How to Use Hawaiian Mamaki

Mamaki is attractive and easy to grow

Mamaki (Pipturis albidus A. Gray) is a small tree that grows up to 5 feet in height. It belongs to the nettle family. Mamaki is endemic to Hawaii (it was introduced in ancient times). It is easy to grow in tropical gardens. Look for starter plants at specialty nurseries and botanical gardens. Mamaki leaf is commonly used to help support healthy prostate glands and the urinary tract. It is also used for allergy and hay fever symptoms. Other members of the nettle family have stinging hairs that ward off herbivores. Mamaki has no stingers, presumably because this defense mechanism was not needed in the absence of predators.

Things You'll Need

• Fresh or dried mamaki leaves
• Boiling water or alcohol
• Teapot, teacup or clean glass jar with tightly fitting lid

Instructions

1. Make tea. If you have fresh mamaki available, these leaves makes the best tea. If you purchase dried leaves, you will get similar results. Dried leaves are typically sold at drug stores and specialty stores in Hawaii.

2. Place 6 fresh or dried leaves of mamaki into a teapot or teacup for each cup that you want to make.

3. Boil water in a tea kettle or pan and then pour it over your mamaki leaves.

4. Allow your tea to steep for about 10 minutes, and then strain it and enjoy with sugar, honey, lemon, milk or other tasty additions.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are using mamaki for a specific medical condition, be sure to consult with a health-care professional.

• Drink no more than 3 cups of mamaki tea each day because it can be a strong diuretic (increases urination).

• Mamaki leaves are a favorite food for the Kamehameha butterfly’s larvae (Vanessa tameamea).

• Do not use this herb if pregnant or nursing. Nettle is a galactagogue (increases milk production).