Koromiko was the rongoā that was sent to the Māori troops during the World War to heal the symptoms and discomfort of dysentery. It was so effective that the dried leaves were shared around to all soldiers in need.
Koromiko or Hebe stricta is a flowering plant which is endemic to Aotearoa. It has long pale green leaves and tiny white flowers that blooms in late summer early autumn. When the flowers are in bloom they are formed into a dense bunch of blooming white droplets that almost resembles a sweep or a brush. The young shoots were used for stomach complaints such as bloating, gas, nausea, diarrhoea and constipation. The fact that the koromiko flowers looks like a brush that could clean the insides of the digestive tract could be a gentle reminder of what the rongoā of koromiko can do. It is a rongoā for the puku in that it helps to restore balance ā tinana and ā wairua. Many whanau have koromiko growing in the front of their whare for this very purpose.
Koromiko leaves can be used as a poultice to apply on the body to soothe and alleviate ulcers and skin sores. To do this simply:
Add a handful of leaves to a pot of water and let it simmer for 10 minutes.
Strain the juice and keep in a container for later use.
Take the warm leaves and apply to the skin.
The wairākau or juice of the boiled koromiko can be added to bathwater as an astringent. Astringents help cleanse skin, reduce inflammation, remove excess oil from pores. The wairākau can also be used topically to ease chafing.
When the kuia chose the koromiko to send to the Māori troops it was not only to cure their dysentry but to settle the flora within their colon. It was to strengthen their digestive system and slow down the flow of digested kai (information) and in turn, restore wairua or intuitive capabilities which was crucial for their survival.
Dysentery is a bacterial or parasitic intestinal infection that causes diarrhea. When the cells in your intestines or colon are irritated, the relaxed and regular movement of your intestines can become overactive. Essential minerals and nutrients from the food that you eat, end up being passed through the colon too quickly.
Koromiko serves as a light in a dark tunnel, enhancing your gut instincts that are sensed in the puku. Your gut instincts represent your innate wisdom, manifesting as the physical responses you experience in relation to both your external environment and your inner self.
When you experience an overwhelming “gut feeling,” your body is carrying out a primal response to subconscious information. The ultimate purpose of your gut instinct is to protect you.
Koromiko is the light in the darkest tunnel. It strengthens the pūmanawa which is a persons gut instincts. Your gut instinct is your primal wisdom. It is very visceral and physical – you feel it in your body. It is the physical reaction you have to the world around and inside of you.
When you experience an overwhelming “gut feeling,” your body is carrying out a primal response to subconscious information. The ultimate purpose of your gut instinct is to protect you.
Your body is like the television screen on which your subconscious (the radio waves) transmits its information. When you can learn to read your body, you can learn to accurately tune in to your gut instinct.
If you look at the flower of the koromiko you will see that it is shaped like a long brush with bristles. It looks as though it could be used to move and sweep the colon. Imagine the brush moving and turning through the colon brushing and sweeping away debris. See it clearing as it moves through the length of the colon. The bright white flowers acting as a light in the darkest tunnel radiating and illuminating as it goes.
We provide a Koromiko Tincture named Puku Ora, available for purchase at our online dispensary or at Māoriland in Ōtaki. We frequently recommend Puku Ora to clients experiencing digestive issues like bloating. Often, these complaints may stem from deeper emotional disturbances. I have observed that when my clients have racing thoughts and a busy mind, it tends to manifest in gastrointestinal problems. The physical symptoms reflect what is happening in their thoughts and emotions. To promote well-being, it is highly beneficial to engage in practices that help calm the mind, such as breath-work or meditation. Regular walks in the ngahere (forest) while learning to identify rākau serve as excellent mindfulness exercises. Sharing these experiences with a friend or family can enhance the practice even further.
You may be interested in joining our Rongoā Mauri app. I created it to offer support for your hauora (Wellness). You will find guided meditations created by Joanne, spiritual practices to support your wellbeing and teachings to strengthen your matakitetanga (Intuition). Every month, I host live online webinars to share the Light Codes that highlight what is important for us to know. This is your spiritual guidance app to help you navigate going deeper into the ngahere.
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