Donna’s Blog

Ayurveda consultations and workshops in Wellington by Dr. Gupta

On August 23, 2015   /   Herbal Medicine and Health, News and Updates   /   Comments Off on Ayurveda consultations and workshops in Wellington by Dr. Gupta

Ayurveda is a 5000 year old science originating in India that describes how to live in harmony with one’s natural constitution and the environment to obtain and maintain health and longevity. Wellington Ayurveda Association is organising a series of Workshops and Consultaions with renowned Ayurvedic  practitioner Dr. Gupta from 31st Aug to 12th September in and around the Wellington region. Complete details of the events can be found here.

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What are Fragrant Oils?

On August 23, 2015   /   Featured Product, Natural Skincare and Beauty   /   Comments Off on What are Fragrant Oils?

  Although fragrant oils are very beneficial and have a myriad of uses, they are synthetic and are not to be confused with pure essential oils which are therapeutic, having medicinal actions. Because pure essential oils are extracted from plants, they must be used with care and knowledge of the plant’s properties. Pure essential oils are expensive and tend to dissipate with air exposure, they also have the potential to irritate the skin when incorrect choice of pure essential oil is made or too much is added to a product. Fragrant oils on the other hand are available in many […]

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Blackberry (Weekly Skincare and Healing Herbs: Some herbs to use in natural skincare or healing products)

On August 20, 2015   /   Natural Skincare and Beauty   /   Comments Off on Blackberry (Weekly Skincare and Healing Herbs: Some herbs to use in natural skincare or healing products)

  A free under-rated resource One of the best tonic herbs available widely along riverbanks and waster areas. Early young spring leaf growth to be found at this time of the year (for free)- blackberry leaves and shoots are packed with vitamins, minerals, enzymes, anti-oxidants and make for a great green tea substitute that may be gently dried for later use or made into tincture, glycerite, infused oil or into a cider vinegar tincture along with rosehips, chickweed, plantain and/or garlic for a most health enhancing tonic for the whole family. Leaves collected early in the season have no prickles […]

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BURDOCK (Weekly Skincare and Healing Herbs: Some herbs to use in natural skincare or healing products)

On August 13, 2015   /   Featured Herb, Natural Skincare and Beauty   /   Comments Off on BURDOCK (Weekly Skincare and Healing Herbs: Some herbs to use in natural skincare or healing products)

  This is the herb for acne especially when used both internally and externally. Burdock has a profound effect on skin conditions such as acne, eczema, psoriasis, dandruff and skin generally. It improves the liver and lymphatic flow, cleanses environmental and other toxins from the system, softening and rejuvenating the skin by improving circulation, micro-circulation and lymph flow to the skin. Burdock cleanses the blood, aids fat metabolism, is anti-fungal, anti-septic and anti-inflammatory and also helps with dandruff, hair loss and excessive oilyness.  

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Under-functioning Thyroid: A common un-diagnosed condition

On August 13, 2015   /   Herbal Medicine and Health   /   Comments Off on Under-functioning Thyroid: A common un-diagnosed condition

In his book “Hyperthyroidism”, Dr. Broda Barnes lists these symptoms as being characteristic of how thyroid functions: Lethargy Impaired Memory Dry Skin Eczema Constipation Elevated Cholesterol Menstrual Disorders (Fibroids, Ovarian Cysts, Cervical Polyps) Chronic Recurrent  Infections (Ear Infections, Sinusitis, Colds etc) Anemia Mental Health Issues Nervousness & Irritability Migraines Boils, Carbuncles, Acne and Skin Itch Poor Circulation Endometriosis Miscarriage Chronic Fatigue Dr. Barnes developed the Barnes Basal Temperature test as an excellent indicator of an under-functioning thyroid. This test involves a full 10 minute in the armpit test of temperature first thing upon wakening every day for a month. Temperature […]

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Weekly Skincare and Healing Herbs: Some herbs to use in natural skincare or healing products.

On August 6, 2015   /   Featured Herb   /   Comments Off on Weekly Skincare and Healing Herbs: Some herbs to use in natural skincare or healing products.

Bay Is a great antiseptic, anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory. Great for baths, oils and products used for painful muscles and joints, sprains, sports injuries and arthritic issues. Bay is stimulating and may be used in facial steams and for nail products which comes in very handy for treating nail fungus. Helpful in shampoo and conditioner for dandruff. Bay is popular in men’s products such as aftershave, creams, oils etc. Also used in creating perfumes as well as salves and liniments for pain. May be infused into oils, tinctured or added to water baths or made into hydrosols.

