Macropiper Species, Kawakawa, Pepper Tree

I have heard great things about this plant, specially for bad headaches. Where can I find the leaves in the US?

I am interested in propogating Kawakawa for a revegetation project that I am involved in. I now know a few interesting facts about this p...Read Morelant that I would like to share.
It can be easily propogated from seed and that the seed should be collected in January..in New Zealand from ripe fruits as they turn from green to yellow.
It can also be propogated from softwood cuttings.

But the other side of this story is that Kawakawa is related closely to the Kava plant that is found throughout the pacific in the more tropical regions. In Hawaii, Kava is known as Kava Kava. How similar is that to Kawa Kawa in term of the phonetics.

I lived in Figi for a few years and was growing Kava as a crop, but when I returned to New Zealand I instantly recognised the Kawakawa as having the same basic format. Similar shaped leaf and same node structure to the trunk.

Interesting to share these observations.

The Macropiper excelsum is an evergreen 2 - 3 metre tall shrub that is endemic to New Zealand. It is a coastal shrub that is also found i...Read Moren the bush and in gardens. It grows well in semi-shade. The native Looper moth caterpillars damage
the leaves. Maori have long used the bark and the leaves for medicinal purposes, the leaves being chewed to alleviate toothache, and the leaves being burnt on a fire as a natural insect repellent. The leaves can also be steeped in boiling water to make tea. A wreath of the leaves is worn on the head at tangis (funerals).