New Zealand's natives and Rongoa Maori herbs/extracts/actives

Kawakawa’s pretty heart-shaped leaves make it an easy bush to recognise when you're out for a hike in our beautiful New Zealand native bush. It grows in coastal and lowland bush throughout the North Island and parts of the South Island.

Kawakawa is a favourite in Rongoā Māori (traditional Maori healing framework) and with good reason;
The plant is known to contain a number of phytochemicals that are very useful where healing and anti-inflammatory requirements are desired: Myristicin, related to the antiseptic eugenol, is thought to help relieve pain. Other compounds in Kawakawa plant include elemicin and diayangambin. Both are beneficial in the treatment of wounds and skin, reducing inflammation and calming down the immune response. Kawakawa also contains lignans which act as powerful anti-oxidants that act as free radical scavengers.

Our Kawakawa infusion is locally wild-grown and harvested and infused in oil. 

(a recent Jan. 2023 publication) University of Auckland researchers have found more than 60 biologically active compounds in kawakawa leaves; ”The most abundant compound, of more than 60 that we found, was pellitorine, which has numbing effects on the body and could explain its use for pain relief in rongoā Māori,” Dr Pook says."

Mānuka - loved by bees and mankind alike, it is arguably one of our most well-known natives in the country. It grows from Cape Reinga, the very top of the North Island, to as far south as Steward Island. Although they are the same species, depending on the region they are grown in they produce different chemical make up - We like to use a specific Mānuka known for its high trikitone-content to achieve the best results we can.

Manuka's benefits are seriously impressive! It contains a large number of beneficial botanical compounds. For our goals the triketones in Manuka stood out as they have shown to be effective against bacter ia such as staph, strep and MRSA and more. Manuka also known to exhibit higher activity (25-45 times more) than Australian tea tree oil against these bacteria.

(Orchard et al., 2017; Alnaimat et al., 2015)(Harkenthal et al.,1999; Christoph et al., 2000).

​

While the benefits from Manuka are plentyful, the list is just too long to include here.  

​

Other ingredients (in alphabetical order)

​

Aloe Vera - grows wild in tropical and subtropical territories, and is spread almost throughout the world. Among more than 400 species of Aloe, Aloe vera (L.) Burm. f. is the most popular species in the research field, with Aloe vera extracts widely used in a variety of dermatological products. Aloe vera has been historically used in folk medicine for over 2000 years and has remained an important component in the traditional medicine of many contemporary cultures.
Aloe Vera is known to contain a phytochemical called Aloverose – also known as Acemannan. This widely studied chemical exhibits antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and wound healing properties.
Our Aloe infused oil uses New Zealand grown organic Aloe Vera.

​

​

Hemp oil (non-medicinal) - pressed in NZ, contains GLA (an Omega 6 fatty acid) that the body can convert to a substance called DGLA that fights inflammation. Omega 3+6, also help with improving the skin barrier and help reduce water loss (TEWL) through the skin.
 

Lecithin (sunflower derived) is a so-called a phospholipid, these naturally occur in the human body. One of its functions is that they are hygroscopic - meaning they attract water from the environment and hold it where hydration is needed. This means that lecithin lends a moisturizing capacity, conributing to increased moisture content in the skin.

​​

Mango butter, extracted from the seed of this vit C rich fruit, is a great moisturizer and emollient. Emollients form a protective film on the skin to lock in moisture and reduce TEWL (trans epidermal water loss). Emollients are often used to help manage dry, itchy or scaly skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis and ichthyosis. Omega 9 in Mango helps improve skin flexibility. 
Arachic acid, said to be present in Mango, is naturally part of lipids in our skin where they can contribute to wound healing process.

Oregano is appreciated by chefs and homecooks alike. On a skincare level, it is known to contain both thymol and carvacrol. These constituents are known to provide strong anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties.

Peppermint is said to have analgesic, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-septic properties. ​ It also naturally contains menthol which is said to have a cooling effect as well as offer a fresh scent to our olfactory.

​​

Rose Geranium

In terms of wounds, the essential oil of this attractive flower is said to offer anti bacterial, anti inflammatory, anti septic and insect repelling properties and may balance the skin's sebum (natural skin oil). While on the aroma side of it, it is relaxing and refreshing.

​​

Rice bran wax is an excellent vegan alternative to bees wax. It performs the exact same role in increasing the product's heat resistance and has the same function as being a great emollient for the skin (reducing water loss and containing moisture levels in the skin) but without the 'tack' that bees wax can have. 

Tamanu, a botanical powerhouse that grows around the Pacific basin, produces a beautiful deep green oil that is responsible for Care + R'pair's greenish hue with its own characteristic scent. It has been traditionally used for healing purposes for centuries. Today we know that Tamanu oil contains calophyllolide, a well studied compound suggested to be a non-steroidal anti-inflamatory agent similar to that of  hydrocortisone. Per that same 2018 study, this molecule was also shown to be an integral part of the oil's wound-healing abilities. 

A 2016 study suggests it promotes cell proliferation and the production of collagen and glycosaminoglycans. (Also known as GAGs, the latter are polysaccharides that are essential for creating and maintaining healthy collagen and elastin). More collagen and more GAGs help both with wound healing (it's what makes tamanu oil a good option for healing scars) as well as smoothing fine lines and wrinkles..
Its characteristic scent contributes an earthy/nutty scent. 
[Raharivelomanana P, Ansel J-L, Lupo E, et al. Tamanu Oil and Skin Active Properties: From Traditional to Modern Cosmetic Uses. OCL. 2018;25(5). doi:10.1051/ocl/2018048
[ Ansel JL, Lupo E, Mijouin L, et al. Biological activity of Polynesian Calophyllum inophyllum oil extract on human skin cells. Planta Med. 2016;82(11-12):961-966. doi:10.1055/s-0042-108205]

*** NUT ALLERGIES: Tamanu oil is extracted from the tree's seeds, that technically qualify as nuts! That aside, and barring an actual allergy, it is considered GRASS (generally regarded as safe ).***

​

Vit E/Tocopherol – is a powerful antioxidant (i.e. NOT a preservative!) and is found naturally present in many different plant oils and throughout the human body. In skincare products, depending on the kind of vit.E used, it can serve a double purpose;
Alpha-tocopherol acts as a free radical scavenger in the skin tissue, whilst delta- and gamma-tocopherols act as anti-oxidants to inhibit rancidity in oils and fats and protect the product itself.
These forms of tocopherol can be either natural or synthetic forms.

Valuing both the care of your skin and our products, SENZ Botanicals has opted to include natural forms of mixed vit E in its products.

​