Donna’s Blog

Haemorrhoid Ointment

1/2 cup organic moisturising base cream 10 drops calendula oil 12 drops witch hazel extract 8 drops myrrh tincture 12 drops aloe vera liquid Combine all ingredients thoroughly. This ointment shrinks and heals painful haemorrhoids and eases itching. When treating this painful condition – the circulatory system needs to be addressed in order to prevent reoccurrence.

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New: Orris Root CHIPS

Our ever popular Orris Root Powder is now available in Chip form! Orris Root Powder is widely used as a fixative to scent pot pourri’s etc, the chips however do not cloud your pot pourri like the powder sometimes does. Price is $13.95 per 50gms of Orris Root Chips. Give us a call on (04) 5264753, or email Donna@cottagehillherbs.co.nz to order yours!

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Vanilla Butter Melts

Vanilla butter melts   This version is somewhat firmer than the Shea melts and a little silkier due to the Cocoa Butter.   Small chocolate moulds 40gm Cocoa butter 25gm Beeswax 40ml Vanilla bean infused sesame oil (or cold pressed oil of choice) 25ml Apricot cold pressed oil 5ml (120 drops) Vanilla oleoresin (or 6ml Vanilla fragrant oil) Method- Melt Cocoa butter, Beeswax and cold pressed oils in top of a double boiler until well combined. Allow to cool slightly before adding essential or fragrant oil. Pour into moulds and allow to harden at least 24 hours before unmoulding.

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Butter Melts

Butter Melts These beautiful butter melts may be used in the shower by wetting and warming the body under hot water and then rubbing the melt all over the skin to soothe, soften and nourish – leaving silky softness all over – or if bathing, pop one melt into the bath water for a luxurious silky moisturising bath. (Be careful, as bath or shower may become quite slippery.) Small chocolate moulds 130gm Shea Nut Butter 120gm Beeswax 60ml Jojoba oil cold pressed 30ml Coconut oil cold pressed 30ml Sesame oil cold pressed 15 drops Bergamot essential oil 10 Drops Mandarin […]

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HERBAL DIPLOMAS 2014

** HERBAL DIPLOMA 2014 **   Due to the huge popularity of our Herbal Diploma, this class for 2014 is now full! However, as we now have a number of people on a waiting list for the Herbal Diploma we have decided to cancel our Skincare Diploma and run a further Herbal Diploma for 2014. The SECOND Herbal Diploma will be the same dates as listed for the Skincare Diploma. These dates are: March – 8th and 9th April – 12th and 13th May – 10th and 11th June – 7th and 8th July – 12th and 13th August – 9th […]

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Pig fat in cosmetics

How pig fats are smuggled into your cosmetic and hair care products   The slaughter industry has a big problem to get rid of the large amount of pig fat they amass in their slaughter houses. They try to sell this off in many disguises and they don’t need by law to declare where it comes from. According to Richard Lutwyche, a British pig farmer, “in the UK, big commercial farms send their pigs to large abattoirs. The abattoir will find different markets for all the by-products”, he says. “Everything they can’t sell they have to incinerate, so it’s in […]

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Burning Feet Formula

Burning Feet Formula 1 cup Magnesium Sulphate (Epsom Salts) ½ tsp Menthol Crystals 4 drops peppermint essential oil Combine essential oil with Epsom salts and Menthol Crystals by placing all in a glass jar and shaking together until well combined. Use the above amount in a warm foot bath and soak for 20 – 30 minutes. This mixture is very cooling and calming to hot burning feet. Use as and when required.

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Skincare Ingredients

Skincare Ingredients        ASPECTS THAT AFFECT THE SHELF LIFE   OF YOUR NATUAL HANDMADE SKINCARE PRODUCTS   My experience over more than 40 years of teaching production methods for natural skincare has been that the single most limiting factor in obtaining a reasonable shelf life for your products is the cold pressed carrier oils chosen to include into your creams. Carrier oils are prone to faster oxidation, which causes them to turn rancid more readily. This is especially significant when used in creams and lotions that have been packaged in pots.  Repeated opening of the pot, exposing the […]

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Restless Leg Formula

Restless Leg Formula 1 cup Magnesium Sulphate (Epsom Salts) 2 drops Chamomile essential oil 1 drop Sweet Lavender essential oil 1 drop Ginger essential oil Combine essential oils with Epsom salts by placing in a glass jar and shaking together until well combined. Use the above amount in a warm to hot foot bath every night for 7 – 10 days and then several times a week thereafter for optimum results. This mixture if used correctly will calm and settle restless legs and greatly assists with sleep.

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2 Day Natural Skincare

February 2014 2 Day Natural Skincare Workshop     Date: Saturday February 22nd & February 23rd Time: 10:30am – 5:00pm Fee: $485.00 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 and effective skincare products. Over the course of 2 days you will learn to make your own organic base creams, herbal infused oils, tinctures, glycerites etc to include with your creams and lotions. You will learn which herbs and natural ingredients are the most effective in rejuvenating, healing and […]

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Diploma of Natural Skin Care 2014 Announcement

Cottage Hill Herb Farm is pleased to announce its 2014 Diploma of Natural Skin Care course starting in March 2014… The Education Centre at Cottage Hill Herbs has been at the forefront of hands on education for more than 40 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 seventh year. A very comprehensive course which explores just what “really” constitutes “pure and natural” […]

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2014 Herbal Diploma course Announcement

Cottage Hill Herb Farm is pleased to announce its 2014 Herbal Diploma course starting in March 2014… A Little About Herbal Medicine Herbal medicine is the oldest medicine on the planet and still the preferred 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 […]

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