Or subtitled, @Bear, Medicine Man. Gotta thank you buddy. Upon hearing of my plantar fasciitis and sore swollen knee, Bear was kind enough to give me some Hawiwi and tell me how to use it. Used it once one night on my foot and once the next night on my knee. Two days later, I am in much less pain and the knee swelling is down. Was even able to play keeper for my girls' drills today. @Bear, you da best! Here's what Hawiwi looks like. I can't find it on google.
Boiled the leaves and made a poultice and left on overnight. But I figured I would go all out and do it the ancient Hawaiian way. I said a prayer over the preparation and during the application. It is similar to my qigong and taiji practice... apply intention to what you are doing. I put it on hot since I figured the heat would help too. It is found in @Bear's yard.
The picture, detailed as it is, lacks perspective (scale) (a ruler in the picture), and could be presented to the college botany department for scientific identification. Then, google could probably provide plenty of data on the plant.
I hope you do not mind, but I took it upon myself to forward the picture and your medical usage text along with the local plant name hawiwi to a botanist from Hawaii. Gerry Carr ... Gerry@hawaii.edu or gdcarr@comcast.net . Local known name "hawiwi". I am seeking data to include proper scientific identification of this plant. Common usage as a hot poultice to relieve pain and swelling. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks. . HanzoMonkey++ New Or subtitled, @Bear, Medicine Man. Gotta thank you buddy. Upon hearing of my plantar fasciitis and sore swollen knee, Bear was kind enough to give me some Hawiwi and tell me how to use it. Used it once one night on my foot and once the next night on my knee. Two days later, I am in much less pain and the knee swelling is down. Was even able to play keeper for my girls' drills today. @Bear, you da best! Here's what Hawiwi looks like. I can't find it on google. .
I conducted a rather lengthy google search, myself, for anything by that spelling, and use, and turned up nothing useful). Are you sure of the spelling?
Another much tastier flower we tried was Jamaican vervain (Stachtarpheta sp.), also known as porterweed or rat's tail. It is native to tropical Central America, and there are several species found in Hawaii. It grows along roadsides and disturbed areas at lower elevations, we found plenty on seaside cliffs. The leaves are opposite and toothed, with a rough surface. The plant produces a long, spindly flower spike about 12" above the leaves, and there are a few tubular, 5-petaled, blue or purple flowers blooming along this flower spike at a time. This flower tastes like shiitake mushrooms, and Matt explained to us that the flowers have a slight sedative effect when eaten in quantity.
Sounds very similar to a plantain. It is most likely the same family. My best guess is it may be this Hawaiian plantain species: Plantago hawaiensis - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Plantain, broad and narrow leaf Plantago species Description: The broad leaf plantain has leaves over 2.5 centimeters across that grow close to the ground. The flowers are on a spike that rises from the middle of the cluster of leaves. The narrow leaf plantain has leaves up to 12 centimeters long and 2.5 centimeters wide, covered with hairs. The leaves form a rosette. The flowers are small and inconspicuous. Habitat and Distribution: Look for these plants in lawns and along roads in the North Temperate Zone. This plant is a common weed throughout much of the world. Edible Parts: The young tender leaves are edible raw. Older leaves should be cooked. Seeds are edible raw or roasted. Other Uses: To relieve pain from wounds and sores, wash and soak the entire plant for a short time and apply it to the injured area. To treat diarrhea, drink tea made from 28 grams (1 ounce) of the plant leaves boiled in 0.5 liter of water. The seeds and seed husks act as laxatives. More at Wikipedia: Plantago - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
You might have sent an email in haste, because if my guess is correct, that is an "endangered species" since it is endemic to Hawaii -meaning it only grows there and due to the natural environment (being so volcanically active), some species can potentially be wiped out. It is probably fairly common there, but still listed as endangered. You know how conservationism can be. See my earlier post.
Seems the older I get the more my doctor focuses there... "Hey Doc, my knee hurts", "Bend over", he says snapping on a latex glove... "Hey Doc, what's that six foot long inch wide camera for?", "Time to take your picture, now bend over..."
Hawiwi planted in our new yard. Mahalo @Bear. On a bandana poultice. On my sore foot. Held in place with a wool sock made by Mrs. Hanzo.