Hot and Spicy Horopito

Horopito (Pseudowintera colorata) is a plant that gives us clues to what it is good for by observing its natural habitat. This native plant is endemic to New Zealand and is found mostly in places where the climate is cold and damp. It can often be found growing with a type of dark fungus growing over it.

Distinguished by beautiful crimson tones dispersed in varying degrees throughout the leaves, this crimson colour is Mother Nature's way of saying, "hot hot hot!" Known for its highly anti-fungal properties, this is the reason why it is able to survive in cold, damp places where fungi thrive.

So as well as being highly anti-fungal, horopito helps to stimulate circulation, is an expectorant that helps with respiratory conditions and is anti-inflammatory. Traditionally it was used to relieve toothache and to help heal wounds by acting as a pain reliever (nicknamed bushman's painkiller) and by reducing inflammation. Its other traditional uses include the treatment of ringworm and stomachache.

Nowadays horopito is used to season and spice up cusine in various creative ways or as a simple black pepper replacement.

We use horopito in our Kumarahou & Kawakawa Chest Elixir for its chest warming properties, to help reduce inflammation in the lungs and for horopito's remarkable expectorant qualities.

Next time you're out in the bush particularly in the colder parts of New Zealand, have a look out for those crimson tones in the leaves of the horopito and observe where and how it is growing.

Helen Paul-Smith

Dip Ayurvedic Medicine