Pomaderris kumeraho
Pomaderris kumeraho or kūmarahou, also known as gumdigger's soap, is a plant endemic to the North Island of New Zealand. The name kūmarahou is a Māori word signifying a shrub.[1] Kūmarahou grows up to four meters in height, and flowers in September, with yellow blossoms. The name "Gumdigger's soap" was given owing to the lather created when the flowers were rubbed with water.
| Kumarahou | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Rosales |
| Family: | Rhamnaceae |
| Genus: | Pomaderris |
| Species: | P. kumeraho |
| Binomial name | |
| Pomaderris kumeraho | |
Medicinal uses
Kūmarahou has many uses in traditional Māori medicine, although there is little scientific confirmation of its benefits.[2] Infusions of the leaves have been said to relieve various respiratory ailments and skin disorders.[3]
References
- "kumarahou – Māori Dictionary". maoridictionary.co.nz. Retrieved 18 December 2017.
- Herb Federation of New zealand (March 2008). "Pomaderris kumaraho".
- "Demystifying Rongoā Māori: Traditional Māorihealing". Best Practice Journal. 13: 35. 2008.
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