Hala Lani -Hala: the Hawaiian aphrodisiac. The hala tree (pandanus tectorius) answered a multitude of needs for the ancient Hawaiians.Its leafy branches were used for thatching, leaves (lau) were weavedinto mats, hats, sandals, and baskets.Kapamakers dipped the bristly ends of driedhalafruits into dye, using them to paint and stamp patterns into their bark cloth. Even lovers found uses forhala. When foraging for plants to kindle romance, the love-struckwouldanoint their bodies with thesweet-scented yellow pollen considered an aphrodisiacfrom the male Hala flower.
Halatrees are dioecious, either male or female. Female trees produce large, round fruits that look like pineapples, but are actually clusters of fruitlets. When ripe, they turn vivid orange, yellow, or red. Lei makers would string them together to create colorful necklaces.Those made with red hala fruit stared in the Hawaiian proverb"A pala ka hala, ‘ula ka ‘a‘i," meaning “When thehalais ripe, necks are red” which is a glorious innuendo!
Notes: Pandan and Ti leaves, ripe hala fruit nectar, tuberose, honeybush extract, yellow flower pollen, pale musk, ebony wood, Tahitian vanilla.
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