27/05/2026
After more than 30 years working in traditional Māori healing, I often think back to my Aunty and Uncle in Wairoa, waiting for their rongoā to be delivered to the gate.
Looking back now, I wonder what medications they were already taking, and whether some of the support was creating dependence instead of empowering our whānau to understand the root cause of their mate and learn how to assess, diagnose, and create a healing plan for themselves — naturally, with or without medications.
Over the years, I have watched many Rongoā practitioners making balms, tinctures, and wai rākau to give or sell within the community. But an important question must be asked, how are these being prescribed and matched safely to the mauiui?
What medications is the whaiora on?
What supplements are they taking?
What dis-eases or chronic conditions do they have?
What about their diet?
Without changing the body from an acidic state to a more alkaline environment, true healing can be difficult to achieve. Food and drink consumed over a lifetime can continue to fuel inflammation, imbalance, and dis-ease, even when medications or rongoā are being used.
Some forms of rongoā are just as strong, if not stronger, than some of the synthetic medications. Taking them together without proper knowledge and assessment can have serious and sometimes irreversible negative effects for your whaiora.
Wānanga 5 is about learning the difference between Rongoā Māori and Western medicine, and understanding how to work safely, responsibly, and effectively with both.
Nau mai, haere mai ki te ako i te rerekētanga o te rongoā me te rongoā Pākehā.
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