On our recent trip to Oribi Gorge, Kwazulu-Natal, in South Africa, I came across the most delightful farm stall. How many people can say that they have been welcomed by a scarecrow? 
What a delightful find! The entrance to the farm stall is welcoming and attractive.
Inside is just as fascinating - old trunks, teapots, plants, vases of bright yellow sunflowers and a range of homemade products.
What really interested me were the bottles of Macadamia Nut Oil, Tea Tree Oil and Organic Tea Tree Hydrosol. 
Oribi Gorge is a large sugarcane growing area, however, many of the local farmers are growing Macadamia nut trees - both for the edible nuts and the oil that is extracted from them. Macadamia nut oil is highly beneficial as it has a higher smoking point than olive oil, making it ideal for cooking at high temperatures when deep frying, roasting and even baking. The nutty flavour of the oil is ideal to use when making salad dressings and marinades. 
In this photo the small trees to the left of the entrance to the farm stall, are in fact tea trees. along with Macadamia trees the farmers are growing Tea Trees from which the Tea Tree Oil is distilled. This oil has many uses. It can be used for acne, rashes, insect bites and stings, on cold sores, soothing sunburn, helping with itchy scalp conditions, fungal infections and athletes foot. The Macadamia Nut Oil can be used as a carrier for the neat Tea Tree oil for massage purposes.
Nothing goes to waste. The tea tree hydrosol is what remains after the steam distilling process of tea tree. It is basically Tea Tree infused water. Like Tea Tree Oil the Tea Tree Hydrosol has many uses such as cleaning wounds and cuts, toner for acne skin or removing redness where the skin has been irritated; and for soothing sunburn and bug bites. It can be used to treat hotspots on dogs or cats and to freshen pets beds.
I am all for using natural products instead of chemical alternatives.
