What is Rongoa

Have you ever wondered what people used when chemists weren't around. This is a information report that tells you what was used to heal in the past and facts about a particular plant that I like.

Have you ever thought about what people used when chemists weren’t available? Well, the answer is Rongoa. Far back in the mists of time, when the world was very young, Maori people used Rongoa to stop cuts from bleeding, to clear a blocked nose, an ointment for blisters, and many other things. Rongoa was used in the past and is still used today. Rongoa is a traditional Maori medicine. It is a natural medicine because it is environmental, which means it came from the earth. Rongoa is the treasure that comes from Tane, God of the forest. It was very important because they needed their own ways to heal themselves from within. It is a tradition that has been passed down from generation to generation. It is a passing down of Maori culture and history. It is hanging onto what people thought had valued in the past. In the past, Rongoa was the only way of healing the body and the mind. It was also the only way to make the unwell feel better. Tohunga were the healers and guardians of knowledge. They were the people who were well educated about Rongoa. There are lots of different plants you can use, but my favourite one is the Kanuka tree. The common name for Kanuka tree is “tea tree”. Kanuka can be used to ease a cold and blocked nose, it can also be used to help you sleep and ease aches and pains. To ease a cold and blocked nose all you need to do is boil Kanuka leaves. Once you have done that, breath in the vapour and your cold or blocked nose will disappear.To help you fall asleep, you’ll need to breath in the vapour of boiled Kanuka bark. To ease aches and pains, you’ll need to rub the water from the boiled bark and leaves. The Kanuka tree can grow up to 15 metres tall. Rongoa is still available today, thanks to the keepers of knowledge who had the wisdom to pass down their knowledge.