Our raw materials are sourced ethically and sustainably

Fragrant lavender from Moldova

The fields in Moldova are filled with the bright purple blossoms of fragrant lavender. At the edges of the fields, mobile distillation units process the freshly gathered plants into essential oil. Only about twenty years ago, there was hardly any market for lavender in Moldova. Today, it provides us with large amounts of lavender for the production of our NATRUE-certified natural personal care products . It’s wonderful to see what’s happening in the area: our partner has added fish stocks to a small lake near the fields, cut back overgrown reeds and set up beehives. It’s not just the quality of the soil that is important here, but also its biodiversity. Only then is nature healthy. That’s why we are currently working with the villagers to help them convert to biodynamic agriculture.

Precious sandalwood oil from New Caledonia

The sandalwood oil we use as a fragrance in some of our products is sourced from one of the islands of New Caledonia in the South Pacific. The oil is extracted from the wood of the trees. Because sandalwood is particularly rare, each tree is tagged with a GPS sensor to prevent illegal harvesting. The people treat this valuable natural resource with care. To test whether the tree is mature enough for harvesting, a tiny hole is drilled into the wood. Then the hole is closed again with resin, so the tree can continue to grow if necessary. We were there when the trees were harvested, visited the wood mill and oil distillery and observed as fragrant sandalwood oil was extracted from the soft chunks of wood.

Arnica wild collection

What is likely Europe’s most abundant source of arnica can be found growing wild in the Carpathian Mountains of Romania. Weleda is helping to protect this resource and support the local people. A meadow alone usually doesn’t produce much for a farmer. But if arnica grows there, the meadow offers an additional source of income, giving the owner an incentive to leave it in its original state. These wild plants are harvested and processed according to strict sustainability and quality standards, which local pickers learn about in training workshops.

Ratanhia from the Andes

Every year a family in Peru makes the long journey up to the Andean Plains to harvest Ratanhia plants and roots for Weleda. Of course we have a permit for certified wild collection; it’s important to us that we also protect this plant species. How much of the plant is there? Have the soil conditions changed? Has anything changed since last year? Everything is carefully observed and documented. To determine which of the wild meadows should be harvested, we consult with experts from local universities and nature conservation organisations.