🌀Māori Rongoa

Rangiora (Bushman's Friend)

Brachyglottis repanda

About Rangiora (Bushman's Friend)

Rangiora (Bushman's Friend) (Brachyglottis repanda) is a herb used in the Māori Rongoa tradition to help with Wound Healing, Skin Health, Insect Bites, and Infection. The aerial parts and leaves are the parts traditionally used, used both internally and topically.

Botanical background

Brachyglottis repanda (rangiora or bushman's friend) is a small, bushy tree or tall shrub endemic to New Zealand. It grows to a height of 5 to 7 metres. The large leaves with a soft furry underside have been referred to as "bushman's toilet paper".

Source: Wikipedia, via iNaturalist

Parts used

Aerial Parts · bothLeaves · both

Conditions addressed

Wound Healing Skin Health Insect Bites Infection

🍵

Tea / Infusion

1–3 cups daily

Steep 1–2 tsp of dried Rangiora (Bushman's Friend) in freshly boiled water for 5–10 minutes.
Cover while steeping.
Strain and drink.

💧

Tincture

20–40 drops in water, 2–3× daily

Pack dried Rangiora (Bushman's Friend) into a jar and cover with 40–60% alcohol.
Seal and steep for 4–6 weeks, shaking daily.
Strain and store in a dark dropper bottle.

💊

Powder / Capsule

500 mg – 1 g, 1–3× daily

Grind dried Rangiora (Bushman's Friend) into a fine powder.
Fill size 00 capsules or stir into smoothies or honey.

🖐️

Topical / Poultice

1–2× daily as needed

Mash fresh Rangiora (Bushman's Friend) or mix the powder with a little water to form a paste.
Apply to the affected area for 20–30 minutes.

🫙

Infused Oil

Massage into affected area 1–2× daily

Fill a jar with dried Rangiora (Bushman's Friend).
Pour over a carrier oil until submerged.
Leave for 4–6 weeks, then strain.
Use topically or as a salve base.

🛁

Herbal Bath

2–3× per week as needed

Brew 4–6 tbsp of Rangiora (Bushman's Friend) in 1 litre of hot water for 15 minutes, strain, and add to a warm bath.
Soak for 20–30 minutes.

Pregnancy, Breastfeeding & Children

No herb-specific pregnancy/child safety research is documented for Rangiora (Bushman's Friend) in our references — the guidance below is based on its general effect category, not research on Rangiora (Bushman's Friend) itself. Always confirm with a midwife, doctor, or pediatrician.

Pregnancy

Insufficient Data

No specific pregnancy safety research is documented for this herb in our references. This doesn't mean it's unsafe — it means it hasn't been well studied. Treat as unstudied and avoid unless a midwife or doctor familiar with your pregnancy advises otherwise.

Breastfeeding

Insufficient Data

No specific breastfeeding safety research is documented for this herb in our references. Treat as unstudied and consult a lactation consultant, midwife, or doctor before use.

Children

Insufficient Data

No specific pediatric safety/dosage research is documented for this herb in our references. Treat as unstudied and consult a pediatrician or pediatric herbalist before giving to a child.

Contraindications

Warnings

⚠️ Allergic Reactions

Discontinue immediately if you experience rash, itching, swelling, or difficulty breathing.

⚠️ Not Medical Advice

This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using herbal remedies.

Drug & herb interactions

No specific drug or herb interactions are documented for Rangiora (Bushman's Friend) in our references. This doesn’t mean none exist — always check with a pharmacist or doctor before combining any new herb with prescription medication.

Where to find in nature

Native region

New Zealand (Aotearoa)

Climate

Temperate oceanic

Habitat

Native bush (ngahere), coastal forests, and wetlands unique to New Zealand

🌿 To see Rangiora (Bushman's Friend) growing, visit botanical gardens, university plant collections, or specialist herb nurseries near you. If foraging in the wild, always work with an expert identifier — never consume a plant you are not 100% certain of.

Where to buy

In store

Health food stores (Whole Foods, Natural Grocers, Holland & Barrett, GNC)
Naturopathic clinics and integrative medicine practices
Specialist herbal apothecaries and herbalist practices
Farmers markets with herb vendors

Online

iHerb

Wide selection of standardised extracts, capsules, and powders with lab testing

Mountain Rose Herbs

Premium bulk dried herbs — certified organic, ethically sourced

Starwest Botanicals

Large selection of certified organic bulk herbs and powders

Herb Pharm

High-quality liquid extracts and tinctures, rigorous quality standards

Amazon

Convenient — verify brand certifications and check third-party testing

Etsy

Small-batch artisan herbalists, hand-harvested and wildcrafted herbs

Quality tips

When buying Rangiora (Bushman's Friend), look for: certified organic labelling, clearly stated country of origin, third-party lab testing for heavy metals and pesticides, and a batch expiry date. Standardised extracts offer consistent dosing; bulk dried herbs are more economical for regular use. Avoid very cheap, unlabelled products — quality varies enormously.