Interview with Weleda Consultant, Sulin Sze
I met Sulin a little while back at eco baby expo in North Sydney (Sorry, I can’t remember the name) and she was kind enough to give me a sample of some Weleda baby care products. Apart from the teething powder, I hadn’t used them before and I was impressed mostly with the nappy creams as I felt they healed the rash from the inside out – not just zapped it away quickly only for the source of problem to still be there. While I am here I should add that the teething powder truely is amazing and works INSTANTLY! Apparently, going by Little Miss’ reactions, it tastes great too!
I know lots of people who use Weleda, but I have met a fair few who don’t purely because they have not heard of natural remedies in general – let alone believe they would even work.
I mustered up some questions for Sulin Sze from Weleda who is also a clinical naturopath to get a clearer understanding of Weleda’s philosophy and hopefully let inspire to either make the switch to Weleda or at least natural products in general. Or maybe to just reaffirm that you are on to a good thing.
Who are you and what do you do?
My name is Sulin Sze, I am a clinical naturopath in Sydney, and a consultant to the natural skin care manufacturer, Weleda in Australia and New Zealand. I’m also a mother to a beautiful 1 year old boy called Oshi.
Why do you do what you do and how did you find yourself there?
A lifelong interest in health and wellbeing led me towards natural medicine, where now as a naturopathic practitioner, I can help others reach their potentials in health. Herbal medicine is something I am passionate about. I recognise it’s incredible therapeutic value in modern times.
My naturopathic work led me in turn to Weleda, whose holistic and ethical approach to skin care really resonated with me. I began working with the Weleda Mother and Baby range of products many years ago,and I’ve still not seen any other products on the market that measure up!
How does working at Weleda fulfil you as a health professional?
Working with Weleda has taught me so much about the therapeutic applications of herbs for mothers and their babies. It has a history of over 90 years of natural product development and research and the products are second to none in terms of quality and efficacy. I have also come to appreciate the healing potential of plants for human beings. There is a synergism there. I think that is partly why Weleda products are so effective – there is a clear understanding of the energies and dynamics of the plants contained in each product, and what they are best used for in humans. Working with Weleda has helped me to achieve a higher level of ethical and environmental consciousness in my own life and work.
What is Weleda’s philosophy on natural health and how does this influence their mother and baby range?
Weleda takes an holistic approach to health that is in harmony with nature and the human being, helping our bodies to harness our own inherent healing abilities. The Weleda Mother and Baby range uses extracts from the Calendula flower, which is reknown for it’s gentle, protective, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic qualities. This is a perfect match for sensitive baby skin which is four to five times thinner than adult skin, and lacks a tough external protective skin layer. It takes several years for baby skin to mature physically and functionally. Weleda utilizes plant medicines in their baby products, and they are non-toxic and highly effective! The Weleda Teething Powder is a wonderful example of how we can bring relief to a baby’s pain symptoms naturally, without using chemicals whose effects may be poorly understood.
What are your three favourite items from the Mother & Baby care range and why?
It is hard to choose just three! I only use Weleda Calendula Nappy Change Cream because it is so soothing on the skin and effective at preventing nappy rash. I also use it on skin rash and insect bites to quickly calm the skin and aid healing. I often recommend to my clients the Weleda Nursing Tea, an organic blend of lactation (breastfeeding supportive) herbs including fenugreek, fennel and verbena which brings great results for nursing mothers looking to improve milk supply. It also calms down digestive disturbances (like flatulence and colic), and I recommend it to nursing mothers of colicky babies. Touch is a means of love-communication between mother and baby, and my third choice of product was present in many of my loving encounters with my own son, Weleda Calendula Lotion. This is a richly moisturising lotion fragranced naturally with extracts of Calendula petals that also makes a luxurious massage balm. A gentle massage with Calendula Lotion after bath-time makes for a soothing ritual that helps prepare baby for sleep.
What are your three top natural remedies?
Mothers need remedies that are fast-acting and reliable! The top three remedies I would choose are arnica (tablets and cream) for inflammation or bruising, Weleda Teething Powder to quickly calm any discomfort with the gums and teething, and Kali Mur tissue salts for sticky mucous and colds. I’m also a big fan of calendula based lotions or creams for the whole family, to soothe sensitive or irritated skin, such as after sun exposure, insect bites, rash and toxicity reactions.
If you have any questions for Sulin from Weleda she is contactable on 0404411848 or motherandbaby@weleda.com.au.
I would highly recommend the Weleda Baby Basic starter kit as a lovely baby shower gift and/or have packed as part of your bag of tricks for baby’s first bath. In case you are having a hospital birth, take this core kit along with you and get the nurses to wash baby while using non-toxic and organic shampoo and baby wash, keeping in mind that babies — and big kids, and adults too!– absorb everything into their skin and in their bloodstream. Also from the kit: diaper care, baby cream, lotion and face cream.
Claire