Introducing Kawakawa ; New Zealand's unique healing herb

Introducing Kawakawa.

Kawakawa is a small tree endemic to New Zealand. It grows most happily near the sea and can be found in the northern half of the country. It's botanical name is Macropiper Excelsum. It is closely related to the Kava trees which grow in the tropical Pacific.

Kawakawa has been used for centuries by Maori who had a good understanding of it's properties and uses. In the early days of European settlement where there were few choices for medical treatment it's antibacterial and healing properties were well known and it was widely used by early settlers for curing septic wounds.......leaves were bound over the wound as a poultice.

Today Kawakawa is a sought after ingredient in healing balms . It is very strongly anti-inflammatory and analgesic (pain killer) and so is an effective treatment for a wide range of skin conditions, especially good for insect bites, bee stings, allergic rashes, eczema, bruising, nappy rash, hemorrhoids

, blisters, burns , chilblains etc.

It is also strongly antiseptic and can be used on infected or dirty wounds, sty's in the eyelid, boils, acne, bedsores.

In addition it is strongly anti fungal and will effectively treat fungal infections including Athletes Foot, Fungal nail infections, ringworm.

If you suffer with viral shin infections such as those caused by the herpes virus's , cold sores, shingles, chicken pox, Kawakawa will give you quick relief.

This is a first aid kit in a jar. I have used it on very sensitive areas of my body (eye lids, lips )and found that it is safe and does not cause irritation or reactions. It is safe and effective for babies and children. Once the world discovers how good Kawakawa is, we will not be able to grow enough trees. The Kawakawa extract in my products is made from trees growing on my property and contains high concentrations of bio active ingredients.

Introducing Calendula Officionalis

Any gardener in the temperate part of the world knows this plant as the  old fashioned pot Marigold.

Like so many other valuable herbs, people still grow them in their gardens and enjoy their happy faces which flower here in New Zealand almost year round.  But we have forgotten the herbal lore which ensured their survival over thousands of years...........   Calendula is one of those incredibly valuable plants which was a staple of the herbalists craft for centuries.  It has a myriad of properties used both externally on the skin and when used internally.  It is very safe and can be safely used on babies or the elderly  and is equally effective for both.

The main reason I use Calendula is because it has incredible healing properties.  When you have a cut of some kind, your body commences a healing process to mend the hole.  Calendula enhances and speeds this process, promoting the healing of hard to heal areas.............i.e. the shin of an elderly person who has limited blood circulation.  It also minimizes scarring.   It should only be used on clean wounds as it can heal too quickly, leaving infected material inside.  

Calendula is one of the few herbs which have been clinically tested for the prevention and treatment of Medical Radiation Burns.  If you need radiation treatment I recommend you find a supply of Calendula healing balm, made as naturally as possible and with a high  level of active Calendula infusion.   I make the infused oils which are in my products by infusing Calendula flowers in cold pressed extra virgin Olive Oil.  The active constituents are absorbed by the oil as it is heated naturally be the sun.  When applied to the skin, oil based products are much more effective in conveying the healing properties of the plants than water based products as your cells will absorb the oils but tend to repel water.

CONCLUSION:

Calendula is highly effective for the prevention of acute dermatitis of grade 2 or higher and should be proposed for patients undergoing postoperative irradiation for breast cancer.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15084618 accessed19 April 2014

Keeping it Natural

In today's world our bodies are bombarded with chemicals, artificial hormones, synthetics and  man made  products which are far removed from their origins as natural ingredients. Across the first world there is a move to reconnect consumers with natural, unadulterated and only minimally processed products. There is deep disquiet about how the food and chemicals we are exposed too are affecting our health, well -being and the fertility of current and future generations.

Those of us who are concerned grow and make our own food and cleaners and cosmetics and try to purchase at local Farmers markets and organic stores.  Minimizing our footprint on the earth and enriching our communities by buying locally.

The big corporations have taken note of this move and are beginning to label their products as though they fit our criteria.  The words Natural, Herbal, Ethical, Organic are promoted alongside clever mythical back stories promoting brands as local when in fact many are owned by large international corporations.

We have been sold the lie that the only "safe" products are those which have been approved at some level and are backed by some "standard"  or double blind testing  etc..........ignoring the evidence that millions of people over thousands of years have tested and proven the efficacy  and safety of basic ingredients such as Olive Oil, Calendula, St Johns Wort, Plantain, Beeswax.   We are asked to believe that adding a plethora of chemical additives and ingredients is beneficial, rather than a commercial strategy to prolong the shelf life and improve the color and consistency of products.
What are you choosing ?  The convenience of what ever you find on the supermarket shelves or to support local producers of vibrant, clean naturally produced goods made with love by specialist growers, herbalists and  estheticians  who are connected to you in community and care about your well being ?

