honey
* gathered according to rongoā principles.
DIRECTIONS FOR MAKING YOUR TONIC
Place dried leaves in a pot of cold water (approx 3 cups) and bring to a boil for 10-20 minutes. Take off heat and leave to cool for an hour or so.
While cooling, cut lemons into quarters and place in a 1 litre glass jar, adding apple cider vinegar, ginger and the dried leaf infusion (including leaves).
Shake well, place lid on firmly and store in fridge to infuse for one week.
Strain everything into a clean glass jar and add honey.
It’s ready!