Our Roots: The Story of Herbacin

We’re delighted to formally introduce ourselves and give you a little bit of background on our company.

One of the oldest Natural Cosmetic Brands in Germany, this family-run company began when, in 1900,  two pharmacists living in the idyllic area of Thuringia had a brilliant idea: “to create a new personal care formula inspired from the heart of nature.” Little did they know that this would result in a global beauty product success story.

Otto and Hedwig Knig officially founded Herbacin in Eisenach, Germany, in 1905. Early on, they created a distinctive brand image that is still the foundation of Herbacin today. It pays homage to deep green forests and flowering meadows where the Herbacin brand had its roots.

Long before natural cosmetics became popular, Herbacin products were known and sought after for their quality and efficacy. Now,the brand is renowned as a natural care program for face, body and hair..  All of our products are researched, developed, and produced at Herbacin’s own facilities and laboratories in Germany.

“Made In Germany,” Still Stands For Quality.

And with good reason. We use only carefully selected natural ingredients from certified organic cultivations. In addition, we develop and produce locally in Wutha-Farnroda, in the heart of a nature reserve in beautiful Thuringia. It’s a lovely place to visit and you can find the Herbacin “green” heritage products, together with our full line and  the Waldmoos brand at our signature Herbacin  store in Eisenach.

Welcome to the world of Herbacin. If you are ever traveling in Germany, you can visit Herbacin stores 

in two cities: Eisenach and Erfurt. 

Spring Cleaning: How to De-Clutter Your Life

Spring is officially here and with it comes Spring-cleaning!

We’re not talking about dusting the blinds and mopping under the sofas. We’re talking about going through all of your “stuff” and de-cluttering your life—something  we all should be doing. Excessive clutter can be symptomatic and even a cause of stress; this can affect every facet of your life, from the amount of time  you need to get things done to your finances and your overall enjoyment of life.  Clutter can distract you, weigh you down, and in general invite chaos into your life.

How to go about it:

Let’s start with separating “stuff” into categories: clothes, books and movies, kitchenware, miscellaneous.

Clothes:

Begin at your closet or dresser—easy, right?   Remove pieces one by one and separate into piles based on  these three questions:

1.     Does this fit me?

a.     Yes. On to the next question.

b.     No. Place it in the “no” pile. 

2.     Have I worn this in the last 3 months?

a.     Yes. On to the next question.

b.     No. Add it to the “no” pile.

3.     Do I need this item?

a.     Yes. Keep it.

b.      No. Put it in the “no” pile.

Now, we’re not suggesting that you  get rid of every single item in your closet that you don’t necessarily need. If the item in question is of good quality, hang on to it., But that cheap sundress you bought last year to wear to a beach party which you haven’t worn  since? Toss it in the donation pile.

Books and Movies:

Getting rid of books and movies can be a sentimental issue. Whether it’s a book you received as a child, or a favorite film on DVD that you just can’t seem to get rid of, we’ve got you covered.

Try setting a number of books and movies you can allow yourself to have. If you go over that number by buying new ones, you have to get rid of ones to keep the number your previously set. Once you realize you don’t need all of those heavy books, it’ll become second nature to only hold onto a few!

Kitchenware:

This one’s simple. Hardly anyone really needs 13 coffee mugs. If you can, minimize your  kitchenware to whatever you use on a weekly basis,making exceptions for a few holiday and entertainment items.

Miscellaneous:

If you find yourself with “extras” throughout your Spring-cleaning process, try applying the previous questions to these miscellaneous items as well. How often is it used or worn?  Do you really need it?

By devoting some time to getting rid of the clutter in your life, you’ll reap the rewards of pleasant  living areas, reduced stress, and a more organized and productive existence.

Best of luck in your Spring-cleaning process!

Why Earth Day Matters

Every year, on April 22, we celebrate Earth Day. Sure, we know it’s about celebrating the Earth, but do you know why? Let’s learn about Earth Day together!

The idea to celebrate Earth Day originated with founder and U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson after witnessing the 1969 oil spill in Santa Barbara, California.

Nelson, inspired by the student anti-war movement of the time, realized that merging the energy of those students with public awareness about water and air pollution could push environmental protection into the spotlight.

Nelson worked with Dennis Hayes and Pete McCloskey to build a national staff of around 85 people to promote environmental events on April 22^nd.

On that date in 1970, in an effort to save the environment, 20 million Americans joined together in fighting for a more sustainable way of living.

Since then this national observance has grown tremendously,with 22,000 participants  in 192 countries. According to the Earth Day Network, a non-profit organization  which coordinates Earth Day activities, over 1 billion people are involved annually.

To learn more about additional events in your area, visit www.earthday.org

Let’s make an effort to save our environment on Earth Day and Every Day!

Happy Earth Day!

How to cut your carbon footprint

 In honor of Earth Day, coming up soon, we are working hard to cut our carbon footprint. Would you like to join us?

Here are a few ways we can all work together to reduce our carbon footprint-- not just on Earth Day, but every day!

1.Change your commute

If you live within a reasonable distance of your job, try riding your bicycle or walking to work! If you don’t live close enough, make it a weekend thing! Try biking to the grocery store or to a nearby park to get some outdoor time.  

2.Unplug

We lived in a “plugged in” world. Try cutting down on plug in time and turning off electronics for a few hours a day. Pick up a book in the evening instead of turning on the TV.  Turn off  lights when you aren’t in the room. Lighting with candles saves energy and sets a romantic and relaxing mood for any evening!

3.Brush in the shower

Try to get as much as possible done in the shower, such as brushing your teeth. This reduces wasted water you’d generally run in the sink. Try turning your shower head on while rinsing and leaving it off while brushing and washing.

4.Shop locally

Head over to your local farmers market for your next grocery haul! This will cut down on buying unneeded packaged goods and cut down on plastic use. Plus, you’ll be supporting local farmers!

Happy Earth Day! Who’s up for joining us?

Making your skincare earth friendly

Sometimes it’s fun to make your own skin care products, using ingredients you have in your kitchen! Here are some earth-friendly, easy-to-make  skin care remedies you can try at home.

Cleanser

¼ c. olive oil

¼ c. apple cider vinegar

¼ c. water

Pour  ingredients into a screw top jar, shake it up and that’s it! Rub gently over your face, then  rinse with warm water. The olive oil will replenish natural oils while the apple cider vinegar works within your pores to fight off bacteria. Stores up to one week.

Exfoliator

1 c. oats

2 tbsp honey

1 tbsp cinnamon

This acne-fighting exfoliant will clear breakouts and leave your skin feeling smooth and shiny. Simply mix the ingredients in a bowl and transfer to a reusable jar with a lid. Rub the exfoliator onto your face twice a week and rinse with warm water. Then close your pores by splashing your face with cold water. Stores up to one week.

Toner

½ c. green Tea

¼ c. apple cider vinegar

Simply mix together in a small bowl and store in a reusable bottle. The green tea is loaded with antioxidants and has anti-aging properties, while the apple cider vinegar works to fight off acne and break down makeup residue. Once you’ve washed and dried your face, dab a few drops of the toner on a cotton pad and pat all over your face. Stores up to one week.

Moisturizer

1 c. coconut oil

2 tbsp green tea

Bring one cup of water to a boil  and add your loose-leaf green tea. Once the tea has steeped, strain the tea with cheesecloth or a strainer. Mix together coconut oil and a few tbsp. of your green tea (not too much or it may be too loose) in a small container. Voila! Your own homemade moisturizer! Once you’ve washed and toned your face, apply the moisturizer to your face and neck. Store in an airtight container for up to two weeks.