In my previous post, I shared what I learned at the #WeledaInsightDay about the wide range of products that Weleda produces. We also had an opportunity to spend time in the Weleda Biodyamic Field. Thirteen acres where plants used in the homeopathic remedies and tinctures are grown. In biodynamic agriculture, the farm as a whole is seen as a organism, and seeks to be self sustaining, which means that for example compost is produced within the farm and is not brought in. The timing of when plants are sown or harvested are informed by the moon’s phases and planetary movements. It is a movement that has been embraced by much of Europe and part of the Americas and Asia. We received a huge amount information and I took alot of pictures.
Calendula Officianalis / Pot Marigold
After my day at Weleda, I will forever associate the brand with Pot Marigold. It is one of the most used products in their range because of the benefits that this beautiful flower provides. Calendula is know for it’s protective and anti inflammatory properties so it is used extensively in skincare for children. Pot Marigold produces three different types of seed all of which are sown to yield the pot marigold plant with the gorgeous bright orange flower. At Weleda the time from harvesting the plant to creating a tincture can be a short at thirty minutes because the gardeners also make the tinctures.
Beauty Insiders @organicmua and @dijasword showed us how to make the tinctures, by chopping up the Calendula plants, adding ethanol and then the mixture is left for two weeks. Laboratory technicians oversee the whole process for quality control.
Onopordum acanthium / Scotch Thistle used as a cardiac stimulant
Popaver rhoes / Poppy
Matricaria chamomilla/Chamomile – used in a wide range of Weleda products including toothpaste, hair, face and body products.
Hypericum perforatum / St Johns Wort – if you hold the leaf of this flower to the light, you will see that the leaves are perforated. At Weleda it is used in the Hypercal Wound Salve.
Digitalis purpurea / Common foxglove – used to treat heart conditions.
Valeriana officinalis / Valerian – a powerful sedative.
Six Spot Burnet / Zygaena filipendulae – a moth that flies around in the day.
There was so much information that I did not get a chance to make a note of all the species that I saw. Here are some the the identified flowers I snapped. If you know what they are called , please let me know so that I can name them all.
