Growing the Herbs

The process of making Shirley’s Herbal Care starts with growing our own herbs.

• The herbs are all home-grown on our mountain side farm.
  
• They are grown organically to the highest standard
  

Harvesting

Harvesting

• All our herbs are harvested by us by hand
• Some herbs are harvested in Spring when the new shoots  appear, such as  Blackberry, Birch leaf  and Eucalyptus
• Most of the herbs are harvested in the summer when they are in full bloom, for example Calendula, Chamomile and Mallow
• The rest of the herbs are harvested in autumn when their goodness has been stored in the roots, for example Comfrey and Echinacea

Drying the Herbs

• After picking, the herbs are laid out on drying racks
  
• Drying the herbs takes from 3 to 7 days
  
• They are then stored in sealed containers

Making the Extractions

Extractions:  All the herbs have active ingredients  which we transfer into a number of bases. This transfer is called an Extraction. The herb extraction is what makes our products so special.

Oil Extractions

• Herb oils are made from the flower petals flowers and leaves.
  
• The herb is placed into a jar and filled with organic sunflower oil and grapeseed oil.
  
• It then takes three to six weeks for the sun release the active principles from the herb into the oil.

Glycerine Extractions

• Herb Glycerines are made from flowers leaves and roots.
  
• The herb is put into glycerine and left in the dark for 3 weeks.
  
• The herb releases it’s active principles into the glycerine

Wax Extractions

• Herb wax extractions are made from flower, leaves and roots.
  
• The herb is put into a combination of beeswax, organic sunflower oil, lanolin, vaseline(petroleum jelly) and mineral oil.
• Though the process of heating and cooling over a number days the herbs release the active principles into the wax.

Infusions

• Herb Infusions are made from flowers and leaves.
  
• The herb is added to boiling water and left to steep for 15 Minutes.
  
• The active principles are released into the water