People have been bathing with our idea for over a century.
At the beginning of the 20th century,
Dresden was at the center of a new health movement in Germany. Skin, the largest organ of the human body, was becoming a key discussion topic. Even so, bath essences were still being used without sufficient knowledge of their composition and in relation to bath times and ideal water temperature.
1910
One day while staying at a spa, Richard Carl Pittlik realized his dream to be the first person to manufacture customized, clinically-tested medical bath products produced with natural active ingredients. In 1910, Pittlik founded the Li-iL Deutsche Arzneimittelwerke (German Pharmaceutical Plant) company in Dresden. The name Li-iL was created from a combination of the word lithium, the carrier substance of essential oils, and ilatum, the Latin word denoting the principle of movement from the outside to the inside.
1920s
Together with his scientific staff, Dr. Rose, Dr. Bergmann and metabolic specialist Dr. Rutz, Pittlik improved the effectiveness of medical baths involving complex testing procedures and finally achieved a breakthrough. The Dr. Bergmann Sauerstoffbad (Oxygen Bath), the circulation-stimulating Tripanat Bath and the gynecological Damana Bath were made available to specialized medical practices. The team rapidly continued the development of other baths, including those specifically formulated for rheumatism and skin ailments, as well as for foot and body care. The company continued to expand and required a new, larger location. Li-iL relocated within Dresden to Leipziger Strasse, which has since remained the head office and production location of the company. An increasing number of products were developed and presented on the international stage. In 1926, the company was awarded the Gold Medal of the city of Düsseldorf on the occasion of the Trade Fair for Health, Social Affairs and Physical Education.
1930s
Dr. Ernestine Gabriele Böhme and Dr. Josef Osterroth took over Li-iL following the early death of Pittlik, the founder of the company. They expanded the range of products with liniments like Caphoderm and Tussidermil, used by over 6,000 doctors, hospitals and sanatoria. The medical treatments using Li-iL products became supported and paid for by health insurance companies and welfare institutions.
1940s
Although Dresden was severely impacted during WWII, the Li-iL premises encountered no damage. Dr. Böhme and her staff immediately resumed production — albeit with the range of products reduced by half.
1950s
The range of products continually expanded, followed by numerous new trademark applications.
1960s
Many business environments in East Germany faced increasing deterioration, and Li-iL met raw material shortages as well as political interference. In spite of this, Dr. Böhme still managed to move the company forward.
1970s
Against massive resistance, Li-iL was forcibly nationalized and incorporated into the nationally-owned enterprise VEB Arzneimittelwerk Dresden, a part of the collective GERMED. As a result of this restructuring, production levels increased dramatically. At the same time, this led to a restriction in development of new products. Li-iL also began producing fine chemicals, like tailored solutions for the chemical industry. Commercial links to Eastern Europe, Africa and the Middle East were cultivated, which enabled Li-iL products to become especially well-known in those areas. Li-iL conducted studies with a wide range of health care substances in order to obtain deeper scientific knowledge of them and improve their pharmaceutical effect.
1980s
With the fall of the Berlin Wall, a dramatic change in the political situation in East Germany followed, creating the prerequisites for completely new possibilities.
1990s
For many businesses in the former East Germany, the reunification of Germany represented the beginning of a struggle to survive. Only a few managed to establish themselves in the new, prevailing economic conditions. Li-iL achieved this step due to the commitment and confidence of its new owners who felt a close affinity to the city of Dresden because of their family roots. The family company HOLTSCH Medizinprodukte GmbH, based in Taunusstein, took over Li-iL in the course of its re-privatization from the Treuhand (Government appointed trustee), and significantly invested in modernizing and enlarging the production and laboratory sites. Li-iL refocused on the development of new products and introduced the DRESDNER ESSENZ® cosmetic brand. The first products were cosmetic liquid and powder baths, as well as sauna fragrances, all of which were developed on the basis of existing knowledge and the newest scientific understandings in body care. Li-iL successfully achieved positioning of the DRESDNER ESSENZ® brand in domestic and international markets.
2000s
Li-Il developed a wide range of new products. Alongside the traditional pharmaceutical products, Li-Il began to sell its cosmetic products under the DRESDNER ESSENZ® brand, comprised of bath and body products manufactured with traditional medicinal herbs and indicated for wellness. Products include bath salts, liquid bath additives and top-quality body oils and body lotions. Additionally, the DIRTY BIRDIE® product line was established for kids. DRESDNER ESSENZ® products became available in most European markets, as well as in Japan, South Korea and North America. DRESDNER ESSENZ® secured the growing demand for Li-iL products with extensive investment, modernization of production and expanded laboratory locations.
2010s
In 2010, Li-iL celebrated 100 years of providing effectiveness of medicinal herb extracts in its bath products. In 2016, DRESDNER ESSENZ introduced a new line of NATRUE certified and vegan natural cosmetics to the market. The DIRTY BIRDIE® products were revamped as vegan and NATRUE certified. In the spirit of the company’s founder, Richard Carl Pittlik, exclusively selected raw substances are used today and plant-based materials favored. Our product range is subject to strict quality controls and is constantly being improved.