Natural Herbal Nourishment for Your Skin

Hello World, my name is Jean and I am the creator of Kotare Skincare

Kotare Skincare is a boutique artisan skincare company situated in New Zealand's  beautiful Bay of Plenty.
We believe that anything you put on your skin should be so natural that you could eat it if you wanted to and carefully craft our products using the revered ancient knowledge of herbalists, esthesticians and Maori herbal lore.   We hand make many herbal tinctures and infused oils using the organically grown produce from our beautiful 4 acre garden and are committed to sustainable practices.  Other ingredients are sourced as much as possible from local organic sources.

Free your skin from artificial chemicals and additives

NATURAL HERBAL NOURISHMENT FOR YOUR SKIN

Many of my products have been developed to assist clients who are sensitive to the chemicals, preservatives and perfumes found in many commercially available products.  They are desperate to find skincare and face care products which work for them, which  heal and prevent skin problems and  which are affordable.                            FACECARE

         Rich Calendula & Manuka Honey Moisturiser

               Deluxe Repair & Restore Moisturiser

                   Elderflower & Jojoba eye Cream

                     Aloe & Calendula Moisturising Creme

                       Rose & Calendula Moisturising Creme

               Aloe & Elderflower Eye Creme

                                                                                          

                                   Cocoa Butter & Calendula Moisturiser Melts

SKINCARE

Calendula & Manuka Honey Balm

Eczema Calm Balm

Kawakawa & Tea Tree Antiseptic/ Anti-fungal Creme

Calendula & Colloidal Silver Creme

Chicken Pox/ Shingles Balm

See more at : Kotare Skincare on         Facebook

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Product List

Kotare Skincare  Product List

Moisturisers & Eye Creams

Aloe & Calendula Moisturising Crème 50ml $20.00 ,100ml $30.00

Pamper your face with a nourishing blend of healing and calming herbs which will revitalize your stressed skin. Calendula, Aloe Vera ,Lavender, and Rose , Coconut , Vitamin E combine powerfully to aid your skin's healing and regeneration and provide vital moisture to re-hydrate and replenish. For normal/dry/mature, sensitive skin or inflamed/eczema prone .

Rose and Calendula Moisturising Crème 50ml $20.00, 100ml $30.00

A light absorbent moisturiser for normal or younger complexions. Providing a protective layer of healing nourishment to protect you from the environment. Apricot Kernel , Sweet Almond and Rose , Calendula and Vitamin E to feed and renew your skin, retaining and enhancing your youthful beauty as they feed and care for your skin.

Elderflower and Jojoba Eye Creme 20ml $15.00

Banish puffy tired eyes and those fine lines which congregate around your eyes. Jojoba , Elderflower and Carrot Seed Oil nourish the delicate skin around your eyes, assisting in skin healing and renewal. This Cream also contains Rosehip Oil and Vitamin E which minimise and prevent those ageing fine lines. This light nourishing cream is highly absorbent and can be applied before using makeup.

Aloe and Elderflower Eye Crème 20ml $15.00

A light creamy, highly absorbent ,nourishing eye cream for those with sensitive skin .

A gentle and indispensable saviour for the delicate skin around your eye area. This light, fragrance-free formulation includes powerful botanicals Jojoba and Calendula to revitalise the eye contour area helping to moisturise and firm. Extracts of Elderflower and Aloe Vera refresh and soothe the skin helping to reduce the appearance of puffiness and fine lines. Rich in nourishing and restoring Carrot and Apricot Kernel oils to deliver deep hydration and protect skin, banishing the ageing effects of tiredness and stress in one quick sweep. For normal,dry,mature, sensitive skin or inflamed, eczema prone.

Elixirs; Rich oil blends to deeply nourish overnight 25ml $30.00

Evening Luxe Elixir

A rich blend of nourishing oils to soften, moisturise, heal, tone and speed cell regeneration as you sleep. Lavender oil to calm and relax you into sleep, Jojoba, Apricot Kernel, Tamanu and Calendula to nourish and heal, speeding cell regeneration , Rose oil and Vitamin E to feed and soften and minimise the appearance of wrinkles.

For all skin types as a rich emollient oil to apply at night..

Repair & Restore Elixir 25ml 
$30.00

A regenerative and anti inflammatory Elixir containing skin-supportive fatty acids that help repair and pamper skin. If your skin is damaged by sun exposure, smoking, age or hormonal issues or you need to deeply nourish dry skin, this Elixir will repair and revive without irritating. Carrot Seed Oil, Calendula, Rosehip, Tamanu, Sweet Almond and Apricot Kernel Oils, Vitamin E.

