Beauty from bronchitis
The Herb Farm was launched in the 1990s after Lynn Kirkland went in search of herbal methods of relief for her son. Uma Ahmed reports.
When Lynn Kirkland started her skincare company, her son was suffering from chronic bronchitis. Nothing seemed to stop it from returning.
‘‘Mum says the pivotal turning point for her was when she went back again to the doctor and said: what else can we do, because this isn’t working; and the doctor shrugged his shoulders and said: I don’t know,’’ says Lynn’s daughter, The Herb Farm managing director Sarah Cowan.
‘‘She thought: that is not good enough. There must be something else. And she had always been interested in nature, so that was her first port of call. What can nature offer?’’
Kirkland began studying a herbal medicine diploma by correspondence, from the Australasian College of Herbal Studies.
She began selling home-made remedies. ‘‘Herbs really struck a chord [with her], they are so powerful in terms of their medicinal properties,’’ says Cowan. Kirkland dabbled with different kinds of creams and ointments, including a calendula cream which became a longstanding product.
(Calendula is said to have powerful healing properties. The cream can be used for dry-skin but can also be kept as a general first-aid treatment as its soothing properties help with grazes and cuts.)
The production process entails harvesting about 12 different herbs from the garden, which are then infused into herbal extracts which are used in the end product, combined with other raw ingredients.
Cowan says all Herb Farm products are extensively researched and developed by Kirkland who remains in charge of that side of the business.
Growing up with homemade chamomile compresses and other herbal remedies, Cowan started to learn from her mother.
Her favourite herb is comfrey (common name knitbone), known for its speedy healing properties. Cowan remembers tending to their horses by wrapping comfrey leaves from the garden around their legs when they had strained tendons.
Cowan and Kirkland made it their mission to make their Ashhurst property, a 6-hectare section, a destination for people to be enticed to stay. Each season brings in different activities for visitors to partake in. Summer was full of concerts on Fridays and Saturdays. Herbs are everywhere. The cafe’s water carafe is filled with Mexican marigolds for flavour.
Visiting The Herb Farm’s Ashhurst factory, garden and shop is a trip for the senses, and customers can participate in hands-on workshops.
Cowan took over the business after an international modelling career. While modelling overseas, Cowan began paying attention to the skincare industry. ‘‘And mum would send me my Herb Farm products from home and people would show an interest in them. I think back then the natural sort of industry was just starting to really get some traction and an interest.’’
The Herb Farm has extended to international markets including Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia and e-commerce for China. Distributing their products in China would require animal testing. ‘‘So, we won’t do that of course.’’
They have plans to dip their toes into the tough Australian skincare industry this year.
Environmental sustainability
is also at the forefront of their minds. Their products are mostly sold in glass packaging and they plan to introduce aluminium lids soon.
‘‘I think what Lynn started the business with, the values, almost 30 years ago are now very much in trend,’’ Cowan says.
‘‘The challenge for us is that we don’t want to make changes that are based on the marketing face value of that change.
‘‘It actually has to be more eco-friendly – not just appear that way.’’
The Herb Farm is open every day from 10am, at 86 Grove Rd, Kelvin Grove, Ashhurst.