Green Gold: Unveiling the Secrets of Harvesting and Processing
In this blog, I will unveil my secrets (but not all the secrets 😜) to harvesting and processing Kawakawa.
Discover how I incorporate this potent herbal ingredient into all of my skincare products. Read More…
INCI:Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil (And) Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract Part of the plant used: Leaves
Properties: Rosemary antioxidant is a natural antioxidant from rosemary in a sunflower carrier oil. Rosemary antioxidant slows the oxidation of fats and oils, extending the shelf life.
Properties: Certified organic lip balm flavour made using organic oils and all-natural flavour ingredients. Raspberry flavour oil has a sweet scent and taste.
INCI:Olea europaea Part of the plant used: Fruit Extraction Method: Cold pressed, unrefined Origin: Australia
Properties: Light flavour and scent. Olive Oil contains large amounts of antioxidants that help fight diseases, it is an anti-inflammatory and has antibacterial properties.
It is high in monounsaturated fatty acids that make it perfect for restoring and moisturising the skin.
INCI:Rubia tinctorum root Part of the plant used: Root Extraction Method: Dried and ground
Properties: It has been used for centuries as a dye for textiles and cosmetics, offering colours ranging from light pink through deep red to mauve. Dispersed in Sweet Almond Oil makes red colour.
Properties: Lye in the form of Caustic Soda/Sodium Hydroxide is used in Kawakawa Soap.
Lye converts fats and oils into soap. Through the soap cooking process, all of the lye is cooked out of the soap, leaving you with a lovely block of Kawakawa Soap.
Properties: Lavender Fragrance Oil is infused with natural essential oils including lavender. This fragrance oil has a combined scent of lavender, bergamot, and cedar to give the Kawakawa Lavender Bath Bombs a lovely floral classic lavender scent.
INCI:Phormium tenax (harakeke) seeds Part of the plant used: Seeds Extraction Method: This is a by-product of making Harakeke Milk. Made in house by Kara Kawa Origin: Tasman, New Zealand
INCI:Phormium tenax (harakeke seed) milk Part of the plant used: Seeds Extraction Method: Soaked in distilled water, then blended and strained in house by Kara Kawa Origin: Tasman, New Zealand
Properties: Replaces the water part of the soap making process.
INCI:Phormium tenax (and) prunus amygdalus dulcis (harakeke seed pods infused sweet almond) oil Part of the plant used: Seed Pods Extraction Method: Infused in house by Kara Kawa Origin: Tasman, New Zealand
Properties: Antiseptic, can heal burns, disinfectant. Has a very dark orange colour to it.
Properties: High in magnesium. Epsom Salts help to soothe muscles, aches, pains, and inflammation. Epsom Salts are high in magnesium sulphate, therefore, are a great source of magnesium.
INCI:Coffea arabica seed extract Part of the plant used: Whole ground beans Extraction Method: Strong black plunger coffee brewed in house by Kara Kawa Origin: Tasman, New Zealand
Properties: Makes a great pH adjuster. It is a great antioxidant and is used in many food products to extend their shelf life and stop oxidation.
Used In:Bath Bombs with Baking Soda to create the Fizz.
Chlorophyll
What is it made from: Chlorophyll is the green pigment naturally found in plants.
Properties: Helps to heal damaged skin, neutralise toxins, and reduce inflammation and bacterial growth.
Makes soap greener and helps it retain its colour.
Properties: Aluminium Free, food-grade. Softens the skin and the bathwater, making it feel silky.
As a deodorizer, it also helps to draw the moisture away from the skin.
Properties: Polysorbate 80 is a stable non-toxic surfactant used in Kawakawa Lavender Bath Bombs to emulsify the oils with the bathwater.
This product helps the oils mix into the bathwater rather than sitting on the top. It also makes clean up easy, leaving no oily residue or ring around the bath.
INCI:Butyrospermum parkii Part of the plant used: Nut/Seed Extraction Method: Naturally expeller-pressed Origin: Africa – Fair Trade
Properties: Shea Butter is obtained from the seeds of the Karite tree common in several African countries.
This product has been sustainably produced from only certified organic plantations.
Shea Butter is naturally rich in vitamins A, E, and F, and has an SPF-6.
