PUHA Sonchus oleraceus Sow Thistle

Did you know? Maori chewed gum from the milky sap of the Puha root. Pre-European Maori had very low levels of cancer.

Puha is something of a voyaging plant. The Puha plant (Sonchus oleraceus) that is eaten today as a strong, nutrient-rich green, and utilized as a healing medicinal herb is not actually a native of New Zealand. This Puha is common in Europe and possibly arrived in New Zealand more than 1,000 years ago with Maori in the great migration of waka (canoes) and important chiefs and whanau (family). Native New Zealand Puha is actually Sonchus Kirkii.

Traditionally Puha is a prized food for Maori and it was a surprise to discover it in Europe. This discovery occurred during World War II when a Major from the 28^th Maori Battalion, stationed in Greece, noticed local farmers collecting Puha from their fields. The farmers explained that the plant was an important vegetable for them. Soon Maori 5^th Brigade transport drivers, on their way to Olympus, were purchasing their precious supplies of Puha from the Greek farmers.

Puha (sow thistle) like so many of New Zealand’s medicinal plants has a multitude of therapeutic uses:

· An infusion of the plant can encourage menstruation, and treat diarrhea

· A tonic produced from infusing the leaves and roots can reduce fever

· The stem juice may be taken for constipation

· Puha tonic is also useful as a blood purifier and to treat haemorrhages

· Puha cream treats boils and abscesses on the skin

This is one plant that can be bought at shops and markets and is often growing in our gardens. A few years ago researchers from both Auckland and Otago Universities found that Puha has three times the antioxidant level of blueberries. High-antioxidant foods fight cancer - so that’s a very good reason to plant a few puha in the garden.