Hawaiian Medicinal Plants

KENNETH M . NAGATA 1
Assistant in Horticulture, Harold L. Lyon Arboretum

Honolulu, Hawaii. Submitted for publication 13 April 1970.
Reprinted with permission from Society for Economic Botany

The Hawaiian flora has long been considered to be one of the most distinctive in the world. Hawaii is probably the most isolated archipelago in the world, 2,000 miles from the nearest high islands, (Marquesas Islands), 600 miles from the nearest low island, (Johnston Island), and 2,100 miles from the nearest continent, (North America). This isolation and subsequent floral speciation has resulted in a flora of remarkably high endemism. Fosberg (4) calculated 94.4% of the 1,729 native species and varieties of seed plants to be unique to Hawaii, and Chock (2) states that 62.5% of the 226 species and varieties of native mosses are endemic to Hawaii. Dr. Maxwell Doty in Chock (2) claims 13% of the 420 species of marine algae to be strictly Hawaiian and, while recent studies indicate no evidence of endemism in Hawaiian fungi (1, 2, 9), 38% of the 678 species of lichens are endemic (6). While the original settlers of Hawaii undoubtedly brought many important food and medicinal plants along with them, for in-stance the coconut (Cocos nucifera), the “ti” or “ki” (Cordyline terminalis), and the sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas), they also learned to utilize the native flora. They like-wise exploited the later introductions of ‘”awa” (Piper methysticum) and guava (Psidium guajava) and the even more re-cent introduction of the pagoda flower (Clerodendrum buchananii var. fallax), onion (Allium cepa) and eucalyptus (Eucalyptus spp.).

The following is a compilation of plants which are known to have been used by the Hawaiians for medicinal purposes and includes introduced species as well as many endemics. It was derived primarily from the Kaaiakamanu and Akina publication (5) and expanded by other sources (2, 3, 7, 8). Its purpose is to present a list oriented according to the current botanical binomials (Table I). Since the Hawaiians often had different uses for different varieties of the same species (for instance in Musa), the Hawaiian names are retained. In several cases, the Latin name could not be found for the available Hawaiian name. These are numerated in Table II.

Literature Cited

1. Anastasiou, C. J. 1964. "Some aquatic Fungi Imperfecti from Hawaii." Pacific Sci. 18: 202-206.

2. Chock, A. K. 1968. Hawaiian Ethnobotanical Studies 1: Native Food and Beverage Plants. Econ. Bot. 22: 221-238.

3. Doty, Maxwell. Unpublished listing of Hawaiian Algae. (Professor of Botany, University of Hawaii.)

4. Fosberg, F. R. 1948. Derivation of the flora of the Hawaiian Islands in Zimmerman, E. C. Insects of Hawaii. I: 107-119. University of Hawaii Press, Honolulu.

5. Kaaiakamanu, D. M. & J. K. Akina. 1922. Hawaiian herbs of medicinal value, found among the mountains and else where in the Hawaiian Islands and known to the Hawaiians to possess curative and palliative properties most effective in removing physical ailments. Territory of Hawaii Board of Health, Honolulu. 77 pp.

6. Magnusson, A. H. 1955. A catalogue of the Hawaiian lichens. Ark. Bot., Ser. 2 band 3 (10):223-402.

7. Neal, M.C. 1965. In Gardens of Hawaii. Special Publication 50, Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu. 924 pp.

8. Pukui, M. K. & S. H. Elbert. 1965. Hawaiian-English Dictionary. University of Hawaii Press, Honolulu. 370 pp.

9. Sparrow, F. K. 1965. The occurrence of Physoderma in Hawaii with notes on other Hawaiian Phycomycetes. Mycopath. Mycol. Appl. 25: 119-143.

Note: The following tables have been modified from Nagata (1970) to include Flowering Plant Families (APG, 1998) and corrected mispellings of several scientific names.

