Kawakawa was used as a
traditional medicinal plant of the
Māori. An infusion made from the leaves or roots was used or its leaves were chewed to relieve toothache, and wounds were often bound in kawakawa leaves. The sweet edible yellow berries (most often found in summer on female trees) of the plant were eaten as a
diuretic. Traditionally, leaves with holes that had been eaten by caterpillars were considered the best to use. In cultural contexts, host people of a
marae wave leaves of kawakawa to welcome guests. Kawakawa are associated with death, Early European settlers to New Zealand used kawakawa in teas, and experimented using it as a flavouring agent in beer. Kawakawa essential oil contains
myristicin, a
deliriant when consumed in high concentrations. ==Relationship with kava==