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Weekly Skincare and Healing Herbs: Some herbs to use in natural skincare or healing products.

On August 1, 2015   /   Natural Skincare and Beauty   /   Comments Off on Weekly Skincare and Healing Herbs: Some herbs to use in natural skincare or healing products.

Anise Seeds Yummy, licorice like scent and flavour. It is an anti-inflammatory and mild stimulant. Use in facial steams to open pores and in cleansers, toners and soaps for its anti-inflammatory and skin stimulating benefits. Anise seeds are great in mouthwashes and tooth powders as well. A beneficial fragrance when creating perfumes or colognes. It can be infused in ticture oil, made into hydrosol, used as essential oil or added to water extracts.

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A simple BUSINESS idea: Herbal Toothpicks.

On August 1, 2015   /   Herbal Medicine and Health, Recipes   /   Comments Off on A simple BUSINESS idea: Herbal Toothpicks.

Find suitable containers to package your finished product in and if making big quantities, buy your toothpicks in bulk. Fill the glass container with enough toothpicks. Pour over your favorite pure essential oil to cover the toothpicks, cover and screw on the lid and leave for several days so the toothpicks can absorb the pure essential oil. Remove the toothpicks with tweezers and place to dry. Remaining essential oil may be re-used. When the toothpicks are completely dry, pack them in small airtight containers. Choices of pure essential oils to choose from: Peppermint Spearmint Mandarin Sweet Orange Fennel Anise Cinnamon Ti-Tree Clove Lime […]

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Very Easy Shaving Cream

On July 25, 2015   /   Natural Skincare and Beauty, Recipes   /   Comments Off on Very Easy Shaving Cream

You will need: 3 tbsp unrefined Organic Shea Butter 2 tbsp Organic Jojoba Oil 2 tbsp Organic Liquid Castile Soap 3 drops pure essential Oil of Tumeric 3 drops pure essential oil of Cedarwood Method: Melt the Shea butter gently in double boiler, then add Jojoba Oil and Liquid Castile Soap. Stir them all to combine and allow to cool, then add the essential oils. This will result in a silky liquid cream that is very, very gentle on skin. *All ingredients are available at our store.

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Colloidals for skin rejuvenation

On July 25, 2015   /   Featured Product, Natural Skincare and Beauty   /   Comments Off on Colloidals for skin rejuvenation

We now carry colloidal silver, colloidal copper and colloidal gold to assist in the rejuvenation and regeneration of skin cells. They are wonderful to add to toners and moisturisers along with eye products. Colloidal Copper and Gold are: Powerfully anti-aging. Skin tightening – reducing fine lines and wrinkles. They show the depletion of Collagen and Elastin – especially with aging skin. Fights free radical damage, age spots and premature aging of the skin. Regenerating and anti-inflammatory. Stimulating and skin firming. *Available in our store.

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Ginger Footbath

On July 2, 2015   /   Recipes   /   Comments Off on Ginger Footbath

Use approximately half cup ginger powder mixed to a paste and placed in a foot bath with water as hot as is comfortable. Water must be up to the ankles and kept at a comfortably hot temperature for at least 30 minutes. Top up with a jug of hot water to maintain this. Freshly grated ginger may also be used but would need to be simmered for around an hour on the stove top before using as a foot bath. Ginger is a powerful anti-inflammatory, well researched and documented in studies on people with swollen arthritic joints where it was […]

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Ice Cream’s Evolution: From Milk & Eggs To Antifreeze & Rubber Cement

On June 25, 2015   /   Herbal Medicine and Health   /   Comments Off on Ice Cream’s Evolution: From Milk & Eggs To Antifreeze & Rubber Cement

Years ago, ice cream was made simply of eggs, milk, and sugar, and you had to crank it by hand in the old-fashioned ice cream makers. It took so long to make that a scoop or two was an occasional family treat and didn’t do much harm. Today, though, in this age of mass production, synthetics, and substitutes, ice cream is another matter entirely. The next time you are tempted by a luscious looking sundae, banana split, or ice cream soda, just think of it as a lump of cold, sweetened fat, laced with a mixture of antifreeze, paint remover, […]

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