Table I. Hawaiian Medicinal Plants.
Family	Name of Plant	Hawaiian Name	Part used	Medicinal use
APIACEAE	Hydrocotyle verticillata	HINAHINA	Plant	Weakness of body, lung troubles,
	Peucedanum sandwicense	MAKOU	Bark	Expectant mother
APOCYNACEAE	Alyxia olivaeformis	MAILE-KUAHIWI	Vine	Sweat bath, skin blotches
	Alyxia olivaeformis var.	MAILE-KALUHEA	Vine	Ulcers, sores
	Bleekeria sandwicensis (Ochrosia sp.)	HOLEI	Meat	General debility
	Catharanthus roseus	KIHAPAI	Bark	Purifying blood
	Nerium indicum	'OLIWA or 'OLIANA	Bark	Weaknesses of the body, skin diseases, cuts
ARACEAE	Alocasia macrorrhiza	'APE KE'OKE'O	Corm	Burns, love making by “kahunas” stomach ache
	Colocasia esculenta	KALO; TARO	Corm	Laxative
	Xanthosoma violaceum	'APE-'ELE'ELE	Entire plant	Worms
ARALIACEAE	Cheirodendron gaudichaudii	'OLAPA	Bark	Asthma
ARECACEAE	Cocos nucifera	NIU	Shoots, ashes of dry meat	Deep cuts, general debility, rubbing compound, swollen womb
	Pritchardia hillebrandii	LOULU-LELO	Bud, meat of seed	General body weakness
ASTERACEAE	Adenostemma lavenia	KAMANAMANA	Leaves	Fever
	Artemisia australis var. scholsiana	'AHINAHINA	Leaves, trunk, roots	Fever, asthma, lung trouble
	Bidens spp.	KO'OKO'OLAU	Flowers	General debility, stimulating appetite, asthma
	Conyza spp.	ILIOHA	Plant	Sore lip, burning within chest
	Wikstroemia spp.	'AKIA LAU-NUI	Plant	Asthma, used for laxative
	Xanthium strumarium var. canadense	KIKANIA	Ashes of leaves	Asthma, sores, boils, ulcers
BALSAMINACEAE	Impatiens balsamina	'OLEPE	Entire plant	Ulcers
BIXACEAE	Bixa orellana	'ALAEA	Dry wood	Fainting, sore mouth, impure blood
BOMBACACEAE= MALVACEAE	Kokia spp.	KOKI'O	Leaves, buds	Constipation, purifying blood
BORAGINACEAE	Heliotropium anomalum var. argenteum	LIMU-LIPOA-KUAHIWI	Flowers and leaves	General debility, lung trouble, sexual and other vital organs
BRASSICACEAE	Nasturtium officinale	LEKO-'ELE'ELE; LEKO-KE'OKE'O	Entire plant	Asthma, head cold, throat
BROMELIACEAE	Ananas comosus	HALA-KAHIKI	Fruit	Purifying blood
CACTACEAE	Opuntia magacantha	PA-NINI	Juice, roots	Expectant mother, constipation
CAMPANULACEAE	Clermontia arborescens	'OHA-WAI-NUI	Sap from shrub	Deep cuts, asthma, restoring milk in dry breasts
CAPPARACEAE= BRASSICACEAE	Capparis sandwichiana	PUA-PILO	Entire plant	Broken bones
CARICACEAE	Carica papaya	HE'I	Papaya milk	Cuts
CHENOPODIACEAE= AMARANTHACEAE	Chenopodium oahuense; C. album	'AHEA; 'AHEAHEA; 'AHEWA- HEWA; ALAWEO; AWEOWEO	Flower Buds	Stomach trouble, Weakness in children, fattening
COMMELINACEAE	Commelina diffusa	MAKOLOKOLO; HONOHONO	Plant	Purifying blood
CONVOLVULACEAE	Ipomoea alba	KOALI-PEHU	Entire plant	Laxative
	Ipomoea batatas	'UALA-HUA-MOA 'UALA-KIHI 'UALA-MOHIHI 'UALA-MU-KO-I 'UALA-APO 'UALA-PIKONUI 'UALA-PI-API-A 'UALA-KAHALAORAIPU 'UALA-KALA 'UALA-LEHUA	Bulb	Vomiting Asthma Vomiting Constipation Vomiting Fallen womb Vomiting Vomiting Vomiting Laxative Asthma
	Ipomoea congesta	KOALI-'AWAHIA	Entire plant	Laxative, backaches, broken bones
	Ipomoea pes-caprae	POHUEHUE	Plant	Expectant mother
	Ipomoea tuberosa	PILI-KAI	Plant	Laxative
	Jacquemontia sandwicensis	PA'U-0-HI'I-AKA; KAKUA-0- HI'I-AKA	Plant	Weakness of the body in babies
	Stictocardia campanulata	PILI-KAI	Plant	Laxative
CUCURBITACEAE	Citrullus vulgaris	IPU-HAOLE	Entire fruit	Laxative
	Cucurbita maxima	IPU-PU	Entire fruit	Rash
	Lagenaria siceraria	IPU-'AWA'AWA	Leaves	Partial insanity due to lack of sleep, laxative
CYPERACEAE	Cyperus auriculatus	MAU'U PU'UKA'A	Bud, leaves, roots	Aches
	Cyperus javanicus	'AHU-AWA	Stem with flowers	General debility
	Cyperus laevigatus	MAKALOA	Plant	Difficulty in discharging urine
