Published: 5 May 2012
Authors: Gray, K.
Rongoā is a modality for healing that incorporates plants and their derivatives to promote wellness (Ahuriri-Driscoll, Baker, Hepi, & Hudson, 2008). This traditional method of healing was used to treat a range of conditions in pre-colonisation time (Williams, 1996). The notion of using nature to provide wellness encompasses an indigenous paradigm (Daveson, O'Callaghan, & Grocke, 2008) and may have relevance for treatment today. An example of this is Chinese medicine that advises people to eat food in accordance with the seasons (Corington, 2001). Māori also followed a seasonal approach to their diet, practising vegetable planting according to the lunar calendar (Blair, 2002).
