KOHEKOHE: For Post-Viral Recovery

Posted: July 2022
Author: Phil Rasmussen | M.Pharm., M.P.S., Dip. Herb. Med.; M.N.I.M.H.(UK),  F.N.Z.A.M.H. 
 

There are so many phytomedicines within our reach that we can prescribe and dispense to our many patients and family members experiencing winter viruses lately, particularly this winter with a triple whammy of coronavirus, influenza, and RSV viruses and sometimes secondary bacterial infections, competing for human hosts.

We’ve discussed many of these previously in Phytobriefs and in our webinars and podcasts, and herbal medicines such as baical skullcap, bupleurum, nigella, elderberry, thyme, elecampane and many others, have been widely used during the Covid-19 pandemic. Also as I hoped and suggested in early 2020, I’m continually receiving positive feedback from patients about how echinacea root extracts seem to be in helping to prevent or at least moderate the extent of infection

These are pleasing outcomes, but of course what better medicine to use in the current and future world where issues such as supply chain constraints, climate change, inflation, ethics and of course Kaitiakitanga, are collectively encouraging us to change in terms of where and how we source our amazing plant medicines. For me the last two and a half years have spurred an even greater desire to learn more about our own indigenous species here in Aotearoa, many of which were traditionally used for respiratory tract virus and bacterial infections, for a long time before vaccination or anti-viral drugs were conceived.

These include akeake, horopito, kānuka, karamu, kawakawa, kumerahou, mānuka, matai and pukatea, although of course there were many more.

One that perhaps hasn’t had the attention it deserves in recent years, is kohekohe (Dysoxylum spectabile).

So-called ‘Consumption’ was a predominant use of kohekohe leaf and bark preparations in the 1800’s and early 1900’s, this being another term for what we now call Tuberculosis (Mycobacterium tuberculosum, or TB). TB was a common cause of death, as apart from causing debilitating and chronic chest infection and inflammation, weight loss and wasting away, were also common features. Decoctions or infusions of leaves and the young bark were used as a febrifuge, and taken internally or inhaled not only for TB, but also for fevers, head colds and sore throats. These and other uses for infectious conditions by Māori and early settlers, as well as its revered reputation as an excellent ‘Tonic’ amongst bushmen and early European migrants, implicate a role for this native tree in the management of post-viral fatigue and recovery.

Kohekohe’s strong bitterness and astringency are characteristic features, and its traditional use also for diarrhoea and digestive upsets is partly a reflection of this, and of course relevant to the management of the many viral infections that can have a digestive system manifestation. Even relatively low dosages of 5-15mls per week can help to slow things down and settle an upset stomach, yet also nudge a sluggish appetite and other digestive processes into a better balance.

Apart from its antimicrobial and astringent properties, I consider kohekohe to also be an excellent anti-inflammatory, based upon not only its traditional uses where excessive muscular spasm or tissue inflammation is present but also the traditional uses and known phytochemistry, of other botanically related species. Many other Dysoxylum species growing in other Southern hemisphere countries have a history of use for infectious and inflammatory respiratory tract and musculoskeletal conditions, and contain multiple terpenoid compounds with anti-inflammatory activities. While little is known about kohekohe’s phytochemistry, it is certainly anti-inflammatory, and as such could impart additional valuable therapeutic properties in an over-inflamed respiratory tract or ‘cytokine storm’, during certain viral infections.

Apart from being used in higher doses during the acute stages of respiratory tract infections, I’ve found kohekohe useful when incorporated into the mixtures of those recovering or convalescing from long-term debilitating illnesses, including those where digestive weakness and a compromised appetite are features, and as an all-round tonic to help instil more life force and zest into patients struggling to return to good health.

While much more research into this amazing native plant is called for, it is one we should seriously consider and not hesitate to use in our post-recovery formulae.

References:

1. Brooker SG, Cambie RC, Cooper RC. New Zealand Medicinal Plants. Heinemann Publishers, Auckland, 1981.
2. Riley M., “Maori Healing and Herbal: New Zealand Ethnobotanical Sourcebook”, Viking Sevenseas, Paraparaumu, N.Z., 1994.
3. Rasmussen PL, New Zealand Native plants and their clinical applications for respiratory conditions, Phytomed Seminar, June 2015.