harrisonsurbanblog

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Pre-European

In the 18th century, scientist Joseph Banks observed that Māori were in good health and appeared to suffer from few diseases:

‘So simple a diet accompanied with moderation must be productive of sound health, which indeed these people are blessd with in a very high degree. ... I do not remember a single instance of a person distemperd in any degree that came under my inspection ... Such health drawn from so sound principles must make physicians almost useless.’

Story by Rhys Jones, published 24 Sep 2007

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Does it work?

As a young boy with severe breathing problems, western medicine could not help New Zealand author Witi Ihimaera. So his mother sought out a famous Maori tohunga (spiritual expert), Paraiti, the scar-faced healer who travelled on horseback between the North Island's east coast villages curing the communities' illnesses.

She steamed the young Ihimaera in a concoction of native plants, plying his throat with manuka honey. After three days she fished the phlegm from his esophagus, and, according to Ihimaera, saved his life.

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A scene from the film White Lies.

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Rongoa Maori massage

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Ngā Rongoā Rakau (herbal medicines/ remedies)

Ngā Rongoā Rakau is a gift from nature; it is often basic food found in our diet and includes a wide range of leaves, bark, berries, roots, gums, seeds, stems and flowers. They have been used for hundreds of years to help maintain and restore good health.

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Honohono (spiritual energy healing)

Honohono is a guided method of healing. It uses vibrational energy techniques for improving and maintaining health by balancing the bodies’ energy system. Honohono can be a stand-alone treatment and the aim is to balance your Mauri (life principal) and Wairua (spirit) on a non-physical level. Benefits are similar to haumiri.

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Haumiri (massage)

Haumiri uses different strokes and techniques, rhythmically and gradually building up speed and pressure. Haumiri goes beyond relaxation. It may help to maintain and improve a more balanced life. Benefits range from increasing the level of oxygen in the blood to improving circulation and flexibility while easing tension.

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Different healing types involved in Rongoa

Haumiri (massage)

Honohono (spiritual energy healing)

Ngā Rongoā Rakau (herbal medicines/ remedies)

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What happens during treatment?

During your initial visit, your Tohunga practitioner will ask about your health and your reasons for seeking treatment. 

Confidentiality is guaranteed and information will only be shared with another person or organisation with the clients’ written permission.

You will lie fully clothed on a padded table and the practitioner will place his/her hands or feathers on or near your body at various positions, including the head, abdomen, feet and back. The hands or feathers are held still for four or five minutes (up to 20 minutes if a blockage is detected) before moving them to a new position. Most people who have experienced a traditional Māori healing session have described that they felt a warm or cool breeze or tingling from the practitioner’s hands or feathers as the energy is channeled through them.

The initial session will take 1½ hours; thereafter the session will last for 60 minutes depending on what is discussed.

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Currently funded providers of Rongoā services in New Zealand.

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Influential Rongoa teachers

Donna Kerridge is one of the leading Rongoa teachers and was even asked to be part of the committee that developed the national rongoā Māori standards as well as being the program supervisor for the South Pacific College of Natural Medicines newly NZQA approved Graduate Diploma in Māori Medicine. 

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Treatment today

Today’s healers differ significantly from the tohunga of old times. Training is highly variable, usually informal, and often less tribally-bound than the rigorous education of the whare wānanga (house of higher learning).

Many modern healers work in urban clinics, some alongside mainstream health professionals. They experiment, incorporating knowledge and practices from Western and other medical systems. As a result their work is idiosyncratic, with no standard system of diagnosis or consensus about treatments. Despite this, many healers are recognised as having knowledge and ability that has been passed down from their whānau, hapū or iwi.

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Plants being prepared 

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Kōwhai

The bark from the tree was used to treat bruises. It was crushed and steeped in boiling water for hours. Severe bruises were bathed in the liquid that was created. 

Kowhai was particularly useful for treating wounds. The leaves were boiled in water and the wound then bathed in the extract before being bandaged with the boiled leaves.

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Mānuka

Ashes from burnt mānuka trees were rubbed on the scalp to cure dandruff.

A tea was made from the leaves was drunk to relieve a fever.

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Rātā

Rata bark was seeped in water to make a lotion which was applied to the affected area to treat ringworm. 

A poultice was also made from the bark and this was applied to the affected area to treat boils, sores, and abscesses.

The nectar from the flower is also taken to treat sore throats.

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Kawakawa

Kawakawa was used to make a type of steam bath. hot stones were placed on the ground and then the leaves placed on top with water poured over steam was created. The patient then sat on top and took in the steam.

Kawakawa leaves and bark were used on cuts and for stomach pains.