The start of this course has been postponed until Saturday the 21st of April.

Click here to view details of this course

Certified Organic Sea Buckthorn Fruit Oil

This beautiful and richly coloured oil has an unsurpassed level of carotenes and vitamin A and E and is second only to rosehip in its vitamin C content. An extremely high level of essential fatty acids, vitamins B1, B2, K and P and Flavonoids.

Because of the high content of nutrients essential for the metabolism of skin cells, Sea Buckthorn oil is used to combat wrinkles, dryness, aged skins, sun damage, wound healing of injuries to skin, such as burns, eczema, ulcers, sores and lesions.

Sea Buckthorn is both medicinal and anti-ageing, restorative and revitalising in both skincare and skin healing products.
 
 

Shea Nut Butter Oil

This is the oil form of our very popular shea nut butter. The oil form is similar to our liquid coconut oil where the fatty solid portion has been removed, keeping the product in a liquid state rather than solid form.

This oil contains all of the wonderful properties of the solid form, but is able to be added to other oils for use in massage oils etc. it contains some ultra-violet protection in either form and is added to all products where a sun screening effect is needed. It also assists in healing of bruising and pain and is considered a warming, penetrating and very emollient oil.
 
 

Tamanu Nut Oil

This fantastic oil from Madagascar was considered to be a sacred gift of the gods according to the ancients and is widely used by native peoples for its amazing healing effects on the skin and body. Research has shown a 70 – 75% success rate in alleviating rheumatic pain when used daily.

Bioscience laboratories conducted studies on its ability to improve the appearance of scars over a 9 week test period, scars were rated for roughness, length and width and degree of skin appearance.

The oil was applied twice daily over the 9 week period. There was a significant improvement after just 6 weeks and improvement continued in the further 3 weeks of this trial.

Tamanu oil fades stretch marks dramatically. It was also applied during the 1920’s by a nun in Fiji – a sister Marie-Suzanne to leprosy victims with positive results.

Tamanu oil promotes new tissue formation, accelerating healing and healthy skin growth. It is an analgesic oil helping to relieve the pain of sciatica, arthritis, burns, post-surgical wounds, skin allergies and is powerfully anti-inflammatory. It is also effective for gout, for fungal skin and nail problems, like athletes foot, ring worm etc. also utilised for insect bites, acne and acne scars, psoriasis, diabetic sores and ulcers, anal fissures, sun burn, eczema, herpes, diaper rash and even to reduce foot and body odour.

Tamanu nut oil is truly remarkable.
 
 
Additional Cold Pressed Oils We Stock Are:
Aloe Vera Oil
Almond Oil (Sweet)
Apricot Kernel Oil
Avocado Oil
Borage Seed Oil
Camellia Oil
Castor Oil
Coconut Oil
Evening Primrose Oil
Grape Seed Oil
Hemp Oil
Jojoba Oil
Macadamia Oil
Neem Oil
Passionflower Oil
Pumpkin Seed Oil
Rosehip Seed Oil
Rice Bran Oil
Sunflower Seed Oil
Sesame Seed Oil
Turkey Red Oil
Walnut Oil
Wheatgerm Oil

We also have a huge range of herbally infused oils.

Completely New Revised Course

Due to repeated requests from past and current students, we are pleased to announce a new ongoing extension to our existing herbal diploma, taking students
into part one of a new, revised year two – one week day per month for 10 months. Although there is a curriculum, much of the year’s work will be based upon
an expansion of work already completed with particular emphasis on the needs and requirements of the class group.

During the year, the class will be concentrating on wild harvesting, individualised herbal remedies and product development. Students will be working more
proportionally with understanding the energetics of local, commonly available plants, coming from the same ground and locations as we ourselves do.
New, exciting, plants and materials not worked with before. New research, new herbs, new products and remedies, incorporating new in depth ways of creating
unique formulations contributing to greater understanding and raised levels of wholeness with respect to each students personalized product ranges. In this regard
the year’s work will be highly individualised to each student’s level of intuition, plant insights and unique preparation forms.

Open only to students who have completed our herbal diploma, year one and/or year two. Particularly suited to those students needing a refresher and those
who feel the need for further development and knowledge, in creating more medicines, skincare or healthcare ranges. Nothing remains static – least of all our knowledge
and awareness of our wonderful, healing, nourishing and sustaining plant allies, who benefit us from the cradle to the grave. Please enrol early as this year’s class
only has a few vacancies left.

Continuing Herbal Education

A year focusing on more detailed and intensive herbal studies. Much more emphasis is placed on the practical application and production of herbal products, treatments and protocols.

Formulations are more intensively studied and produced during this year’s work.

