Founded by Rudolf Steiner Anthroposophy was founded by the philosopher and natural scientist Rudolf Steiner, together with like-minded colleagues. The research method has influenced other disciplines including education, architecture, art and medicine and its impact can still be witnessed every day at Weleda. It’s a worldwide research method, with European roots, that explores spirituality with science. It offers ways to better understand the laws of humans and how to act accordingly, giving formulas and suggested actions for various areas in life. From scientific thinking to spiritual experience In contrast to the thinking of the day in academic and university circles, Steiner used the word anthroposophy to refer to the investigation of the spiritual realm through scientific and spiritual experience, and it was this to which he devoted his work. Anthroposophy takes its starting point from exact scientific thinking. The precise research methods that are otherwise limited to the world of matter are then extended to the spiritual through science. Anthroposophy can be described as follows: Humans understand the world through their senses and the processes of their minds – the knowledge of these findings is then called anthropology. Anthroposophy extended this approach to spiritual level, because humans can also perceive their environment with feelings and thoughts. Steiner called anthroposophy ‘the wisdom of man’, because in Greek anthropos means man and sophia wisdom. Steiner went on to found the General Anthroposophical Society in 1923, whose mission remains to maintain a free cultural and intellectual life, and to promote research into the spiritual realm. For the spiritual research the School of Spiritual Science was established in Dornach, only a few kilometres away from today’s Weleda headquarters in Arlesheim. The architecturally remarkable home of the school is called the Goetheanum. It’s a centre for anthroposophy – designed by Rudolf Steiner himself – which includes two performance halls seating 1500, a gallery, lecture rooms, a library, bookstore, and administrative spaces for the Anthroposophical Society. Conferences on themes of general interest continue to take place here several times a year. The influence of anthroposophy on Weleda The goal of anthroposophy is the development of the whole human being. Today it has branches in many areas including education, architecture, art, medicine and agriculture. At Steiner’s instigation the Waldorf schools – also called Steiner schools and kindergartens – anthroposophic medicine, natural body care products and biodynamic farming emerged. All of these disciplines are still integral to the Weleda of today. Whether it be in the manufacturing of our medicinal products and natural cosmetics, or in our dealings with partners, suppliers and employees, we always see humans, society and nature as a holistic whole, bound together by the relationship between our daily
We strive to continuously improve our packaging
Why do we use plastic packaging? Because so far, there’s no perfect solution for all our products. But we are working hard to make our packaging even better, to reduce its impact on the environment. Why we package our products A face cream should feel good, smell good and have long-lasting effects. But satisfying all those requirements isn’t that simple. That’s because we deliberately refrain from using synthetic preservatives. And we mainly use natural ingredients such as pure plant oils and essential oils, which are highly sensitive, especially to oxygen. Adequate packaging ensures that the oils are not exposed to oxygen, which would cause them to become rancid. It also prevents the evaporation of volatile substances, such as natural fragrances. Less bad is not really good We are constantly working to improve the ecological sustainability of our packaging. In an ideal world, our packaging would be 100 percent compostable while providing our products with optimal protection. Currently we use different materials depending on the product requirements, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Through the package recycling initiative “Forum Rezyklat” we have joined forces with other companies to investigate how plastics from household waste can be recycled into food and skincare packaging. >> For a beautiful and healthy world, we must act sustainably. << What types of packaging do we use? Weleda uses a variety of materials for its packaging. Approximately 60 percent is made of glass, 15 percent of aluminium and the rest of our packaging is made of different plastics. Our packaging has to do a lot in order to protect its sensitive contents. Glass, aluminium and plastic – each packaging material has its advantages and disadvantages, which have to be weighed against each other for each individual product. Recycled glass Advantages Disadvantages Plastic Advantages Disadvantages Aluminium Advantages Disadvantages What we have achieved so far Skin Food Body Butter is now available in a glass jar. We have increased the proportion of recycled plastic in the packaging of our deodorants. Many of our other products also come in packaging with a high proportion of recycled plastic. For example, our Weleda Calendula Baby Oil now comes in a bottle made of 97percent recycled plastic (excluding cap and label).
