We always use olena / turmeric fresh. Just like ginger, it is grated into dishes. It's a must for Indian curry!
Another important herb of the Hawaiians is the ti plant. It provided food, medicine, clothing, and crafts.
It is the plain green ti which was introduced throughout the Pacific in ancient times. A steroidal saponin has been found in the sap which helps to speed the healing of cuts, sprains, and bruises.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C...
http://www.canoeplants.com/ki....
Other common medicinals were 'awa (kavakava), 'awapuhi ginger, and noni.
http://www.canoeplants.com/awa...
http://www.canoeplants.com/awa...
http://www.canoeplants.com/non...
The "canoe plants" were useful plants that were brought to Hawai'i from elsewhere in Polynesia. They were grown in gardens close to villages. Other medicines were collected from native plants.
Many of the plants were planted in forests and large patches to be used by all the villagers, in an ahupua'a (land division). The ahupua'a is a slice of land that went from the ocean to the top of the mountain and provided that villagers would have access to everything that they needed. The modern day system of postage stamp lot ownership leaves most people unable to provide for themselves and dependent on supermarkets and other stores. If shipping were interrupted most folks would be in trouble in a short period on time.
