Kawakawa: The Ancient New Zealand Plant Backed by Modern Science

Kawakawa is one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most iconic native plants, its heart-shaped leaves a familiar sight along forest tracks and coastlines. Treasured in rongoā Māori for generations, it is now a considered botanical in Re:juvenate Pro.

What is kawakawa?

Kawakawa (Piper excelsum) is a native herb found throughout Aotearoa, easily recognised by its glossy, heart-shaped leaves and warm, peppery scent.

It is naturally rich in antioxidant polyphenols — the flavonoids and phenolic compounds that give many plants their protective qualities. For generations it was brewed as a tea or used topically as a soothing balm, and it remains one of New Zealand’s most recognised native botanicals.

Kawakawa in rongoā Māori

Kawakawa holds a treasured place in rongoā Māori, the traditional Māori system of healing. It was valued as a versatile plant — traditionally used to support digestion, ease everyday discomfort, soothe the skin, and help restore a sense of balance.

That heritage is something we honour rather than claim. Much of the modern scientific curiosity around kawakawa began precisely because of how highly it has long been valued.

We didn’t add kawakawa as a nod to heritage. It earns its place — a calming, balancing botanical that complements the way the whole formula works.

— Peter Lehrke · Formulation Lead, Aevum

How kawakawa supports the body

Modern interest in kawakawa centres on three connected systems — the gut, the immune system, and the body’s inflammatory balance.

Gut balance

Kawakawa contains natural compounds that help support a calm, comfortable digestive tract, a healthy gut lining and microbial balance — the everyday foundations of good digestion.

Immune resilience

Around 70% of immune cells reside in the gut. By helping support a balanced, well-functioning gut barrier — your first line of defence — kawakawa supports the body’s natural immune resilience.

Inflammatory balance

Everyday low-grade inflammation is a feature of ageing, sometimes called inflammageing. Kawakawa’s natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds help support the body’s healthy inflammatory balance.

Kawakawa in Re:juvenate Pro

In Re:juvenate Pro, kawakawa is one of four considered bioactives, working alongside IDP® immune-defence proteins, Immunel® colostrum extract, and rosemary extract standardised for carnosic acid. Together they are formulated to support the gut–immune axis, a healthy inflammatory balance, and everyday resilience as you age. Kawakawa’s role is that of a calming, balancing botanical — a distinctly New Zealand thread running through the formula.

Why quality matters

Not all kawakawa is equal. Its compound profile depends on how the plant is grown, harvested and processed.

Aevum uses one of the only pharma-grade kawakawa extracts available, which helps protect the plant’s active compounds and keeps every batch consistent and high in quality — batch to batch.