Oskar Schmiedel
A self-assured man who initiated the production of anthroposophic pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. Dr. Oskar Schmiedel (30 October 1887 – 27 December 1959) was a pharmacist, anthroposophist, therapist, Goethean scientist and theosophist. He studied chemistry at Munich University and then joined the Theosophical Society. In 1907, after hearing a lecture by Rudolf Steiner, he became his personal pupil and in 1912 he founded the chemical-theosophic laboratory, where plant colours were researched in an anthroposphic way. He started his own laboratory in 1913, principally to produce cosmetic products. Production of the first anthroposophic medicines Soon afterwards Schmiedel was asked by Rudolf Steiner to relocate his laboratory to Dornach. From a primitive shed on the site, he helped with the decoration of the first Goetheanum, but at the same time he had already started to produce his own anthroposphic medicines. From 1919, the intensive production of remedies started, first with the help of Dr. Ita Wegmann and later with the help of Dr. Ludwig Noll (1872 – 1930), together with whom he created a whole range of supplements. Director of Weleda for 35 years In 1922 Schmiedel became responsible for the research and manufacturing department of Weleda and, in 1924, he became director of the whole company, an arrangement which lasted until his death in 1959. Oskar Schmiedel is still known today as an exemplary pharmaceutical pioneer. It was he who founded the anthroposophic laboratory and started the production of cosmetic and pharmaceutical products. It was he, too, who asked Rudolf Steiner to hold a medical course for doctors – an action which more than any other started the ball of anthroposophic medicine rolling.
Rudolf Steiner
The spiritual and philosophical founder of Weleda. Rudolf Joseph Lorenz Steiner (25/27 February 1861 – 30 March 1925) was born in modern-day Croatia, but moved with his parents to Austria when a baby. His father was a railway telegraph operator of strong opinions, and Rudolf received his early education in village schools and at home. Receptive to ideas on the spiritual and physical worlds, he gained a doctorate in philosophy from the University of Rostock, before which he had already published extensively on literature and philosophy – his works included The Philosophy of Freedom and The Theory of Knowledge Implicit in Goethe’s World-Conception. At the beginning of the twentieth century he founded a spiritual movement, anthroposophy. It has roots in German idealist philosophy and theosophy, which encourages the individual to see his or her body, mind and spirit as intrinsically linked to our world – all part of one holistic system. From philosophy to science and spirituality In the first, more philosophically oriented phase of this movement, Steiner attempted to find a synthesis between science and spirituality. His philosophical work of these years, which he termed spiritual science, sought to apply the clarity of thinking characteristic of Western philosophy to spiritual questions. In a second phase, around 1907, he worked in a variety of fields including artistic media such as drama and the movement arts, in which he developed a new artistic form, eurythmy. His architectural work culminated in the building of the Goetheanum, a cultural centre to house all arts. In the third phase of his work, Steiner worked to establish various practical endeavours, including Waldorf education, biodynamic agriculture, and anthroposophical medicine. A new approach to medicine From the late 1910s onwards, Steiner started working with medical doctors and chemists to create a new approach to medicine. In 1921, the doctor Ita Wegman, the chemist Oskar Schmiedel and physicians and pharmacists gathered under Steiner’s guidance to determine just how they might use this philosophy to care for patients’ needs. They understood that a human body has a remarkable ability to heal itself, but that it also sometimes needs a little help, so they developed a personal approach to health-care using natural ingredients to support the body’s own healing impulse. With this belief and a profound depth of scientific and philosophical knowledge they founded Weleda. Great influence on Weleda The importance of Steiner and his wholly original thinking is pivotal for Weleda. Even though he held no executive posts, he and Dr Ita Wegman were part of the so-called Kontrollstelle, a comprehensive advisory group underpinning the company. He was also responsible for the company name and for the logo, which he designed himself. Above all, Rudolf Steiner was most influential for Weleda’s intellectual and spiritual foundations. His was the vision of a new healing process, following it through from the anthropological prerequisites to concrete remedy and medicine production.