High in fatty acids, Shea Butter can protect, nourish, and prevent the skin from drying.
The anti-inflammatory properties of Shea butter reduce inflammation and swelling.
Prolonged use of Shea Butter can soften, strengthen, and reduce wrinkles in the skin.
Properties: Certified organic lip balm flavour made using organic oils and all-natural flavour ingredients.
Vanilla flavour oil has a sweet scent and taste.
INCI:Cocos nucifera Part of the plant used: Kernel Extraction Method: Cold pressed and naturally refined using clay Origin: Pacific Islands, refined in New Zealand
Properties: Ethically sourced – This coconut oil is 100% Pure & Natural Pacific Island oil that has been Clay filter refined in New Zealand.
Coconut Oil is rich in short and medium-chain fatty acids as well as being antibacterial, antiviral, antimicrobial, and antifungal, so is good for many health conditions and has excellent healing properties.
INCI:Simmondsia chinensis Part of the plant used: Kernel Extraction Method: Cold pressed Origin: Argentina
Properties: Jojoba is pronounced “Hoh Hoh Buh”
The Jojoba tree is a native shrub to South America. Jojoba oil is actually a liquid wax and not an oil at all.
Jojoba Oil carries natural antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, hypoallergenic, and analgesic qualities.
Jojoba Oil easily penetrates the skin and helps to reduce water loss by forming a protective film.
It moisturises, revitalises, soothes, and regenerates the skin.
It is used to treat burns, sores, wounds, and many other things. Jojoba Oil is high in vitamins A, D, and E, and minerals and proteins.
INCI:Cera alba Extraction Method: Natural Unrefined Origin: Tasman, New Zealand
Properties: Beeswax has antibacterial properties helping keep things clean and reducing risks of contamination.
It also helps relieve dry itching skin or sensitive skin.
Because beeswax is anti-allergenic, it is also easily tolerated by even those with reactive skin.
Used to keep products solid at room temperature.
INCI:Macropiper excelsum (kawakawa) hydrosol Extraction Method: Steam Distilled in house by Kara Kawa Origin: Tasman, New Zealand
Properties: Kawakawa leaves are picked, washed, and then distilled in a pot still. The water/steam that is extracted has a wonderful rich Kawakawa scent to it.
Plant hydrosols are also known as distilled water, essential waters, hydrolates, herbal waters, and plant waters.
Kawakawa Hydrosol is a distilled Kawakawa water that contains all the properties of fresh Kawakawa leaves.
INCI:Macropiper excelsum (and) prunus amygdalus dulcis (kawakawa infused sweet almond) oil Extraction Method: Infused in house by Kara Kawa Origin: Tasman, New Zealand
INCI:Macropiper excelsum (and) cocos nucifera (kawakawa infused coconut) oil Extraction Method: Infused in house by Kara Kawa Origin: Tasman, New Zealand
Properties: All of the properties of Kawakawa plus the properties of Coconut Oil.
INCI:Prunus amygdalus dulcis Part of the plant used: Kernel Extraction Method: Cold pressed
Properties: Rich in Vitamin E, monounsaturated fatty acids, proteins, potassium, zinc, B-complex vitamins, and iron.
A renowned emollient, almond oil also helps to balance moisture loss.
This is a light oil that can easily penetrate the skin and is safe for use on sensitive skin.
Sweet Almond Oil rejuvenates tired muscles, reduces fine lines and signs of aging, relieves eczema, psoriasis, skin rashes, nappy rash, chafed skin, and contact dermatitis.
Protects the skin by reducing the deterioration and increasing the formation of collagen, it can also help to repair some of the damage done to collagen.
Makes a good carrier oil for dispersing powders in soap.
Used In: All Kara Kawa Soaps.
Used as a carrier oil for Alkanet and Madder Root Powders.
Infused with Harakeke seed pods for Harakeke Soap.
In Body Butter.
Infused with Kawakawa leaves to make Kawakawa Intense Treatment Oil.
Kawakawa Powder
Origin: Tasman, New Zealand
The Process: Kawakawa leaves are picked, washed, and then dried in a food dehydrator.
Once dry the Kawakawa leaves are then ground into a fine powder.
Properties: Contains all of the properties of Kawakawa.