Lāʻau lapaʻau is a traditional medical practice of Native Hawaiians. The Hawaiian words lāʻau and lapaʻau mean vegetation and treat, heal, or cure respectively.[1] This practice involves using native plants, herbs and spirituality to treat ailments and injuries. Traditionally, lāʻau lapaʻau is practiced by Native Hawaiian healers known as Kahuna lāʻau lapaʻau.[2]
History
editThe history of lā‘au lapa‘au has been shared by past generations for over a thousand years. In the Native Hawaiian culture, it is believed that health is a result of pono or right living and that the loss of harmony and balance caused illness. Traditional Native Hawaiian medicinal practices are based on holistic healing in which the mind, body and spirit are intertwined.[3]
When missionaries arrived in Hawai‘i in 1820, they believed that lā‘au lapa‘au was black magic, and moved for it to be outlawed. Though the practice was banned, kāhuna continued to practice in secret.[4] In 1919, the Territorial Legislature created a Hawai‘i Medicine Board that was responsible for licensing lāʻau lapaʻau practitioners. However, in order to be licensed practitioners were required to use the Western names for plants instead of their Hawaiian names. Practitioners stopped being licensed when the Board was abolished in 1959.[5] Lā‘au lapa‘au was recognized as a traditional medicine in the Native Hawaiian Health Care Act passed by the United States Congress in 1988.[5]
Practice
editKahuna lāʻau lapaʻau[6] were known as the experts in lāʻau lapaʻau, comparable to general practitioners of today. In order to become a kāhuna lāʻau lapaʻau, one had to study for many decades and practice understanding the different healing properties of the laʻau. Kāhuna lāʻau lapaʻau is responsible for gathering, preparing and administering herbs based on the needs of the patient and the healing properties of the herbs / lāʻau.[7]
Examples of the most common lāʻau used for healing include:[8]
| Hawaiian Name | Scientific Name | Healing Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| ‘Awa (Kava) | Piper methysticum | Used to treat tiredness, chills, latent childhood disease, kidney disorders, headaches, and insomnia. |
| ‘Awapuhi Kuahiwi | Zingiber zerumbet | Used to treat toothache, sprains, stomachache, achy joints, ringworm, and other skin diseases. |
| Hala | Pandanus tectorius | Different parts of the plant can be used to treat different disorders such as thrush, skin disorders, and constipation.[9] |
| Kukui | Aleurites molucana | Used to treat constipation, sores and external ulcers.[9] |
| Noni | Morinda citrifolia | Used to treat kidney stones, high blood pressure, diabetes, and bowel problems. |
| Pōpolo | Solanum sandwicense | Used to treat respiratory tract disorders, skin disorders, and healing agent for cuts and wounds.[10] |
There are many parallels to lā‘au lapa‘au in other Polynesian cultures.[11]
References
edit- ^ "Authentic Hawaiian Kahuna Lomilomi and Laau Lapaau share their ancient wisdom in healing practices". www.kahunahaleolono.org. Retrieved 2019-10-21.
- ^ Gutmanis, June (1976). Kahuna Laʻau Lapaʻau: The Practice of Hawaiian Herbal Medicine. Island Heritage. ISBN 9780896100787.
- ^ "La'au Lapa'au: Preserving Ancient Hawaiian Healing Practices". NNEDShare. 2018-03-06. Retrieved 2019-10-21.
- ^ Donlin, Amanda Lokelani (2010). "When All the Kāhuna Are Gone: Evaluating Hawai'i's Traditional Hawaiian Healers' Law" (PDF). Asian-Pacific Law & Policy Journal. 12: 211–248.
- ^ a b Young, Natalie N.; Braun, Kathryn L. (July 2007). "Lă'au lapa'au and Western medicine in Hawai'i: experiences and perspectives of patients who use both". Hawaii Medical Journal. 66 (7): 176, 178–180. ISSN 0017-8594. PMID 17879854.
- ^ "Definition of KAHUNA LAPAAU". www.merriam-webster.com. Retrieved 2019-10-21.
- ^ "About". Lapaau.org. Archived from the original on July 9, 2018. Retrieved 2019-10-21.
- ^ "La'au Lapa'au: Medicinal Plants and their Healing Properties". Ke Ola Magazine. 2018-09-01. Retrieved 2019-10-21.
- ^ a b Look M.A., Yamauchi K.B., Trask-Batti M.K., Werner K.W., & Lee W.K. (2013). Guide to Selected Plants of the Mala Lāʻau Lapaʻau at JABSOM. Honolulu, HI: Department of Native Hawaiian Health, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.
- ^ Taylor, Clarice B. (1957). Hawaiian Almanac. Honolulu, HI: Tongg Publishing Company. p. 47.
- ^ "Healing Plants - Medicine Ways: Traditional Healers and Healing - Healing Ways - Exhibition - Native Voices". www.nlm.nih.gov. Retrieved 2019-10-21.