1. Identification collection and cataloging of a further 10 herbs. To be intensively catergorised.

2. Plant constituents and their purpose in herbal healing:

• Acids
• Alkaloids
• Carbohydrates
• Enzymes
• Flavonoids
• Glycosides
• Gums and Mucilages
• Phenols
• Tannins
• Resins
• Saponins
• Starches
• Volatiles Oils
• Waxes

3. Herbal production and application of:

• Five types of infusions
• Linaments
• Poultices
• Ointments / salves and balms
• Herbal syrups
• Oxymels
• Fomentations
• Pessaries / suppositories
• Percolation
• Maceration
• Compounds
• Lozenges
• Enemas (types)
• Cerates
• Powders
• Casts / plasters
• Electuaries
• Vermifuges
• Glycerites
• Succus’s
• Pills
• Concentrates
• Mojo’s
• Flower Essences

4. Wild crafted herbs.

5. Herb plant identification follow-on.

6. Culinary herbals.

7. Natural skin care.

8. Nutritional therapeutics, vitamins, foods and drugs.

9. Absorbability of herbal medicines in various solvents –

10. Remedies:

• Peripheral vasodilators
• Circulatory stimulates
• Digestives
• Bitters
• Diuretics
• Relaxants
• Expectorants
• Alteratives
• Tonics
• Hormonals
• Herbal combing

11. Disorders / disease and principles of medicine making.

12. Male health and herbs.

13. Children’s health and herbs.

14. Natural animal healthcare.

15. Detoxification and healing.

16. Spiritual properties and herbs.

17. Native plant medicine and properties.

Class Dates:

Sunday March 13th
Saturday April 29th
Sunday May 15th
Sunday June 12th
Sunday July 10th
Sunday August 7th
Sunday September 4th
Sunday October 9th
Sunday November 6th
Sunday December 3rd

Times: 10.30am – 4.30pm
Please be on time.

Fee: $1450 (inclusive) as per enrolment conditions.

Note: Fees cover all materials and products produced, including literature supplied.

All enrolments must include completed enrolment form with deposit.

Enrolments close as soon as course is filled.

Please click here to download an enrolment form.

Venue: This course is held at the Cottage Hill Herb Farm located at 2 Bridge Road, Birchville, Upper Hutt.
Please click here for driving directions to Cottage Hill Herbs in Upper Hutt

February 2011

Wild Weeds As Food & Medicine

Date:Sunday 13th of February
Time: 10:30am – 4:30pm
Fee: $89.00 (Inclusive of all materials)

An informative and money saving look at the amazing culinary and medicinal uses of the common weeds of our gardens and wild walkways. Learn how to use them for their vitamin, mineral and nutrient value – how to prepare them and how to turn them into useful and easily prepared medicinal products. Take home plants and medicinal products.

Click here to download an enrolment form or email Donna for further details

Chest Rubs & Oils

Date:Thursday 24th of February
Time: 7:00pm – 10:00pm
Fee: $85.00 (Inclusive of all materials)

Learn how to create your own ointments, salves and chest rubs from common garden weeds and herbs that grow easily around us.

You will make and take home:
• Infused Oils
• Wound Ointment
• Healing Salve for treating eczema, skin problems etc
• Chest Rub for bronchial and respiratory conditions

Click here to download an enrolment form or email Donna for further details

March 2011

Creating Natural Skincare Products

(Two Day Intensive Workshop)

Date:Saturday 5th and Sunday the 6th of March
Time: 10:30am – 5:00pm
Fee: $340.00 (Inclusive of all materials)

A two day basic intensive workshop designed to show you how simple, easy and cost effective it is to create your own superior, chemical free beautiful skincare products.

Over the course of two days you will learn to make your own base creams, herbal infused oils etc. study which herbs and natural ingredients are the most effective in rejuvenating, healing and improving the look, texture and health of your skin.

You will learn how to make over fifteen unique, specialized natural skin and body care products worth hundreds of dollars and you will take these home with you at the end of each day. No experience is necessary – we set you on a new and exciting path to formulating all of your personal skincare products free of any chemical contamination, and customized to suit your skins unique needs.

Note: Please book early. Class numbers are strictly limited with places usually booked out early. Enrolment form and deposit required to secure your place.

During the workshop you will make and take home:

• Base cream
• Herbally infused oil
• Healing hand cream
• Skin and body oil
• Moisturiser
• Cleanser
• Body scrub
• Facial masks
• Exfoliater
• Lip Balm
• Shampoo
• Conditioner

Click here to download an enrolment form or email Donna for further details

April 2011

Soap Making The Easy Way

(Using Melt & Pour Soap Bases)

Date:Saturday 10th of April
Time: 10:30am – 5:00pm
Fee: $160.00 (Inclusive of all materials, take home your creations)

An informative and money saving look at the amazing culinary and medicinal uses of the common weeds of our gardens and wild walkways. Learn how to use them for their vitamin, mineral and nutrient value – how to prepare them and how to turn them into useful and easily prepared medicinal products. Take home plants and medicinal products.

Click here to download an enrolment form or email Donna for further details

May 2011

More Creative Melt & Pour Soap Making

Date:Sunday 1st of May
Time: 10:30am – 5:00pm
Fee: $180.00 (Inclusive of all materials)

This is a follow on from our most popular soap making basic melt & pour course. During this highly fragrant day we will explore soaps for specific skin problems and ages. You will learn fun and easy methods to make a variety of shapes and sizes, embedding techniques, colour combining, using clays, micas and pigments. Hand made melt and pour soaps are safe, easy and very creative to make from pure natural ingro.

During this workshop you will make and take home: -

• Shaving Soap
• Goats Milk Soaps
• Gardeners Soap
• Babies and children’s soaps
• Loaf – style soaps
• Re-milled soaps
• Butter bars
• Layered soaps

Click here to download an enrolment form or email Donna for further details

We are now stockists of these beautiful hand hammered copper stills from Portugal. The stills may be used for making wine, hydrosols and essential oils. These are traditional distillers with no gaskets, simple and easy to use and very cost effective. We have them on display in our herb shop, if you would like to view them physically or email enquiries to donna@cottagehillherbs.co.nz