Beginning of the 20th century
At the beginning of the 20th century, Dresden is the centre of the health movement in Germany. The skin, as the body's largest organ, becomes the centre of interest. But until then, bath additives were used without sufficient knowledge of their composition, bathing time and water temperature.
1910
Richard Carl Pittlik has a brilliant idea during a stay at a spa: he wants to produce the first medically harmonised, clinically tested medicinal baths made with natural active ingredients. In 1910, Pittlik founded the company Deutsche Arzneimittelwerke Li-iL in Dresden. The name Li-iL stands for lithium, the carrier substance of the essential oils, and for IIatum, the principle of action from the outside in.
1920s
Together with his scientific colleagues, Dr Rose, Dr Bergmann and the metabolic specialist Dr Rutz, Pittlik conducts extensive experiments to improve the effectiveness of the medicinal baths. And they finally achieve a breakthrough: "Dr Bergmann's Oxygen Bath", the circulation-stimulating "Tripinat Bath" and the gynaecological bath "Damana" are made available to medical practices. Other baths, e.g. for rheumatism and skin conditions, as well as oils for foot and body care are developed in rapid succession.
The company grows steadily and a new, larger site is needed. Li-iL moves within Dresden to Leipziger Straße, which is still the company's headquarters and production site today. More and more products are developed and even presented internationally. in 1926, the company receives the gold medal of the city of Düsseldorf on the occasion of the trade fair for health, social affairs and physical exercise.
The tripinate bath was a medicinal nerve and rheumatism bath with essential oils of spruce, fir and pine. It stimulated blood flow to the skin and therefore stimulated the metabolism and blood circulation.
The alkaline oxygen bath impressed with its pore-fine, numerous gas bubbles. These clung to the pores of the skin and unfolded their healing effect. Traces of oxygen were absorbed through the skin and it helped with heart and nerve problems, asthma and insomnia. The bath also developed a very dense oxygen foam that could even hold a coin.
The stimulating Damana steel milk bath was a colloidal iron bath. Due to its alkaline content, it increased the absorption of essential oils through the skin, stimulated blood circulation and oxygen exchange and had an odour-binding effect. The so-called "ladies' bath" was prescribed for anaemia, depression, nervousness, but also before and after menstruation.
1930s
Dr Ernestine Gabriele Böhme and Dr Josef Osterroth take over the Li-iL factory after the early death of company founder Pittlik. They expand the product range with liniments such as "Camphoderm" and "Tussidermil". Over 6,000 doctors, hospitals and sanatoriums are permanent customers. Treatment with Li-iL products is supported and reimbursed by health insurance companies and welfare organisations.
1940s
Although Dresden is badly damaged in the Second World War, the Li-iL company buildings remain intact. Dr Böhme and her employees immediately resume production - albeit with a product range that is reduced by half.
1950s
The product range is constantly expanded. Numerous new trade mark applications follow.
1960s
As for almost all companies in the GDR, the economic conditions deteriorate noticeably. Li-iL has to contend with a shortage of raw materials and political interference. Despite this, Dr Böhme succeeds in continuing to run the company successfully.
1970s
in 1972, despite massive resistance, Li-iL is forcibly nationalised and assigned to the VEB Arzneimittelwerk Dresden, which in turn belongs to the "GERMED" combine. This reorganisation greatly increases the company's production volume. However, this also leads to a reduction in development activities for new products. Li-iL now also produces fine chemicals, such as customised solutions for the chemical industry. Business connections are maintained with Eastern Europe, Africa and Arabia, making Li-iL products particularly well known in these regions. Studies are carried out on many of Li-iL's health care products in order to gain further scientific knowledge about them and improve their pharmaceutical effect.
1980s
The "Wende" in November 1989 changes the political situation in East Germany and creates the conditions for completely new opportunities.
1990s
German reunification marks the beginning of the struggle for survival for many companies in the former GDR. Only a few are able to hold their own in the new economic system. The fact that Li-iL manages this step is largely due to the commitment and confidence of the new owners, who feel a close connection to the city of Dresden due to their family roots. The family-owned company HOLTSCH Medizinprodukte GmbH in Taunusstein takes over Li-iL from the Treuhand in the course of reprivatisation and makes extensive investments to modernise and expand the production and laboratory facilities.
Li-iL refocuses on the development of new products and launches the cosmetics brand DRESDNER ESSENZ®. The first new products are cosmetic liquid and powder baths as well as sauna infusions, which are developed on the basis of existing knowledge and the latest scientific findings in the field of body care. Li-iL succeeds in successfully positioning the DRESDNER ESSENZ brand® on the national and international market.
2000s
Numerous new products are developed. In addition to traditional medicines, cosmetic products are marketed under the DRESDNER ESSENZ brand®. The DRESDNER ESSENZ® range includes bath additives, shower gels, sauna infusions and high-quality body care products such as face masks and body lotions. The various series range from products with traditional medicinal herbs to innovative wellness products and the DRECKSPATZ children's series®.
DRESDNER ESSENZ® products are available in all German drugstores and specialised retailers. 26% are exported, with the main sales markets being Europe, North America and Asia.
The increasing demand for Li-iL products can be met through extensive investment and modernisation of the production and laboratory facilities.
