Three decades ago the public's understanding of organic cosmetics like deodorant and shampoos was somewhat limited, says Loraine Falkingham Murry.

Names like Birch Elixir and the thought of a herbal toothpaste were practically unheard of.

Mrs Murry, wholesale sales manager, who has been with Weleda since 1979, said: "The biggest change since then has not been Weleda - it's what people want.

"When I first started, we were regarded as a little strange and people wondered what we got up to."

The 55-year-old added: "We were offering natural organic products and people didn't understand it.

"And by the mid-90s genetic modification was in the news and suddenly customers wanted certification that our products were GM free. We had to get thousands of products tested."

Weleda now boasts a 15-acre field site in Shipley, where some 300 types of plants are grown for the bodycare and medicines range.

Head gardener Michael Bate said: "We operate in a sustainable and self-sufficient way, typical of biodynamic agriculture.

"We take into account everything that will influence the growth of the plants, such as the effect of having trees, birds and insect life. We also take into account forces such as planetary rhythms that we believe play a part in healthy plant growth."

The gardeners at the Derbyshire herb garden are also responsible for making the tinctures used in the creation of Weleda medicines.

Mr Bate added: "Because we also make up the tinctures, we really do know about quality and all that goes into a product as we are digging up the plants, preparing them and turning them into tinctures.

"Having our tincture production facility based at the gardens means we can use the plants at their freshest to make the best quality products possible."

As a growing number of people become more conscious of products they are using, the market seems to have become saturated with natural products.

But Mrs Murry says the Weleda range is not as expensive and in fact customers have questioned if they should cost more.

Mrs Murry said: "The fundamental difference is that our products are formulated to work with the skin and getting it working functionally. The ingredients penetrate the skin and get it working properly using therapeutic plant extracts and oils like evening primrose.

"When you look at the ingredients, we are talking about plants we have got to grow and make in to an extract and a lot of care and time is needed to make that.

"We have a more holistic approach because we believe natural substances have an affinity with the body."

The Weleda HQ at Ilkeston, includes the tablet production suite, pharmacy and dispensary, the main warehouse dispatching Weleda's mail order business and dispensed specials, a spacious new sales and marketing building, a further warehouse and underground storage facility, as well as the newly opened staff amenities building.

Tincture production now takes place at the herb gardens at Shipley.

Plants and flowers line a generous-sized garden area where the 93 staff can enjoy a bit of time out.

The latest addition - specifically for the 30th anniversary - is a garden room.

Keeping in line with Weleda's ethical and environmentally-friendly patterns, the room has cabin-like features with wooden roofing and solar panels and even rainwater flush toilets.

The building offers space for yoga and massage. Soaking up the sun at the garden room, Zoe Smith, superintendent pharmacist, said: "Weleda is a wonderful place to work at - it's a special place and we believe our medicines and body care are very special too."

For more details visit www.weleda.co.uk

Source: Nottingham Evening Post

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