TUTU OR TUPAHIKI

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 144, 8 September 1927, Page 10

TUTU OR TUPAHIKI

Sir, — A correspondent in a recent issue of THE SUN asked for information regarding and incidents relating to the effects of this plant on human beings and animals. I am not aware of the exact nature of the poison contained in the leaves of the plant, but I have seen its effects and I know it to be extremely virulent, causing paralysis, permanent contortions and, in many cases, death. It is interesting to note that in most parts of New Zealand the plant is known as tutu (the vulgar corruption of which is “toot”), but among the Xgapuhi of the North it is called tupakihi. I have been assured by the natives that the juice of the berry is quite innocuous. The Maoris in former times made a beverage of it but the skin of the fruit is very poisonous. I ha.d once an interesting proof of this. I was conversing with an old wahine who had been telling me of the efficacy of the berries (crushed and scalded), used as a poultice for cleansing and healing a wound. She pointed to such a poultice lying on the ground which she had just used on her little grandson’s sore foot. Presentlv along so > v ' vith her litter b one of the little pigs gobbled up the poultice m the twinkling of an eye, and immediately the poison contained in the skins of the berries took effect. The tmy animal began to whirl swiftlv rOU T * n a &* zz y dance, while its mother grunted and its brothers and sisters squeaked in alarm. The old Maori woman, resourceful as all her race always are, at once picked up a tomahawk, caught the pig bv the snout and chopped off a tinv'bit of his tail. Immediately he was cured He gave a squeak and ran off apparently none the worse for his adventure I was informed that blood-letting is a

certain remedy in such cases of poisoning. I have never heard of an antidote for the poison. In the case of human beings emetics quickly administered are often effective, and to prevent paralysis the victim is not allowed to rest, being kept moving till the effects of the poison wear off. I have seen many Maoris of middle and old age with contorted faces and limbs, the result of eating the berries in childhood. The effect on stock of eating the leaves is well known, and many a settler has cause to dislike the plant. It is not generally known that the young leaves and shoots of the tupakihi (tutu) are a good remedy for sprains and bruises and joint pains of all kinds. They are boiled, the liquid used while hot as a lotion, and .he leaves applied to the part as a lotion. I have always found this remedy efficacious, and campers and others who often require an easily-obtair ed cure for such injuries would do well to try it. This, and the use of the berries as a wound cleanser and healer, are only two of the many uses to which our Maori friends of former times put the plants of the forest and wild berries, and it is a pity that no systematic record has been kept or stjdy made by pakehas of the numerous and various remedies provided by Nature in the flora of our country. I trus: what I have written will be of some tise to your correspondent. ZEALANDIA.