What is Maori Medicine?

Maori medicine or 'rongoa Māori', refers to the traditional healing practices, knowledge, and beliefs of the Māori people of New Zealand. It encompasses various approaches to health and well-being, including herbal remedies, spiritual practices, and cultural rituals.

Key aspects of Maori medicine include:

1. Wairua (Spirituality): Maori medicine places great importance on spirituality. Practitioners seek guidance from spiritual entities, known as atua, to identify the root cause of an illness or imbalance and to determine appropriate treatments.

2. Rongoā rākau (Herbal Medicine): Traditional Māori healers (tohunga rongoā) use a wide range of native plants and natural resources for medicinal purposes. Specific plants are believed to possess healing properties and are used in various forms, such as infusions, poultices, and tonics, to treat various ailments.

3. Miromiro (Massage and Bodywork): Maori medicine incorporates therapeutic massage and bodywork techniques to promote physical and mental well-being. These techniques, known as miromiro, involve manipulations, stretching, and pressure point stimulation.

4. Karakia (Invocations): Karakia are sacred incantations or prayers used in Maori healing rituals and ceremonies. These incantations are believed to have spiritual power and are recited to invoke the help of atua, seek protection, and restore balance.

5. Whakanoa (Spiritual Healing): Whakanoa refers to spiritual healing practices that involve rituals, prayers, and other symbolic acts to address spiritual dimensions of illness or imbalance. These practices may include releasing ancestral curses or resolving conflicts within a person's whakapapa (genealogy).

6. Rongoā Māori Practitioners: Tohunga rongoā are skilled healers who possess extensive knowledge of traditional Māori medicine. They undergo a period of training and initiation under the guidance of experienced elders to acquire the necessary knowledge, skills, and spiritual connection to practice rongoā Māori effectively.

7. Wānanga (Learning Centers): Traditionally, knowledge of Maori medicine was passed down through oral teachings within whānau (extended family) and tribal communities. Today, there are various wānanga (learning centers) in New Zealand where students can learn about and practice rongoā Māori under the guidance of experienced elders and practitioners.

It's important to note that Maori medicine is embedded in the cultural context and beliefs of the Māori people, and its practices may differ between different iwi (tribes). While some aspects of rongoā Māori are utilized in contemporary healthcare settings, it is crucial to respect the cultural and spiritual significance of these practices and to seek guidance from authentic sources when seeking treatment or learning about Maori medicine.