Tanekaha: A Remarkable Bitter
Posted: March 2023
Author: Phil Rasmussen | M.Pharm., M.P.S., Dip. Herb. Med.; M.N.I.M.H.(UK), F.N.Z.A.M.H.
Tānekaha Phyllocladus trichomanoides is a tall and graceful tree with a straight trunk and slender branches, produced in evenly spaced whorls. This gives it a pine-like symmetrical shape when young. It is a member of the Phyllocladus genus of conifers, due to it having evolved to use phylloclades (flattened green branch stems) or leaf-like branches as its photosynthetic organs, rather than true leaves.
Tānekaha grows in close association with kauri, and like many of our other great New Zealand Podocarps, it produces dense strong timber. Early Māori used this to make taiaha, waka, walking sticks and fish hooks. While European colonists used it for housing, bridges, wharf pilings and railway sleepers. As with kauri and kahikatea, tānekaha timber was also exported to Australia and Britain in the 1800s.
Tānekaha grows in close association with kauri, and like many of our other great New Zealand Podocarps, it produces dense strong timber. Early Māori used this to make taiaha, waka, walking sticks and fish hooks. While European colonists used it for housing, bridges, wharf pilings and railway sleepers. As with kauri and kahikatea, tānekaha timber was also exported to Australia and Britain in the 1800s.
Its bark was also used for many purposes, including vessels to contain water, and as lashings for waka. This is a reflection of its elasticity and durability. The bark and foliage are also rich in tannins and the red-brown colours these impart have always been popular with Māori as a dye for patu, kite, mats and other garments. Tānekaha bark was also exported to Europe in the 19th century where it was used to dye leathers for glove-making. Then it was later used during World War 1, to dye khaki uniforms. Tānekaha dye is being used by artists and weavers today.
Tānekaha phylloclades, leaves and bark also have medicinal uses. Although there has been very little research into these uses, and our knowledge of their phytochemistry is also somewhat limited. My own use of tānekaha in clinic largely reflects my view of its properties as a bitter, astringent, and antimicrobial. As well as what I consider to be an underrated antioxidant.
Bitter
Apart from kohekohe, there are few native plants which rival tānekaha in terms of their bitter properties. As every herbalist knows, the lack of bitter compounds within many consumer foods and modern diets is probably contributory to an increased vulnerability to chronic diseases, as well as gut dysbiosis.
Apart from kohekohe, there are few native plants which rival tānekaha in terms of their bitter properties. As every herbalist knows, the lack of bitter compounds within many consumer foods and modern diets is probably contributory to an increased vulnerability to chronic diseases, as well as gut dysbiosis.
The bitterness of tānekaha is a reflection of its high content of tannins, the flavonoid compound phylloflavan, and other polyphenols. We unfortunately still haven’t investigated potential hepatoprotective or hepatorestorative properties through research. But, anecdotally and as a result of use in patients with liver ailments such as hepatitis for more than 20 years, I regard it as an excellent liver herb.
Intuitively I also consider its rich polyphenolic content gives it potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and resilience-enhancing properties. This makes it a useful herb for those prone to diabetes type 2 and other autoimmune conditions. When a bitter is called for (increasingly often with more processed food diets), I rarely use wormwood or gentian now, as even 5 to 10 mLs per week of a tānekaha extract imparts significant bitterness to a liquid herbal formulation. For the treatment of hepatitis, existing autoimmune conditions, or more specifically to improve liver function, higher doses can be used.
Intuitively I also consider its rich polyphenolic content gives it potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and resilience-enhancing properties. This makes it a useful herb for those prone to diabetes type 2 and other autoimmune conditions. When a bitter is called for (increasingly often with more processed food diets), I rarely use wormwood or gentian now, as even 5 to 10 mLs per week of a tānekaha extract imparts significant bitterness to a liquid herbal formulation. For the treatment of hepatitis, existing autoimmune conditions, or more specifically to improve liver function, higher doses can be used.
Astringent and antimicrobial
As with many other native plants, the bark and foliage of tānekaha was also applied topically for wounds, burns, boils and infections. This use reflects its powerful astringent and antimicrobial, as well as anti-inflammatory properties. The high tannin content makes it excellent for cuts and grazes, and where a haemostatic action is required to help stop bleeding.
As with many other native plants, the bark and foliage of tānekaha was also applied topically for wounds, burns, boils and infections. This use reflects its powerful astringent and antimicrobial, as well as anti-inflammatory properties. The high tannin content makes it excellent for cuts and grazes, and where a haemostatic action is required to help stop bleeding.
Antidiarrhoeal
Diarrhoea and dysentery were often treated with internal preparations of tānekaha. It was described by James Neil in 1889, as an astringent of great value. Apart from its use in relatively large doses if an acute anti-diarrhoeal action is required, I regard tānekaha as an excellent remedy to improve overall gut health. As with many bitter and polyphenolic-rich plants, it is also likely to enhance the diversity and functionality of the gut microbiome. Where bowel motions are perhaps a bit too loose or too frequent, it makes an excellent constituent in a long-term tonic. Again, doses can be low, around 10 to 20 mLs per week.
Diarrhoea and dysentery were often treated with internal preparations of tānekaha. It was described by James Neil in 1889, as an astringent of great value. Apart from its use in relatively large doses if an acute anti-diarrhoeal action is required, I regard tānekaha as an excellent remedy to improve overall gut health. As with many bitter and polyphenolic-rich plants, it is also likely to enhance the diversity and functionality of the gut microbiome. Where bowel motions are perhaps a bit too loose or too frequent, it makes an excellent constituent in a long-term tonic. Again, doses can be low, around 10 to 20 mLs per week.
Gynaecological uses
The bark was also sometimes used for dysmenorrhoea, as well as to help bring away the placenta as a post-partum treatment. While herbal applications of this tree warrant more research, they suggest an emmenagogue action and that this phytomedicine should probably be avoided during pregnancy.
The bark was also sometimes used for dysmenorrhoea, as well as to help bring away the placenta as a post-partum treatment. While herbal applications of this tree warrant more research, they suggest an emmenagogue action and that this phytomedicine should probably be avoided during pregnancy.
References
- Brooker SG, Cambie RC, Cooper RC. New Zealand Medicinal Plants. Heinemann Publishers, Auckland, 1981.
- Riley M., “Maori Healing and Herbal: New Zealand Ethnobotanical Sourcebook”, Viking Sevenseas, Paraparaumu, N.Z., 1994.
- Rasmussen PL, New Zealand Native plants. Part 1. Phytomed Webinar, September 2018.
- Foo LY et al, Phytochemistry 24(7):1495-1498, 1985
- Neil James F. The New Zealand Family Herb Doctor. Mills, Dick & Co, Dunedin, 1891.
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