1910
One day while staying at a spa, Richard Carl Pittlik realized his dream to be the first person to manufacture customized, clinically-tested medical bath products produced with natural active ingredients. In 1910, Pittlik founded the Li-iL Deutsche Arzneimittelwerke (German Pharmaceutical Plant) company in Dresden. The name Li-iL was created from a combination of the word lithium, the carrier substance of essential oils, and ilatum, the Latin word denoting the principle of movement from the outside to the inside.
1920s
Together with his scientific staff, Dr. Rose, Dr. Bergmann and metabolic specialist Dr. Rutz, Pittlik improved the effectiveness of medical baths involving complex testing procedures and finally achieved a breakthrough. The Dr. Bergmann Sauerstoffbad (Oxygen Bath), the circulation-stimulating Tripanat Bath and the gynecological Damana Bath were made available to specialized medical practices. The team rapidly continued the development of other baths, including those specifically formulated for rheumatism and skin ailments, as well as for foot and body care. The company continued to expand and required a new, larger location. Li-iL relocated within Dresden to Leipziger Strasse, which has since remained the head office and production location of the company. An increasing number of products were developed and presented on the international stage. In 1926, the company was awarded the Gold Medal of the city of Düsseldorf on the occasion of the Trade Fair for Health, Social Affairs and Physical Education.
1930s
Dr. Ernestine Gabriele Böhme and Dr. Josef Osterroth took over Li-iL following the early death of Pittlik, the founder of the company. They expanded the range of products with liniments like Caphoderm and Tussidermil, used by over 6,000 doctors, hospitals and sanatoria. The medical treatments using Li-iL products became supported and paid for by health insurance companies and welfare institutions.
1940s
Although Dresden was severely impacted during WWII, the Li-iL premises encountered no damage. Dr. Böhme and her staff immediately resumed production — albeit with the range of products reduced by half.
1950s
The range of products continually expanded, followed by numerous new trademark applications.
1960s
Many business environments in East Germany faced increasing deterioration, and Li-iL met raw material shortages as well as political interference. In spite of this, Dr. Böhme still managed to move the company forward.
1970s
Against massive resistance, Li-iL was forcibly nationalized and incorporated into the nationally-owned enterprise VEB Arzneimittelwerk Dresden, a part of the collective GERMED. As a result of this restructuring, production levels increased dramatically. At the same time, this led to a restriction in development of new products. Li-iL also began producing fine chemicals, like tailored solutions for the chemical industry. Commercial links to Eastern Europe, Africa and the Middle East were cultivated, which enabled Li-iL products to become especially well-known in those areas. Li-iL conducted studies with a wide range of health care substances in order to obtain deeper scientific knowledge of them and improve their pharmaceutical effect.
1980s
With the fall of the Berlin Wall, a dramatic change in the political situation in East Germany followed, creating the prerequisites for completely new possibilities.
1990s
For many businesses in the former East Germany, the reunification of Germany represented the beginning of a struggle to survive. Only a few managed to establish themselves in the new, prevailing economic conditions. Li-iL achieved this step due to the commitment and confidence of its new owners who felt a close affinity to the city of Dresden because of their family roots. The family company HOLTSCH Medizinprodukte GmbH, based in Taunusstein, took over Li-iL in the course of its re-privatization from the Treuhand (Government appointed trustee), and significantly invested in modernizing and enlarging the production and laboratory sites. Li-iL refocused on the development of new products and introduced the DRESDNER ESSENZ® cosmetic brand. The first products were cosmetic liquid and powder baths, as well as sauna fragrances, all of which were developed on the basis of existing knowledge and the newest scientific understandings in body care. Li-iL successfully achieved positioning of the DRESDNER ESSENZ® brand in domestic and international markets.
2000s
Li-iL developed a wide range of new products. Alongside the traditional pharmaceutical products, Li-iL began to sell its cosmetic products under the DRESDNER ESSENZ® brand, comprised of bath and body products manufactured with traditional medicinal herbs and indicated for wellness. Products include bath salts, liquid bath additives and top-quality body oils and body lotions. Additionally, the DIRTY BIRDIE® product line was established for kids. DRESDNER ESSENZ® products became available in most European markets, as well as in Japan, South Korea and North America. DRESDNER ESSENZ® secured the growing demand for Li-iL products with extensive investment, modernization of production and expanded laboratory locations.
2010s
In 2010, Li-iL celebrated 100 years of providing effectiveness of medicinal herb extracts in its bath products. In 2016, DRESDNER ESSENZ introduced a new line of NATRUE certified and vegan natural cosmetics to the market. The DIRTY BIRDIE® products were revamped as NATRUE certified. In the spirit of the company’s founder, Richard Carl Pittlik, exclusively selected raw substances are used today and plant-based materials favored. Our product range is subject to strict quality controls and is constantly being improved.