Weleda
Weleda was first established in Switzerland in 1921 by renowned philosopher Rudolf Steiner and medical doctor Ita Wegman to provide healthcare.
It was based on the theories of anthroposophy which views the health of the body in a slightly different way to conventional medicine.
Whereas conventional medicine primarily addresses the physical aspects of illness, destroying disease or suppressing symptoms, anthroposophic medicine approaches ill health holistically, the focus being to stimulate our own natural ability to heal, restoring the balance of bodily functions and strengthening our immune system or life force.
It complements conventional medicine and the two are often used side by side.
Since then, Weleda has used its extensive knowledge in the healthcare arena to create a natural line of skin and body care products.
Natural Skin Care
Right from the beginning, Weleda made a conscious decision to avoid artificial ingredients and use only raw materials from the natural world and this has never changed.
The starting point for manufacturing is to begin with the very finest and purest raw materials. To preserve the integrity and natural therapeutic properties of the ingredients, processing is kept to an absolute minimum – they use unbleached beeswax for example, and raw cane sugar.
The body care products are sensibly composed and are particularly gentle to the skin, containing no synthetic preserving agents, colouring or flavouring.
Most bear the BDIH kite mark (certified natural cosmetic) so you can tell at a glance the product is genuinely natural.
These choices are based on Weleda's belief that our skin is a living part of us and can absorb what we put on it. If we use products with synthetic ingredients, these chemicals can not only irritate our skin on the outside, but over time may also contribute to the cumulative build up of chemicals in our system because our bodies can find it extremely difficult to get rid of them.
Organic & Biodynamic
Wherever possible, Weleda use biodynamic or organic ingredients, often grown on their own farms.
Biodynamic agriculture goes a step beyond organic agriculture. It not only avoids the use of harmful insecticides and pesticides, it also takes into account the seasons and the rhythms of the planets.
Crops are planted or harvested at the optimum time and the soil is enriched and revitalised with Biodynamic preparations and natural fertilisers, so plants have a strong inherent life-force and a more potent effect when used in health products.
Weleda UK grow over 300 species at their Derbyshire herb gardens, which have been awarded the acclaimed Demeter standard (certified biodynamic).
Any additional biodynamic or organic plants needed are obtained from other parts of Weleda International.
Environmentally Friendly
Caring for the planet is at the very heart of what Weleda stand for.
They grow many of their own ingredients biodynamically, taking into account the impact this has on the surrounding natural habitat.
They developed their 15-acre herb gardens in Derbyshire with the advice of the local Wildlife Trust to protect the biodiversity.
This conscious awareness is ingrained in all Weleda thinking right down to the low-energy recyclable packaging they choose.
Where Weleda use wild ingredients, such as rose hips of Rosa mosqueta that grow in abundance at the foothills of the Andes, these are gathered by controlled certified collection. This ensures that the natural habitat is not damaged or exhausted. The local community is equally protected by fair trade. Where ingredients are grown for Weleda, the company works with local farmers, helping them to convert their conventional farms into sustainable organic culture.
Through these fair trade agreements, Weleda offers economic and social support to these communities. People are just as important to Weleda quality as the use of healthy organic plants. It is a vital part of the Weleda ethos to take responsibility both for the environment and their co-workers in this way.