	Scirpus validus	'AKA'AKAI-NAKU; NEKI	Root	Pain of stomach or intestines, and for internal homorrhage
DIOSCOREACEAE	Dioscorea alata	UHI-KE'OKE'0 UHl-'ULA	Bulb Piece of plant	Fever Constipation
EPACRIDACEAE= ERICACEAE	Styphelia tameiameia	PUKIAWE; MAIELE; 'A'ALI'I-MAKU	2-leaf bud	Cold, headache
EUPHORBIACEAE	Aleurites moluccana	KUKUI	Flowers, nuts, bark	General debility, asthma, sores, ulcers, swollen womb, laxative
	Antidesma pulvinatum	HA'A	Leaves	Vomiting, ulcers, scrofulous sores
	Euphorbia multiformis	'AKOKO	Bud, leaf	General debility
	Ricinus communis	KOLI	Leaves	Fever
FABACEAE	Acacia koa	KOA	Leaves	Bedridden persons
	Acacia koaia	KOAI'A	Leaves	Diseased skin
	Caesalpinia crista	KALALAIOA	Meat of bean	Laxative, purifying blood, congestion
	Canavalia cathartica	MAUNA-LOA	Leaves, roots, seeds	Cuts, purifying blood, worms, skin diseases
	Canavalia galeata	'AWIKIWIKI	Entire plant	Itch, ringworm and kindred skin diseases
	Erythrina sandwicensis	WILIWILI	Flower	Venereal diseases
	Indigofera suffruticosa	'INIKO	Entire plant	Rheumatic pain, backache, womb
	Mucuna gigantea	KA'E'E	Meat of seed	Laxative
	Sesbania grandiflora	'OHAI-KE'OKE'O	Bark	Fever
	Sida fallax	'ILIMA; 'ILIMA-KU-KULA 'ILIMA-MAKANA'A	Flowers Entire plant	General debility, womb, asthma
	Sophora chrysophylla	MAMANE	Flowers	Astringent
	Vigna marina	'OKOLE-MAKILI; NANEA; MOHIHIHI	Buds, leaves, flowers	General weakness, asthma, boils
	Vitex trifolia var. simplicifolia	POHINAHINA; KOLOKOLO- KAHAKAI	Seeds, tea from leaves and wood	Pains in back, swollen feet, rheumatism, bath
GESNERIACEAE	Cyrtandra spp.	HA'I-WALE; KANAWAO-KE'OKE'O	Fruit	Weak physical condition
GOODENIACEAE	Scaevola spp.	NAUPAKA	Bark of roots	Cuts, skin diseases
LAURACEAE	Cassytha filiformis	KAUNA'OA-UKA	Entire plant	Congestion
LILIACEAE	Allium cepa common variety	'AKA'AKAl	Bulb	Tuberculosis, colds, venereal diseases
	Allium cepa var.	'AKA'AKAI-KIKANIA	Bulb	Ear trouble
	Allium cepa-wild var.	'AKA'AKAI-MAHINA	Bulb	Sore throat
	Cordyline terminalis	KI; TI	Flower	Growth in nostrils, asthma, dry fever, run-down condition
	Dracaena aurea	HALA-PEPE	Bud, bark	Chills, fever, lung trouble, asthma
MALVACEAE	Abutilon molle	MA’O	Flowers, bark of roots	Stomach ache
	Hibiscus tiliaceus	'AWAPUHI-KE'OKE'O	Buds	Laxative, congested chest, childbirth,
	Hibiscus youngianus	HINAHINA-KU-KAHAKAI;	Flower	dry throat
MORACEAE	Artocarpus communis	'ULU	Sap from tree	Cuts, scratches, scaly or cracked skin, ulcers
MUSACEAE	Musa spp.	MAI'A-LELE MAI'A-MAOLI MAI'A-IHO-LENA MAI'A-KOA'E MAI'A-HA'A MAI'A-MANAI-ULA MAI'A-POPO-'ULU MAI'A-POPO-'ULU-ILI'LAHl	Bud, flower Fruit Roots, shoot Fruit Bud Fruit Roots, shoot Fruit	Body weakness Stomach cramps Stomach disorders Constipation Internal disorders Asthma Asthma or chest ailments Worms
	Musa spp.	MAI'A-PUAPUA-NUI	Bud	General weakness of body
MYRTACEAE	Eucalyptus spp.	NUHOLANI	Leaves	Sweat bath, sores, sprains, backaches, rheumatic pains, cuts
	Eugenia malaccensis	'OHI'A-'AI	Bark	Sores of the mouth, general debility
	Eugenia spp.	'OHI'A	Leaves, buds, bark, and roots	Cuts, general debility, bad breath, and sores about the mouth
	Metrosideros polymorpha	'OHI'A-APANE; 'OHI'A-LEHUA	Flowers	Aiding in childbirth
	Metrosideros spp.	'AHIHI; 'AHIHI-KU-MA-KUA	Leaf	Colds
	Psidium guajava	KUAWA	Buds	Deep cuts, sprains, diarrhea
NYCTAGINACEAE	Boerhavia diffusa	ALENA	Roots	Diuretic
	Mirabilis jalapa	NANI-AKIAHI	Leaves	Rash, sores
ONAGRACEAE	Jussiaea suffruticosa var. ligustraefolia	KAMOLE-LAU-NUI KAMOLE-LAU-LI'I	Seeds Plant	Small cuts, scratches Purifying blood
