The inner bark was boiled and the liquid drunk for “Maori sickness”. This also cured sores and stopped bleeding. Sore eyes were bathed with the sap.

The woody fibre is considered poisonous. It was used formerly as a part of the Maori spearhead

The seeds, stems and leaves of this tree, if eaten are extremely poisonous. The poisonous principle is called tutin. It affects the medulla oblongata and causes paralysis and death. Though tutu was used in many safe ways by old—time Maoris, I consider that in these days we shou

The fruit is poisonous and should not be eaten.....The green oil was applied externally to sores, wounds, bruises and rheumatic joints, and to sore eyes and ears.