Kawakawa - A Natural Remedy for Common Skin Conditions

Kawakawa is a traditional medicinal plant native to New Zealand, long revered by the indigenous Māori people for its ability to support skin healing, soothe irritation, and reduce inflammation.

While Kawakawa has been a staple of rongoā Māori (traditional Māori medicine) for centuries, it’s now gaining attention around the world — including here in Australia — as a powerful natural remedy for common skin concerns, from eczema to nappy rash.

What is Kawakawa?

Kawakawa (Macropiper excelsum) is a native New Zealand shrub, easily recognised by its distinctive heart-shaped leaves. It grows in lowland forests across the country and has deep roots in Māori herbal medicine. Traditionally, kawakawa leaves were used for everything from wound healing to toothache relief and digestive complaints.

Today, scientific research is catching up with what Māori healers have always known. Researchers at the University of Auckland have identified over 64 biologically active compounds in Kawakawa — giving us a clearer understanding of how this incredible plant works on the skin.

How Does Kawakawa Work on the Skin?

Kawakawa’s skin benefits come from its rich phytochemical profile, which includes anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and analgesic (pain-relieving) compounds. Here’s what science (and tradition) tells us about its key actives:

🔬 Myristicin

This aromatic compound reduces inflammation and offers antimicrobial protection against bacteria, fungi, and yeasts — helping to prevent skin infections, especially in moist, irritated areas like nappy rash.

🔬 Diayangambin

A lesser-known but powerful immunomodulatory compound that helps calm overactive immune responses, making it especially helpful for skin conditions like eczema and dermatitis.

🔬 Piperamides

These peppery compounds (related to the spicy bite of pepper plants) provide natural pain relief and may enhance blood flow to the skin, speeding up healing. They also contribute to kawakawa’s antimicrobial power, helping to guard against infections.

🔬 Flavonoids (like Vitexin)

Known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, flavonoids protect the skin against oxidative stress, UV damage, and environmental irritation.

What Are the Benefits of Using Kawakawa on the Skin?

✅ Soothes and Heals Irritated Skin

The anti-inflammatory compounds in Kawakawa work to calm redness, reduce swelling, and support faster healing. This makes it particularly helpful for:

• Nappy rash
• Eczema and dermatitis
• Heat rash and chafing
• Minor wounds, bites, and scratches

✅ Moisturises and Protects

Infused into a nourishing oil like sweet almond oil, kawakawa helps lock in moisture while forming a gentle protective barrier. This prevents dryness and helps fragile skin recover.

✅ Relieves Itching and Discomfort

Thanks to its mild numbing effect (from natural piperamides), kawakawa relieves the itch that comes with eczema, rashes, or healing skin.

✅ Fights Bacteria, Yeast & Fungi

Kawakawa’s antimicrobial properties help protect broken or irritated skin from becoming infected. This makes it an excellent ingredient in balms designed for nappy rash or skin prone to infections.

From Family Remedy to Botanic Balance

At Botanic Balance, kawakawa holds a deeply personal meaning. My mother-in-law, a qualified naturopath in New Zealand, has relied on kawakawa for decades — not just as a practitioner, but for her own family’s needs.

My husband’s family all live with a rare skin condition called Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB), a genetic disorder that causes the skin to be extremely fragile, prone to blistering and breaking with even minor friction. Long before Botanic Balance existed, my mother-in-law began formulating kawakawa balms to help protect and soothe her children’s delicate skin — a practice she continued as our own children were born, including our son, who also inherited EB.

We saw firsthand how kawakawa’s gentle healing power made a real difference for his fragile skin — and how useful it was for everyday family first aid like nappy rash, scrapes, and bites. That’s why kawakawa became a hero ingredient across our range — it’s more than just a powerful plant, it’s part of our family story:

🌿 Bum Balm – Our all-natural nappy balm, blending kawakawa with calendula and chamomile for complete nappy rash care.

🌿 Owie Balm – A multi-purpose healing balm for scratches, bites, and everyday first-aid needs.

🌿 Whipped Tallow Cream – Bringing Kawakawa’s anti-inflammatory power into nourishing facial care for irritated or sensitive skin.

Why We Import Our Kawakawa Oil

Because fresh kawakawa leaves can’t be imported into Australia due to biosecurity laws, we work directly with trusted New Zealand suppliers who produce high-quality kawakawa-infused oils using traditional methods.

This ensures that every jar of Bum Balm, Owie Balm, and Whipped Tallow Face Cream delivers the full benefit of fresh kawakawa — just like the ones my mother-in-law made for us, only now blended into professionally formulated products.

Why Kawakawa is the Future of Natural Skincare

Kawakawa combines the best of traditional knowledge with modern scientific validation, making it one of the most exciting ingredients in natural skincare today.

For parents, kawakawa is especially valuable because it’s:
✔️ Gentle enough for newborn skin
✔️ Powerful enough to calm even severe irritation
✔️ Natural, safe, and free from synthetic chemicals

Whether you’re soothing or protecting nappy rash, eczema, or everyday skin irritations, Kawakawa is a plant-powered solution that works.