OXALIDACEAE	Oxalis corniculata	‘IHI-'AI	Entire plant	General debility
	Oxalis martiana	'IHI-PEHU	Entire plant	General debility
PANDANACEAE	Freycinetia arborea	'IE'IE	Stems	General debility, fever
	Pandanus odoratissimus	HALA	Flower	Constipation, weakness because of giving birth to large number of children, chest pains
PAPAVERACEAE	Argemone glauca	PUA-KALA	Sap of plant	Toothache, neuralgia, ulcers
PIPERACEAE	Peperomia spp.	'ALA'ALA-WAI-NUI-KANE 'ALA'ALA-WAI-POHINA	Bud Leaves, stems	Asthma General debility, scrofulous swellings, ulcers
	Piper methysticum	'AWA	Leaves, bark, roots	General debility, weary muscles, chill, colds, headaches, lung and kindred troubles, displacement of womb
PITTOSPORACEAE	Pittosporum spp.	HO'AWA	Bark Fruit	Swelling Sores
PLANTAGINACEAE	Plantago major	LAU-KAHI; KUHEKILI	Leaves	General debility, pulmonary diseases, physically weak, boils, high blood pressure
PLUMBAGINACEAE	Plumbago zeylanica	'ILIE'E	Leaves, stems	Swelling, sores
POACEAE	Cenchrus calyculatus	KAMANOMANO	Shoots, leaves, roots	Sores, cuts
	Coix lacryma-jobi	PU'OHE'OHE	Leaves	Diabetes
	Digitaria henryi; D. puriens; D. sanguinalis; D. timorensis	KUKAE-PUA'A	Shoots	Run-down condition, cataract
	Paspalum orbiculare	MAU'U-LAIKI	Plant	Skin diseases
	Saccharum officinarum	KO	Shoot	Cuts
	Saccharum officinarum (variegated var.)	'AINA-KEA	Cane	Internal difficulties of the male
	Sporobolus virginicus	'AKI'AKI	Leaf and stem	Excessive catamenia
POLYGONACEAE	Rumex giganteus	PAWALE	Plant	Purifying blood, leprosy, consumption, heart disease, weakness of body, conditioning mother for pregnancy
RHAMNACEAE	Alphitonia ponderosa	KAUILA; KAUWILA	Wood	Fainting, skin contraction owing to fear
ROSACEAE	Fragaria chiloensis	'OHELO-PAPA	Shoots, leaves, and berries	Stomach ache
	Osteomeles anthyllidifolia	'ULEI; ELUEHE	Buds, seeds	General debility
	Rubus hawaiiensis; R. macraei	'AKALA; 'AKALAKALA	Ashes of plant	Scaly scalp, burning in chest, vomiting
RUBIACEAE	Bobea spp.	'AHAKEA	Bark	Blood purifying, ulcers
	Morinda citrifolia	NONI	Fruit	Deep cuts
RUTACEAE	Pelea cinerea	MANENA	Bark	Venereal diseases
	Pelea spp.	ALANI-KUAHIWI	Leaves	Beauty remedy, general debility, purifying blood
SANTALACEAE	Santalum spp.	'IHI-AHI	Leaves	Removing dandruff and for destroying
SAPINDACEAE	Dodonaea spp.	A'ALI'I	Leaf	Rash, itch
SAPOTACEAE	Pouteria sandwicensis	'ALA'A	Bark, leaves	General debility, fever
SAXIFRAGACEAE	Broussaisia arguta; B. palludosa	KANAWAO	Fruit	Aid to conception
	Broussonetia papyrifera	WAUKE	Bark	Expectant mother
SOLANACEAE	Capsicum annuum	NIOI	Plant	Skin diseases, scrofulous sores, asthma, bad blood
	Datura stramonium	KIKANIA	Ashes from leaves	Asthma, sores, boils, ulcers
	Nicotiana glauca; N. tabacum	PAKA	Leaf	Sores, boils, cuts
	Nothocestrum breviflorum; N. latifolium; N. longifolium; N. peltatum; N. subcordatum	'AIEA or HALENA	Ripe leaves, bark and tap-root	Ulcers, scrofulous sores
	Solanum nigrum	POPOLO	Leaves, stems, fruit	Sprains
STERCULIACEAE= MALVACEAE	Waltheria americana	'UHA-LOA; HI'ALOA; 'ALA'ALA-PU-LOA	Buds, bark of roots	Sore throat, asthma, run-down condition, loss of weight
URTICACEAE	Pipturus spp.	MAMAKI	Meat of seed	General debility, expectant mother
VERBENACEAE	Clerodendrum buchananii var. fallax	'AHI-HI or LAU'AWA	Bud, root	Constipation
	Porphyra leucosticta	LIMU-LU'AU	Weed	Chest ailments
ZINGIBERACEAE	Curcuma domestica	'OLENA	Bulb	Growth in nostrils, cleansing blood, gargle
	Hedychium coronarium	LIMU-MANAUEA	Flower and root	Fetid nostrils
	Zingiber zerumbet	'AWAPUHI-KUAHIWI	Ashes of leaves	Cuts, skin sores, headaches,toothache, ringworm

