Today we would like to commemorate an important pioneer, visionary, and influential naturopath on the occasion of his birthday on May 17, 1821 (d. June 17, 1897). We are speaking of Sebastian Kneipp. His work and tireless commitment to a healthy life in harmony with nature, his comprehensive knowledge of naturopathy, and his holistic understanding of health continue to significantly shape our health culture today.
"Prevention is better than cure"
Based on his personal experience with tuberculosis and his healing experiences with hydrotherapy, as well as his keen awareness of the needs of society at the time for natural and affordable remedies, Sebastian Kneipp developed a holistic health concept. Kneipp's health philosophy is now established in both therapeutic and preventative settings. Its five pillars—water, medicinal herbs, exercise, lifestyle, and nutrition—characterize this holistic approach to health.
Did you know that today's established knowledge about compress applications is largely due to the teachings of Sebastian Kneipp? Even though water was already considered a remedy in antiquity and other figures such as Johann Siegmund Hahn (1696 – 1773) or Vincenz Prießnitz (1799-1851) laid important foundations for water applications and compresses, the current recommendations for hydrotherapy are based on the teachings of Sebastian Kneipp.
Sebastian Kneipp already recognized the importance of fabric properties for the success of compresses. At Wickel & Co.®, we are equally committed to using only high-quality fabrics made from natural materials, preferably from certified organic farming (kbA), for our compresses. Our fabrics are laboratory tested for harmful substances and meet the criteria for use with infants. Especially with the rise in allergies, the purity of materials is becoming increasingly important. For this reason, all our printed or woven fabrics are treated with non-toxic dyes. Fabrics containing synthetic fibers can interfere with the beneficial effects of compresses and poultices, which is why we use only natural materials. You can find more information about the materials we use on our website under the section "Materials/Raw Materials".
