The Polynesians who came to these islands probably found this plant growing here already. Although we use this plant now because the flower makes such beautiful leis, the ancient Hawaiians used the different parts of the plant for medicine, too.

It was a good laxative for children because it is mild and tasty. These are the doses that were used:

For babies 5 days old, 4 flower buds
For babies 10 to 30 days old, buds
For babies 1 to 3 months old, 12 buds

The mother would chew the flower bud thoroughly and then give this to the baby to swallow.

`Ilima flowers were also used, mixed with other plants, for womb trouble especially a falling womb.

The bark of the roots of this plant was also used; when a person felt weak, `ilima, mixed with other plants and pounded together, was put in water and strained -- then drunk as a kind of tonic. The root bark, mixed with the flowers, was used for asthma.