Table II. Unidentified Medicinal Plants.
	Name of Plant	Hawaiian Name of Plant	Part Used	Medicinal Use
	?	IWA-IWA	Leaves	Beauty remedy for children up to 6 months old
	?	Kalaipahoa—name for 3 woods: KAUILA NIUI 'OHE	Wood	Ulcers, scrofulous sores, asthma
	?	HAPUE	Flowers, leaves, buds, roots	Constipation
	?	LUMAHA'I	Bud, fruit	Purifying blood
	?	MAKIAWAHINE	Plant	Skin diseases
	?	MOKUHALII	Tea from plant	Cold, fever, sweat bath
	?	NAUNAU	Plant	Broken bones

Table III. FERNS and FERN ALLIES
	Name of Plant	Hawaiian Name of Plant	Part Used	Medicinal Use
PTERIDOPHYTA	Adiantum capillus-veneris	'IWA-'IWA KAHAKAHA	Leaves	Sores
	Adiantum spp.	'IWA'IWA	Leaves	Sores
	Asplenium horridum	'IWA	Leaves, roots	Stomach trouble
	Asplenium nidus	'EKAHA KUAHIWI	Shoots	General weakness, ulcers, sores
	Aspleniuni nidus var.	'EKAHAKAHA	Shoots	Asthma, halitosis
	Athyrium arnottii	HO'I'O; POHOLE	Shoots	Boils
	Athyrium microphyllum	'AKOLEA	Bud, trunk	Restore lost appetite
	Cibotium splendens	HAPU'U	Meat within trunk	Purification of blood, stimulating appetite
	Cyrtomium caryotideum	'AHINA-KUAHIWI; KA'APE'APE	Entire plant	General debility, stomach trouble
	Microlepia setosa	PALAPALAI	Plant	Insanity
	Sadleria spp.	'AMA'U	Trunk, shoots	Asthma, boils
	Sadleria hillebrandii	TI; 'AMA'U-'I'I	Stems	Sores, chaffed skin, asthma, halitosis
	Sphenomeris chusana	PALA'A	Leaves	Constipation

