During the Nazi era, the natural cosmetics company Weleda maintained strong connections with the SS. - "Spiegel" reveals that natural cosmetics brand Weleda held intimate ties with the SS during the Nazi period
In the heart of Munich, Germany, lies the infamous Dachau concentration camp, a dark chapter in history. Coincidentally, the city also hosts the headquarters of Weleda, a company renowned for its anthroposophical remedies and biodynamic agriculture.
However, the connection between Weleda and Dachau runs deeper than geography. During the Nazi era, Weleda provided a frost protection cream to the SS's German Experimental Institute for Nutrition and Catering (DVA), which was based in Dachau. This institute was notorious for its inhumane experiments on prisoners.
The Dachau farm, operated by the SS, was a "plantation" dedicated to researching and applying biodynamic farming methods. Former Weleda employees played a central role in establishing this farm. Prisoners from the concentration camp were used as forced labor at this farm.
Frank Lippert, the former head of Weleda's medicinal plant garden, worked for the SS from 1941. He benefited from the forced labor of prisoners in his research while maintaining contact with Weleda. However, it is important to note that there is no evidence suggesting Lippert was involved in the atrocities at Dachau as a researcher.
An unpublished study, commissioned by the Dachau memorial site, delves into the connections between the anthroposophy scene in Germany, biodynamic farming, and the SS during the Nazi era. Conducted by historian Anne Sudrow, the study reveals close connections between Weleda and the SS in Dachau.
SS doctor Sigmund Rascher, a Waldorf school graduate and anthroposophist, allegedly used Weleda-supplied cream for human experiments in Dachau. Rascher conducted experiments on prisoners to study the effects of cold and frost protection agents, resulting in numerous deaths.
Weleda mentions the cream supplied to the DVA in its company history, but it is unclear whether Rascher used it for human experiments or if that was even his intention. The findings of Sudrow's study, which have not been previously published, shed light on these unclear aspects.
The head of the Weleda botanical garden was Rudolf Steiner's collaborator Herbert Reile. There is no evidence that Reile was involved in forced labor as a researcher in Dachau during World War II.
In conclusion, while Weleda's connection to Dachau is complex, it is clear that the company's history during the Nazi era is marked by complicity and ethical ambiguity. The findings of Sudrow's study, when published, will likely provide a more comprehensive understanding of this dark period in Weleda's history.
Read also:
- Peptide YY (PYY): Exploring its Role in Appetite Suppression, Intestinal Health, and Cognitive Links
- Toddler Health: Rotavirus Signs, Origins, and Potential Complications
- Digestive issues and heart discomfort: Root causes and associated health conditions
- House Infernos: Deadly Hazards Surpassing the Flames
