Earth Medicine Healing Ourselves, Healing Our Home By David Bruce Leonard
Waltheria americana
Waltheria indica
‘Uhaloa: A Hawaiian Plant Powerhouse
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This native medicinal plant is literally growing at our feet. • For asthma (hānō) ‘uhaloa has been used with Solanum nigrum (pōpolo), Desmodium spp. (pua pilipili) leaves, Saccharum officinarum (kō/sugar cane), Morinda citrifolia (noni) and other local herbs. • For bronchial infections, Musa spp. (banana) sap can also be taken internally. ‘Uhaloa can also be decocted in a formula with local weeds Oldenlandia corymbosa (bai hua she she cao), Bidens pilosa (kīnehi) and Desmodium spp. (puapilipili). • Because ‘uhaloa is very astringent, it needs to be properly combined to effectively deal with bronchitis that manifests as sticky phlegm in the lungs (pa‘a). The addition of expectorants such as Commelina spp. (honohono grass) or Hibiscus tiliaceus (hau) flowers will help moisten the formula. The dosage for ‘uhaloa flowers, leaves or root bark is one to two ounces decocted alone or in small formulas. For larger formulas of six or more herbs, the dosage is one-half ounce. For a sore throat chew one thumbnail-sized piece of root cortex and swallow the juice. Kumu Dane Kaohelani Silva, a kanaka maoli (Native Hawaiian) practitioner on Hawai‘i Island, has used the ‘uhaloa oil infusion extensively as a topical treatment for numerous conditions, including diabetic neuropathy, with promising results. Interestingly, modern science has validated some of ‘uhaloa’s traditional uses. Crude extracts and compounds isolated from ‘uhaloa have been shown to have analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, antimalarial, anti-anemic, anti-oxidant, sedative and anticonvulsant effects. ‘Uhaloa shows potential therapeutic benefit in the treatment of malaria, inflammation, oxidative stress, lung infections from Klebsiella pneumoniae, and diarrhea from Candida albicans or Escherichia coli. It has been shown to be effective in the laboratory against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, with the root being the most effective part of the plant. ❖ David Bruce Leonard, L.Ac., is the founder of the Earth Medicine Institute, which offers classes and certifications on plant medicine, wild edibles and nature skills on all the Hawaiian Islands. For more information about Earth Medicine: EarthMedicineInstitute.com Never take any plant internally without a 100 percent positive identification and proper preparation. Never attempt to use herbal medicine without the guidance of a traditional elder or a licensed healthcare provider. Do not try to be your own doctor.
KeOlaMagazine.com | Maui County, April/May 2015
haloa, also called Waltheria indica, is one of our most useful and commonly found native medicines of Maui. ‘Uhaloa is indigenous—it found its way to Hawai‘i without the help of people and was here when the original Polynesian settlers landed. It also grows in other places, such as the Virgin Islands, Martinique, Central America and Africa. While most often found in dry leeward areas, it can also occasionally be found in Ha‘ikū and Huelo. Gathering this gift from the land requires respect and forethought. Because ‘uhaloa is native, it is important to not overharvest it. Although the root bark contains the strongest medicine, I typically gather the leaves and flowers and save the roots for more urgent situations. I recommend trimming off the leaves and flowers rather than pulling it up by the roots— a practice that allows this treasure to remain plentiful. For those interested in traditional Hawaiian gathering protocols, ‘uhaloa has a long and rich history. In old Hawai‘i, plants were often gathered not only for the plant itself, but also to honor the deity that the plant was believed to embody. This embodiment or physical manifestation was called “kinolau.” Some say ‘uhaloa is a kinolau of the god of the ocean, Kanaloa, while others consider it the kinolau of Kamapua‘a, the pig god. ‘Uhaloa is most commonly used for sore throat, infections and asthma. It is arguably one of our best native plant medicines for sore throats and a good primary herb for bronchial or bacterial infections (it should not be used in pregnancy). According to Hawaiian tradition, the yellow flowers and buds were chewed and given to infants and children, the stems and leaves given to young people, and the roots were saved for adults. However, the whole plant can be used. Any part of the plant that is made into a tea should be decocted—simmered for 30 to 45 minutes. The root bark may be chewed for sore throat. And the whole plant can be juiced fresh for asthma or as a bitter tonic. Some interesting and useful local and traditional plant combinations include: • For neuralgia, ‘uhaloa has been used with Piper methysticum (‘awa) rhizomes. • For sore throat, ‘uhaloa can be used with Musa paradisiaca (banana) sap and/or Syzygium malaccense (‘ōhi‘a ‘ai/mountain apple inner bark). The banana sap is taken topically to coat the throat. The mountain apple tree inner bark and the ‘uhaloa root bark are chewed and the juice swallowed.
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