Table III. OTHER (SEAWEED and HARD/SOFT CORALS)
ANTIPATHIDAE	Antipathes grandis	'EKAHA-KU-MOANA	Piece of plant	Sores, lung trouble
VALONIACEAE	Dictyosphaeria favulosa	LIMU-LI-PUU-PUU	Weed	Body weakness in children
ULVACEAE	Enteromorpha compressa; E. intestinalis; Enteromorpha spp.	LIMU-'ELE'ELE-KAI	Weed	White blotches on the skin
GELIDIACEAE	Gelidium filicinum	'AKOKO	Weed	Miscarriage
GRACILARIACEAE	Gracilaria coronopifolia	'OHELO-PAPA	Weed	Miscarriage
FUCACEAE	Haliseris pardalis; H. plagiogramma	LIMU-MANAUEA	Weed	Mouth sores, especially in children
	Mezoneuron kauaiense	WLIUKI	Bark, young leaves	Purifying blood
PITHOPHORACEAE	Pithophora affinis	LIMU-LIPALA-WAI	Weed	Congestion
ZYGNEMATACEAE	Spirogyra spp.	LIMU-KALA-WAI	Weed	Burning in chest
CHAETOPHORACEAE	Stigeoclonium falldandicum	LIMU-LIPALA-WAI	Weed	Congestion
DENDROPHYLLIIDAE	Turbinaria	LIMU-KALA-KAI	Weed	Body weakness in children
DICTYOTACEAE	Dictyota acultiloba var. distorta; D. dichotoma; D. divaricata	LIMU-LIPOA-KUAHIWI	Weed	Mouth sores, especially with children
DUMONTIACEAE	Laurencia spp.	LIMU-LI-PUU-PUU	Weed	Body weakness in children
HYPNEACEAE	Hypnea armata	LIMU-MANAUEA	Weed	diseases of sexual organs
HYPNEACEAE	Hypnea nidifica	LIMU-MANAUEA	Weed	Disorder in alimentary canal
MONOSROMATACEAE	Monostroma latissimum	LIMU-PAHAPAHA-KAI	Weed (Dried)	Asthma
MONOSROMATACEAE	Monostroma spp.	LIMU-LIPALAHALAHA	Weed	Stomach ache
SARGASSACEAE	Sargassum cymosum Sargassum echinocarpum; S. polyphyllum; Sargassum spp.	LIMU-KALA-KAI	Weed	Weakness in small children Body weakness in children
ULVACEAE	Ulva fasciata	LIMU-LIPALAHALAHA	Weed	Stomach ache, asthma
ULVACEAE	Ulva lactuca; Ulva spp.	LIMU-LIPALAHALAHA	Weed	Stomach ache
VALONIACEAE	Valonia utricularis	LIMU-LI-PUU-PUU	Weed	Body weakness in children
?	Asparagopsis sanfordiana	LIMU-LIPEHU	Weed	White blotches on skin, rash