Behind the Ingredients

Kawakawa (Macropiper Elcelsum)

Kawakawa is a plant found in coastal New Zealand forests, and is a traditional Māori herbal medicine, known as Rongoā rākau. It is also known as the New Zealand pepper tree, as its leaves and seeds have a pungent bite, whilst its fruit is similar to passionfruit.

Kawakawa leaves were traditionally used to prepare medicinal teas, poultices, oils and balms to treat a range of ailments. These include inflammatory skin conditions, cuts, boils and abrasions, insect bites and stings, neuralgia and shingles, digestive distress, muscle and joint pain, bruising, and toothache.

In keeping with Māori principles, it is picked sustainably by hand and only a few leaves taken from each bush in order to not damage or harm the plant, and leave it in a healthy state. It is processed without any chemicals, and very gently to preserve the active ingredients. The final Kawakawa product used in our range is pure and nutrient dense.

Kawakawa (Macropiper Elcelsum), contains two very important chemicals in the treatment of skin and digestion. 

  • Myristicin is anti-inflammatory, removing toxic inflammatory chemicals from our cells, which is effective in the treatment of eczema, insect bites and swelling.
  • Diayangambin is an immunosuppressant. It is an effective for auto immune disorders, where the body's immune system attacks its own healthy cells, such as psoriasis and arthritis. 

Kawakawa's antimicrobial and analgesic properties also make it useful for treating skin infections.

Beeswax

Beeswax creates a protective layer on the skin. It's also a humectant, which means that it attracts water. These qualities attract water to your skin and help it stay hydrated. Beeswax is a natural preservative, adding a long life to our products without the need for man made preservatives.

We utilise dark beeswax from our on-site hives, which is higher in pollen and royal jelly than regular beeswax, and will often get additional colour from propolis.

Calendula

Calendua Oil

In the short term, the nourishing benefits of calendula help to plump the surface of your skin to give you tighter, more supple skin almost instantly. In the long term, both the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties help to protect your precious collagen and elastin supply. Calendula can decrease the pigment melanin found in skin to help brighten skin and reduce age spots.

Calendula has can be used to relieve many types of skin conditions that may cause dry, itchy, or irritated areas. It soothes skin experiences symptoms of eczema, dermatitis, and dandruff. By promoting the production of collagen, an essential protein for glowing skin, Calendula aids in sustaining soothed, hydrated skin.

Our Calendula is grown on-site and is converted to cold-pressed oils in small batches. Our seeds were sourced from Koru Kai herb farm on the Banks Peninsula of New Zealand.