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

Soap Making The Easy Way (Using Melt & Pour Soap Bases)

Date:Saturday 6th of November
Time: 10:30am – 5:00pm
Fee: $160.00 (Inclusive of all materials, Take home your creations)

Prepare to be inspired with stylish and innovative soap crafting the easy way, utilising Melt & Pour soap bases, natural colours, herbs, oils and fragrances. Ideal for gift giving or to dazzle your bathroom, and to know what is really in your bath soaps.

During this fun workshop you will create gorgeous goat’s milk soaps, clear translucent soaps, natural olive soaps, imbedded soaps and stunningly beautiful felted soaps. All to take home on the day.

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

Cottage Hill Herb Farm is pleased to announce its 2011 Herbal Diploma course starting in February 2011…

A Little About Herbal Medicine
Herbal medicine is the oldest medicine on the planet and still the referred medicine of the greater population worldwide. More than 80% of the world’s population uses Herbals as mainstream medicine, according to the World Health Organisation.

Most of us do not have the slightest idea of how to achieve and maintain good health today. Our fast pace lifestyles, with polluted environments, alcohol abuse, drug dependencies, fast foods and high tech stress, make us susceptible to all sorts of illnesses, with many of them life threatening. The 3rd leading cause of death in the Western world today is the admission to a hospital!! What does this say for our healthcare system.

We have simply lost the ability to take an active part in our own healing of ill health and in understanding the simplicity of achieving optimum health, through the cleansing, rebuilding and maintenance of our bodies, using pure, natural, cost effective herbs processed in the traditional ways.

Cottage Hill Herbs ’Diploma of Herbal Studies’ is a unique way to study the uses and application of a wide range of herbs. Students work with the plants, grown organically, working from the ground up – learning practical methods of growing and use of herbs traditionally and clinically. We develop an intimate understanding of the plants when working with nature first hand. The aromas, scents and growth patterns speak to us and we each grow in an awareness of the other.

Resources at the Herb Farm include many hundreds of herb plant varieties, an extensive library is available for student use, a herbal dispensary for clinical study and excellent resources focusing on real herbal medicine.

The Diploma of Herbal Studies is a year long part time study programme conducted from the Herb Farm, with small groups of students working together in harmony with the plants using organic methods of production. Dozens of plants, herbal extracts, teas, capsule making, tinctures, ointments, oil blends, flower essences and skin care products are produced over the year by each student, giving first hand knowledge of the best methods of production most suited to each individual herb and how best to extract the ‘principle’ and most potent forces from each plant.

This knowledge leads to opportunities for not only producing own individual herbal products and medications, but to the growing business and employment potential now available in this sought after field.

Cottage Hill Herb Farm was first established in 1976 and is situated on the banks of beautiful Akatarawa River and operates on organic perma-culture principles. We take pride in being the leading education centre in New Zealand in hands on education with 30 years of experience, teaching  herbal medicine and natural skin care.

Dedicated to the preservation, study and dissemination of natural herbal knowledge.

• No prior herbal knowledge is required for this course, although the commitment to complete assignments given throughout the year is essential. This involves approximately 3 hours per week in addition to class attendance.
• Graduation is not subject to examination, but is assessed on adequate completion and understanding of all assignments given over the year’s course.
• Becoming herbally educated is one of the most important and cost effective steps you can take toward wise and effective healing of body, mind and spirit.
• Class numbers are strictly limited to 8 students only.
• The class year consists of monthly attendance of one full weekend per month, held at the Herb Farm. Assignments and further weekly study is conducted during students own time, but is a requirement of attendance. On time regular attendance is also required, as is prepayment of student fees.
• All materials, herb plants, seeds, bottles etc are supplied. All ointments, crèmes, tinctures, capsules etc – produced by students are supplied at no additional cost to students and become the property of each student. Personal paperwork and books are not supplied, but notes where required are provided, other than those taken during class.
• Total hours involved are approximately 200, plus assignments

1. Introduction to Herbal Medicine and Herbal Terminology.
2. Body Systems, Disease, Nutrition Therapy.
3. Herbal Therapeutics, Herbal First Aid.
4. Herbal Medicine and Animal Treatments. Including production of animal care products.
5. Herb Identification, Collection and Cataloging of 50 Herb Specimens.
6. Horticultural Methods, Propagation, Harvesting, Drying and Seed Collection.
7.Understanding the Elements of Health.
8. Holistic Nutrition, Diet, and Detoxification.
9. Identifying Symptoms.
10. Phytonutrients and Nutraceuticals.
11. Planting “Your Green Pharmacy”.
12. Essential Oils and their Therapeutic Use and Application
13. Production of Ointments, Salves, Tinctures, Oil Blends, Capsules, Formulas and Herbal Teas.
14. Formulations, Poultices, Compresses, and Powders.
15. Natural Skin Care Creation.
16. Running a Chemical Free Home and Formulation of Cleaning Products.
17. Flower Essences.
18. Herbal Crafts, Seasonings and Culinary Blends
19. Business and Marketing Opportunities

Class Dates
February 19th and 20th
March 19th and 20th
April 16th and 17th
May 21st and 22nd
June 18th and 19th
July 16th and 17th
August 20th and 21st
September 17th and 18th
October 22nd and 23rd
November 19th and 20th

10:30am – 4:30pm

Fee: $2570 (inclusive) as per enrolment conditions

Students enrolling in the Herbal Diploma are strictly limited to 8 students in total per course. Should a student be unable to complete the course, the course fee is still due and payable, as per enrolment conditions.

