Exploring kānuka

Early results suggest a rongoā Māori plant may improve the effects of a drug with anti-ageing potential.

- BY NICKY PELLEGRINO

Kānuka trees grow throughout New Zealand and have long been a part of traditional Māori healing or rongoā. With antimicrobial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties, historically, the leaves of kānuka were ground and extracted into a tea to help with gastrointestinal pain, or turned into a paste to help with skin infections. Its steam vapours were used to treat respiratory problems.

Now scientists are looking at what else the bio-active ingredients in this native plant might help. Already, a 2022 New Zealand clinical trial, has identified that adding kānuka essential oil to an emollient cream made it more effective at treating moderate-to-severe eczema than using the cream on its own.

Now, there is an even more intriguing potential for kānuka. Exploratory science conducted here suggests that it may have a part to play in the ongoing quest to extend human lifespan.

This finding is the result of a partnership between Wellington's Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of and Ruatoria-based Hikurangi Bioactives, which develops products derived from kānuka oil.