One family, five metric tons of herbs, and a wealth of experience

Exactly. A cooperative for growing aromatic herbs was formed, bringing together various producers from the Lucerne hinterland. At Ricola, quotas were allocated every December, and our region was assigned increasingly larger quantities over time.

At some point, one thing became clear: we needed our own drying facility, a warehouse, and efficient logistics. After all, once processed, the herbs also had to be transported. At the same time, the area under cultivation kept expanding. Some farmers stopped growing them, while others began doing so.

When my husband took over the farm about twenty years ago, he knew he wanted to continue expanding the cultivation of aromatic herbs. Together, we expanded the area from half a hectare to two hectares. In collaboration with a mechanic specializing in farm machinery, we even developed our own herb mower. Thanks to it, we no longer had to cut the herbs by hand.

The herbalists' cooperative realized it needed a larger, more professional drying facility. In collaboration with a refrigeration technician specializing in this field, it expanded the facility. Gentle drying is essential to best preserve the color, aroma, and valuable active ingredients of the herbs.

However, it is difficult to make a living solely from growing herbs. For us, this has always been a side business to raising dairy cows. At the same time, we founded Napfkräuter GmbH and developed our own blends of herbal teas, syrups, and herbal products. That’s how everything gradually took shape. During busy periods, we also hire seasonal workers.

The best time to grow herbs is from May through September. Of course, it all depends on the type of plant you’re growing. Not all herbs tolerate rain, cold, or intense sunlight equally well.

I can't say for sure whether the concentration of active ingredients at 700 meters is actually different from that observed at lower altitudes. But not all herbs grow equally well in every region. At high altitudes, the soil is often different—perhaps sandier or rockier, and less clayey.

Therefore, you must always adapt the plant varieties to the soil available. Furthermore, yields are generally lower at higher altitudes. While a farm in the valley can harvest up to four times a year, at an altitude of 1,000 meters, there may be only one or two harvests.

Farmers harvest the herbs using machines specifically designed for this purpose and deliver them directly to us. The fresh herbs are dumped into large drying containers. They must be placed there no later than one hour after harvest. This very short timeframe is essential to ensure the final quality of the product.

The herbs are then dried slowly using cold air. Air, kept at a temperature no higher than 30 degrees, circulates from the bottom up through the containers. This prevents the herbs from experiencing thermal shock and helps them retain their vibrant color.

If it isn't completely dry, moisture will remain. This can lead to mold growth. The grass may turn black due to the heat that builds up inside, and eventually give off an unpleasant odor. At that point, it is no longer usable.

First, pay attention to the color: it should be vibrant and intense. The smell also says a lot. Good dried herb has an intense, fresh aroma.

If you can barely smell it or tell what kind of herb it is, it’s probably already a little old or hasn’t been processed and stored properly.

Without a doubt, peppermint: it’s relatively easy to grow and very popular in the Lucerne region. You can enjoy it hot as herbal tea or cold as a refreshing drink. Personally, we consume a lot of it.

Without a doubt, my in-laws’ knowledge. For many years, they’ve read extensively, tried things out for themselves, and never stopped expanding their knowledge. That kind of knowledge can’t be learned anywhere else.

And even after decades, we still learn something new every year. The weather is so unpredictable that no two years are exactly the same. You have to know how to respond when it rains for weeks on end or when, like this year, it’s extremely hot. Much of it comes from experience, observation, and daily contact with plants.

In addition, when herbs are grown in the same spot for too long, pests such as the mint beetle or the cicada can take hold there. Changing the planting area regularly helps prevent these problems.

I think it’s wonderful that so many young people are once again interested in nutrition, health, and natural products, instead of just popping a pill at the slightest discomfort. It makes a big difference that this information is also available in the media, on Instagram, and on other platforms.

Of course, as with anything that’s trendy, people sometimes go a little overboard. That’s probably just part of the deal. Still, I’ve been working with loose-leaf tea blends for a very long time now, and I’m always surprised to see how many young people come to buy tea from us these days.

I find it truly fascinating to see just how many different ways plants can be used. We have our roots in the tea industry, and I’ve always been interested in the other areas where plants can be put to use.

In that regard, I don’t really draw a distinction between a large company like Ricola and the wellness sector, where plants are used in very targeted ways for specific applications. It’s mainly the wide range of possibilities that fascinates me. Plants can be drunk, smelled, experienced, and discovered in a wide variety of ways.

Variety. You don’t always have to drink your favorite tea. There are so many different herbs and tea blends to discover.

A targeted tea regimen can do your body good. For example, such a regimen might involve drinking a liter of nettle tea every day. Then you move on to another herb. This way, the tea and its benefits vary, and each herb has time to unleash its healing properties.

If you’d like to delve even deeper into the soothing world of natural fragrances and essences, you’ll find other fascinating articles in Küng magazine. The article “Aromatherapy in the Sauna and Steam Room: Pure Relaxation” explains how essential oils and herbs work their magic when combined with heat and steam, and which scents can soothe, invigorate, or provide relief for the respiratory system.

To discover how to give the gift of little moments of well-being, read this article: “Well-Being Gifts: The Best Ideas for Christmas.” Of course, the ideas presented here aren’t just for under the Christmas tree: high-quality herbal teas, scented bath products, luxurious skincare treatments, and elegant accessories offer a little relaxation any time of year.