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

Cottage Hill Herb Farm is pleased to announce its 2011 Diploma of Natural Skin Care course starting in February 2011…

The Education Centre at Cottage Hill Herbs has been at the forefront of hands on education for more than 30 years. We pride ourselves on the many students who have established successful businesses and product ranges after completing our study programme. This year we are again proud to offer…

The first course of its kind available in NZ on natural skin care. Now in its fifth year.

• A very comprehensive course which explores just what “really” constitutes “pure and natural” skin care in both the commercial sector and the home industry market.
• You will learn the devastating effects on health that the thousands of chemicals used in today’s skin and body care products may produce. We consume up to 15kg per person per year of these toxic products – by application to skin, hair and mouth – with often an unseen and cumulative effect on our bodies, minds and spirit.
• You will learn to understand skin structure, various skin problems and disease – how nutrition impacts skin structure and health, and how to create a glowing radiant skin using your own beautiful skin care creations.
• The potential for pure NZ made skin care products is huge. Natural products are still hard to find commercially with demand increasing day by day.
• This course will set you on a path to creating your own unique range of pure, natural skin and body care products – free of synthetic chemicals and preservatives.
• Ideal for massage therapists, beauty therapists, day spa operators, hair dressers, naturopaths, herbalists etc. – who wish to provide pure natural therapeutic products to their clients , or for those who wish to earn additional income by providing natural skin and body care products to friends and family, or those who wish to supply their own unique skin care range to commercial outlets, and for those who simply wish to know what they are “really using on their body”, and prefer to create their own.
• You will learn to rejuvenate your own skin with herbs, vitamins, precious oils and other valuable botanical products.
• You will learn to grow and process many herbal ingredients for your skin care use. You will make from the garden many raw ingredients for your product range.
• You will learn to individualise your own creams and lotions for specific skin conditions and to create exciting and beautiful formulas for your skin care range.
• We cover packaging, labeling, logos and marketing your own products along with the business opportunities.
• A year’s course designed to encourage and inspire you to create quality natural skin care products to rival those found in the most exclusive department stores and shops.



• Bath products: Salts for luxurious soaks, for pain and therapeutic use, natural toothpastes and powders, talcums, bath oils, bubble baths, bath bags, bath teas, plus bath milks, melts and bath bombs.
• Body care: Salt scrubs, massage oils, floral waters, body mists, lotions, waxes and creams.
• Hair care: Shampoo and conditioners, herbal washes and rinses, warm oil treatments, hair rescue, waxes.
• Hand and foot care: Repair products, crèmes and lotions, nail care, fungal conditions and treatments, conditioners and oils.
• Masculine products.
• Facials, exfoliaters and masks.
• Eye treatments: Eye balms, gels, crèmes, compresses, eye strengthening herbs, infections.
• Skin care: Cleansers, moisturisers, hydrosols, toners, lip balms, facial oils, skin crèmes, and lotions for different skin types, acne treatments, formulations.
• Product testing.
• Creating your image.
• Labeling and logos.
• Marketing your products.
• Modules Covered
• Natural versus chemical ingredients.
• The effects of cosmetic chemicals on the human body.
• Skin structure and epidermiology.
• Nutrition for healthy skin.
• Safe botanicals and their effects.
• Natural herbal ingredients and skin care tonics.
• Vitamins, Minerals, Enzymes for optimum skin, hair and nail health.
• Allergies and skin testing.
• Skin typing – identifying skin needs.
• Creating basic formulations.
• Emulsification and blending.
• Creating pure base creams, lotions, butters and cleansers.
• Aromatherapy, essential oils and cosmetic use.
• Perfumery and fragrancing: The creation of colognes, perfumes etc.

The school year consists of one year part time classes conducted one full weekend per month. Strictly limited to 8 students only.

Fee: $2950 per year inclusive of all materials needed for product formulations. (Take home all your own creations). You will create hundreds and hundreds of dollars worth of beautiful skincare products and raw materials for more skincare formulations during this one of a kind course. These are yours to take home with no further cost to students.

10:30am – 4:30pm

Enrolments close as soon as course is filled

All enrolments must carry completed enrolment form with deposit.  Please click here to download an enrollment 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

Soap Making The Easy Way (using Melt & Pour soap bases)

Date: Sunday October 3rd
Time: 10:30am – 5:00pm
Fee: $160.00 Inclusive of all materials – Take home your creations)

Prepare to be inspired with stylish and innovative soap crafting the easy way, utilising Melt & Pour soap bases, natural colours, herbs, oils and fragrances. Ideal for gift giving or to dazzle your bathroom, and to know what is really in your bath soaps.

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

Course Notes:

• All workshop fees are inclusive of all materials. Take home your creations
• These workshops and classes will be held on the listed dates only and NOT repeated (in 2010)
• Class numbers are strictly limited to a maximum of 10 students.
• Please book early to ensure your place.
• Please bring notebook and pen to each class and your lunch where applicable.
• No enrolment accepted unless accompanied by completed enrolment form and deposit. (Visa and Mastercard accepted)
• Should a class not proceed – deposit paid will be fully refunded.
• Please arrive on time for selected workshop.

Venue: Cottage Hill Herb Farm2 Bridge Rd, Birchville, Upper Hutt Phone: (04) 526 4753 Fax: (04) 526 4751For driving directions to Cottage Hill Herbs please click here