Dr Ita Wegmann
Ita Wegman – Portrait of a remarkable woman Ita Wegman – Portrait of a remarkable woman “THE NATURAL WORLD IS CHANGING, AND IT ASKS US: DO WE WANT TO TRANSFORM OUR THINKING?” – Dr Ita Wegman Born in 1876, Dr Ita Wegman was the vivacious daughter of a Dutch colonial family living in West Java (now Indonesia), and an extraordinary woman whose legacy extends far beyond her time. She came to Holland and Germany at the turn of the century to study massage and physiotherapy, before relocating to Switzerland in 1906 to study medicine at Zurich University at a time when very few women were being admitted to medical school. She went on to specialise in women’s health and gynaecology, opening her own medical practice in Zurich in 1912, and at the age of 45 she opened a pioneering new clinic in Arlesheim, Switzerland, in collaboration with Rudolf Steiner. A number of other doctors joined her and the clinic grew steadily as the first centre for anthroposophic medicine.In 1921, like a young start-up business, Ita Wegman and a small group of progressive scientists founded Weleda, inspired by the vision of Rudolf Steiner whose holistic mind-body-spirit approach to healthcare continues to shape Weleda’s range today. Ita Wegman was joined by Austrian pharmacist Oskar Schmiedel (age 34) and his wife Thekla (35), a fellow chemist, who had started their own laboratory in 1913 chiefly to produce cosmetic products using botanicals. Thekla Schmiedel was clearly also a very capable woman, taking over the running of the laboratory at certain periods. The couple developed colour pigments from plants which were used to paint the Goetheanum, the anthroposophic research centre at Dornach which was co-founded by Ita Wegman who herself went on to become director of the Medical Section there. Together the team formed the company that became Weleda, manufacturing the health and wellbeing products that were needed by the clinic in Arlesheim. Steiner was nearing the end of his life when Weleda was founded (he died in 1925), but his wisdom and experience gave the young company both standing and impetus, so Weleda was able to expand internationally. By the end of the 1920s, thanks to Ita Wegman’s visionary approach and practical business acumen, six further Weleda companies had been established around the world including the UK in 1925. Even 100 years ago, Weleda was being shaped by emancipated and forward-thinking women. Ita Wegman’s passionate and progressive ideas and actions have resonated far beyond her own lifetime. With her warm nature and down to earth approach, she contributed to the women’s movement of the early 20th century in her own way. She was a creative, courageous and determined woman, an exceptional doctor, and demonstrated a strong sense of collegial leadership. She always had a keen interest in how the world was developing, and her humanitarian nature is revealed through the many letters she wrote to patients, colleagues and social workers. She had a special love for children, and in 1922 she established a therapeutic home for children with developmental disabilities and special needs, Sonnenhof. It was not only young people who were close to her heart, but also the so-called fringe groups of society of the time, who were persecuted or threatened. From 1933, this was mainly the Jewish people. She saved many lives by helping people to escape from Germany. She was a true cosmopolitan, with friendships and working relationships in countless countries. Following the early death of her fiancé, she never married or had family of her own, but she immersed herself in working with children at work, and surrounded herself with friends and colleagues from the medical community. She was tirelessly committed to her work, exploring ways in which nature could benefit health and wellbeing for all. Ita Wegman lived during a time of great change, and she herself brought about great changes within her sphere of influence. It is thanks to Ita Wegman that the principle of working in harmony with people and nature has guided Weleda since 1921. Her hospital, Arlesheim Clinic continues to thrive today and Weleda continues to be partially owned by this non-profit organisation. A man with a vision The spiritual and philosophical founder of Weleda. His was the vision of a new healing process, following it through from the anthropological prerequisites to concrete remedy and medicine production. Director of Weleda for 35 years The initiator of the production of anthroposophic pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. A worldwide research method Anthroposophy was founded by the philosopher and natural scientist Rudolf Steiner, together with like-minded colleagues. Its impact can still be witnessed every day at Weleda.
We unfold health and beauty in harmony with nature and the human being
We humans are connected to one another and are part of nature. That is why we have a responsibility to each other and to the environment. We have formulated six guiding principles based on our values and principles. 1. Holistic We think, feel and act holistically We always look at the big picture and strive to understand things in all their diversity. We take a mindful approach towards ourselves and our surroundings. Our actions are deliberate and we consider their impact on the world. We are open and inspired by new and visionary ideas. 2. Responsibility We are role models and take responsibility for our actions We take responsibility for our actions. This includes cultivating long-standing partnerships. We are aware of the impact of our actions and embrace our role as pioneers and trendsetters. We see ourselves as role models: for you and for society. 3. Trust We create trust through transparency and honesty Your trust is important to us. That is why it is important for us that what we embody on the outside, we also live and implement on the inside. Our communication is open, honest and mindful. We strive for the greatest possible transparency and accept responsibility for errors. Our partnerships and collaborations are clear, authentic and fair. >> Unfolding health and beauty in harmony with nature and the human being – that is our goal. << 4. Economic sustainability We operate in a healthy and efficient manner, because economic success makes many things possible We pay attention to our profitability. This ensures our financial independence and economic sustainability. For us, good business management means that profitability is not the goal in itself, but a means to implement our corporate mission of “unfolding health and beauty in harmony with nature and the human being” and to remain innovative. Being efficient as a company ensures that we have the necessary means to create value for society. Having a profitable business enables us to do even more good for people and nature. 5. Open-minded We uphold the pioneering spirit of Weleda and are open to new ideas Like our founders 100 years ago, we intend to continue fulfilling our role as pioneers. By this we mean being creative, passionate about new ideas, and actively seeking the best solutions. In doing so, we are helping to shape change and give space to as many bold ideas as possible. We work ceaselessly to do many things better and value the power of diversity. 6. Inspiration We inspire people for the power of nature We are part of nature, and nature is a wonderful role model. For 100 years we have been harnessing the power of nature in our products to help support natural wellbeing and vitality. Through the cultivation of our raw materials according to biodynamic farming principles, we nurture healthy soils and help preserve biodiversity. And because we find deep meaning in our work, we love what we do.