For normal, dry, mature, sensitive, or environmentally damaged skin.

Jojoba & Rose Eye Serum 25ml $30.00

Jojoba and Rosehip Oils are very close in texture to the skin's own sebum and are quickly absorbed by the thirsty skin around your eyes. Also contains Vitamin E and Carrot seed which are specialists in nourishing, hydrating, and minimising the signs of tiredness and aging. Recommended as an overnight rehydration fix for your eyes.

Cocoa Butter , Coconut & Calendula Moisturiser Melts $10.00 per 4

A lush new way to moisturise your skin. These rich bars melt on contact with your skin giving a light layer of nourishing oils to rub in. Fantastic for babies , as a massage bar, for after waxing or shaving or too much sun or as an everyday beauty treatment for your skin. A rich blend of Cocoa Butter, Calendula, Olive Oil, Coconut Oil, Beeswax.

Available in : NATURAL, LAVENDER: , ROSE or FRENCH VANILLA .

Healing Solutions

Calendula and Manuka Honey Balm. 50Ml $15.00,100ml $25.00

Approved and clinically trialed to prevent and treat Radiation Burns. Healing for all minor skin conditions ;gardeners or milkers hands, cracked heels, nappy rash, sore nipples, minor cuts and grazes, minor burns, to soften and heal surgical wounds and minimise scarring. Healing and restorative for the elderly who have fragile skin which is resistant to healing. Calminative and anti -inflammatory ; safe for babies and children.

Eczema Calm Balm 50ml $15.00, 100ml $25.00

Designed to relieve and heal inflamed itchy Eczema and to assist in preventing outbreaks by calming the skin's response . Combining the skin healing, anti -inflammatory and anti -itch properties of Comfrey, Calendula, Aloe Vera, Plantain , Chickweed , Castor oil , Lavender and Vitamin E . Calminative and anti- inflammatory ; safe for babies and children.

Kawakawa & Tea Tree Antiseptic/Antifungal 50ml $15.00, 100ml $25.00

Combining the powerful antibacterial, antifungal, anti-viral , anti-inflamatory and anaesthetic properties of Tea Tree and Kawakawa, this crème is a weapon to fight : atheletes foot ( Tinea), fungal nail bed infections, infected wounds or as an antiseptic cream on wounds to prevent infection, heals insect bites , acne, cold sores, boils, ringworm, herpes, rashes.Instantly calms itching and inflammation from sandfly and mosquito bites. Mild insect repellent.

Calendula and Colloidal Silver Crème 50ml $15.00, 100ml $25.00

Combining the wonderful healing properties of Calendula with Colloidal Silver , two remedies which have been used for centuries to assist the natural healing process of the skin. Colloidal Silver is recognised as a safe, effective and gentle anti-bacterial which assists healing and soothes inflammation. Calming and healing for Dermatitis, Eczema, Poraisis , cuts, rashes, sunburn. Fantastic natural alternative to aqueous creams.

Chicken Pox /Shingles Balm 50ml $15.00, 100ml $25.00

Chicken Pox and Shingles are both caused by the Herpes Zoster virus.. Apply 2 x daily to any areas where the rash is appearing. This highly effective balm stops the itching, pain and inflammation of the pox lesions or shingles rash . Containing strong natural antivirals which specifically target the Herpes Zoster virus and relieve the pain, itching and spread of the rash . Contains : Melissa Officionalis Tincture, St John's Wort , Tea Tree, Kawakawa, Calendula, Plantain. Shingles Balm also contains Capsicum to allieviate the nerve pain so care should be taken not to apply to sensitive areas. Please advise which condition you need to treat. This balm is safe for children and babies.

About Kotare Skincare :

Kotare Skincare is a boutique artisinal Skincare company commimtted to producing natural herbal remedies for your skincare needs. Water based creams contain Naturaguard Ultra (an ecocert preservative ) .All other products contain no preservatives other than those naturally occuring as properties of the ingredients; I recommend that you store them in a cool, dark environment and use them within 6 months of purchase. All products are made from natural ingredients and contain high levels of bioactive herbal infusions and are hand made using traditional methods. All ingredients are healing and beneficial for your skin. All products are free from artificial preservatives, colors, perfumes and added chemicals. Certified organic ingredients are used where available. All are safe and effective for even the most sensitive skin conditions, and can safely be used by : babies, children, the elderly and those suffering eczema or psoriasis.

Prices @ September 2014