Using natural products is always preferable to using harsh chemicals to soothe already sensitive skin and Michael Lynch, of OrlDen Herbal Products in Warrenpoint, Co Down, in Northern Ireland, has taken this a step further by educating himself enough to create herbal creams and lotions which can be used on livestock, pets and humans alike.

 

 

 

 

Originally working with another herbal products company, which combined chemical and natural ingredients, Michael set up his own business based on purely natural inputs.

With a science degree behind him, Michael started to search the internet, and utilised knowledge garnered whilst meeting people with dry skin conditions, he formulated OrlDen moisturiser. Based on 14 nut oils and plant extracts including tea tree, lavender, aloe vera, shea butter, rosehip oil, green tea extract, it’s a complicated recipe.

His first case was a chap suffering from severe dry skin and hacks the length of his fingers. Visits to four different doctors over a two-year period, and using steroids and other creams without success, his boss actually asked Michael for a sample in an attempt to help.

Sure enough, within weeks his hands were back to normal. And from this first successful formula, which has been used by nurses, hairdressers, farmers, builders and people with all sorts of problem skin, Michael has managed to create a successful business, which is built upon one testimonial after another.

Michael says: "OrlDen have a very simple philosophy, and that is to utilise only natural healthy ingredients to create totally natural products for your skin.

"There are no parabens, lauryl sulphates, PEGs, amines, mineral oils, lanolin, artificial fragrances or other harmful chemicals in our products.

"We get consistently brilliant feedback for the natural fresh fragrance, the soft smooth non-greasy skin feel, and the ingredient profile of our products. We are passionate about providing effective healthy options, the best possible service and value, which is why I think we continue to get repeat business."

OrlDen Herbal Products is very much a family concern. The growth in business has allowed Michael’s wife Geraldine to promote the cosmetic benefits of their products, the company name the name OrlDen is an amalgam of their children’s names.

The original herbal moisturiser is still their best seller, moisturising dry skin, rapidly soothing and healing hacks, split fingertips, or cracked heels. Many people have used it to clear acne or to treat dermatitis and rosaceae.

Indeed, a number of customers were previously using steroid creams but are gaining similiar or greater relief using OrlDen’s natural products.

Modifying the original formulation has led to the alternative Herbal Cream for livestock and OrlDen Cream Plus which contains no essential oils, making it suitable for dry skin conditions in small children, and the Herbal Lotion which is used by many for itchy scalp.

The herbal cream also has no harsh chemicals and can be used on both livestock and humans, it is designed to soothe and relieve wounds, itches and skin irritations, which are common to all.

Cattle, horses sheep, dogs, can be treated using this cream. Essential oils provide anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, antiseptic and insect repellent qualities which are combined with a therapeutic, soothing range of base oils suitable for mud fever, cracked heels, saddle burns in horses etc.

Dairy farmers recommend the herbal cream, as it has proved to be very effective against chapped or cracked teats, sores and inflammations etc.

One such farmer tried everything his vet could offer to heal a raw fungal sore on a cow’s teat over a three-month period without success, but using OrlDen Herbal Cream it was healed within three weeks.

It contains no antibiotics, therefore has no withdrawal requirement and is absorbed easily, meaning there is no greasy residue on teats, which has to be wiped away at the next milking or which debris can stick to.

A real benefit is that it keeps the teats supple, meaning that scabs don’t keep breaking off when the teat cup is applied, allowing the wound to heal properly.

Another farmer burned his hand with a calf dehorner 12 or more years ago. It never healed properly and, in July, when Michael met him, the soreness and dry fungal scabs across his hand led him to purchase a jar of herbal cream. By October, all the soreness and dry scabs are gone and only a tiny mark remains under his thumb.

Sunburn or photosensitization during the summer months, can also be treated using the herbal cream alone or with diluted cattle rinse to soothe and cleanse the affected areas..

Another product which has proved very useful around the farm is the cattle rinse.

This aims to promote healthy skins and coats of pedigree and commercial show cattle. The cattle rinse is a unique combination of many natural ingredients.

Essential oils combine to prevent dandruff and skin flakiness, keep the skin and coat healthy, relieve itching in bulls and promote hair growth.

Invariably this boosts performance as contented cattle achieve greater thrive. This proven formulation combine to nourish the hair follicles, stimulating hair growth, adding lustre and shine to crown your stock on show day.

Mange and ringworm also feature as a regular, unwanted visitor to farms across the country, and Michael has come up with a solution called OrlDen Hair oil. A new product to his range, it nourishes the coat and repel insects. Feedback suggest that ringworm scabs are falling off within 14 days after application of the hair oil.

Back to our own problems, the herbal cream can also be used as a very effective barrier cream for working hands, moisturising dry or rough hands, a brilliant relief for people suffering from eczema and psoriasis.

Having customers regularly come back to buy more of their creams is encouraging, but even more so is the constant stream of positive feedback and good news stories.

Recently, while at a local show, Michael was delighted to hear from a lady who was using the herbal Cream Plus on her two year old who had suffered from eczema since birth.

She had spent untold amounts of money on the condition, and was delighted to be seeing results, better still her child was actively looking for the cream before bedtime, as he liked the smell and texture.

Supplying agribusinesses and vets as well as direct sales to farmers, the creams and lotions are proving to have several uses around the home and farm.

The Cream Plus designed for small children is now used also as a ladies’ hand and facial moisturiser and an after shave moisturiser for gents. There is ongoing research into new facial products which should be available in the new year.

Updating customers on the benefits of using natural creams, is made all the easier these days using social media, and OrlDen Herbal Products have both a facebook page and a twitter account, allowing customers to let Michael know how they are getting on with the creams, what they use it on and what unusual conditions they have treated.

Sorting out the agri world’s dry skin conditions takes up most of his time, but Michael still finds time for his Beltex sheep.

His Castlemeadow flock has won many awards, including the Beltex National championship in the Republic of Ireland from 2006 to 2010, whilst a Castlemeadow ram sired the Beltex Breed Champion (Ardstewart Paparazzi) at the 2011 UK premier sale in Carlisle selling for 10,000gns proving he still has the touch when it comes to breeding good sheep.

 

　

• For full details on product selection, you can check out the websites at www.OrlDen.com or www.OrlDenLivestockProducts.com or you can contact Michael directly at michael.orlden@talktalk.net.

Twitter: @orldennaturals

Facebook: Orlden Herbal Products

All products can be bought online, and prices are competitive.