Weleda and the Nazi era: New study reveals shocking connections!

Weleda and the Nazi era: New study reveals shocking connections!

Just when we thought we had illuminated the dark history of Nazism at every level, a recent study brings new concerns to light. The historian Anne Sudrow has revealed through its new investigation that the Swiss cosmetics company Weleda had tragic connections to the SS and the Dachau concentration camp during World War II.

Specifically, it's about a so-called "anti-gel cream" that, according to Sudrow's research, was linked to cruel human experiments. This cream was originally intended to protect against hypothermia and was developed by none other than Dr. Sigmund Rascher, the Dachau camp doctor, was commissioned.

The accusation and the facts

According to the revelations, Weleda not only had close contact with Rascher, but was also said to have obtained raw materials from a garden in Dachau. The real shock? The cream was tested on prisoners to check its effectiveness in extreme cold conditions. Between August 1942 and May 1943, up to 300 prisoners are reported to have been tested, with reports indicating that up to 90 people died during these tests. These cruel facts were documented in a book that was commissioned by the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial and is entitled "Healing Herbal Cultures. The SS, Organic Agriculture and Naturopathy in the Dachau Concentration Camp."

Weleda himself could not simply deny these connections that burdened the past. The company made a statement about the atrocities of National Socialism and at the same time announced that it would take a closer look at its history. This is in line with the responsibility that comes with being a long-established brand.

Reappraisal of history

As early as 2023, Weleda commissioned an expertise at that time, the results of which are to be published in 2024. But the company is planning more: There will be an independent study, the results of which are expected by 2027. “We would like to analyze the details revealed and make transparent what really happened at the time,” said a company spokesman.

While Weleda strives to face the truth, it remains to be seen how this scandal will affect the image of the company, which is also based in Germany. Some critics are skeptical, noting that it is unlikely that Weleda did not know which officers they were doing business with. Historians also note that there were close personal connections between the anthroposophical movement and the SS.

It remains uncertain whether the new reappraisal will lead to the shadows of the past disappearing. The fact is, however, that Weleda is not only known for its high-quality care products such as the famous Skin Food range, but also for a dark era in history that must not be forgotten. Let's keep an eye on developments and hope that the results of future studies will provide more clarity.

Such topics always have a high priority in German society - which is why it is important that companies like Weleda live up to their responsibility and seriously research their history, not only in terms of marketing, but also morally and ethically.

After all, it's not just about the past, but also about the trust that consumers are willing to place in the brand. If companies like Weleda deal transparently with their history, this could perhaps also be a step towards a better future.