Royal Watch News

Prince Charles' herbal remedies

Dec 17, 2008, 10:15 GMT

Britain's Prince Charles' food firm is launching a range of herbal remedies.

The 60-year-old prince watched as the first batch of the new Duchy Originals herbal goods - which will be available in the new year - was made as he toured the factory and laboratories of the healthcare company who are producing the products.

Duchy Original's chief executive officer Andrew Baker said: "Duchy Original's decision to launch a range of herbal tinctures reflects the prince's passion for adopting an integrated approach to healthcare.

"The range is an exciting development for us and will engender more funds for the Prince's Charities Foundation to which we are donating all our profits."

The prince toured the Nelson's plant in Wimbledon, South East England without his wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, because she is suffering from a virus.

The royal received a special tour of the works from brothers Robert and Patrick Wilson, the firm's chairman and deputy chairman.

Charles was shown the whole process of manufacturing the goods, from extracting the ingredients from flowers, to creating the final cream or lotion.

During his visit, the prince met Jerome Joseph, who was working on a machine producing the arnica product, which helps treat bruising.

Jerome said: "He said to me 'this stuff is good' so it seems like he must have tried it."

Before he left the plant, Charles gave a speech, saying: "For many years I've had nothing but admiration for what this company has achieved. In fact, I was brought up with Nelsons really.

"When I was very small, I remember so well my grandmother having her wonderful leather pouch with all these homeopathic glass phials in it.

"It was such a feature of my life and as I got older I became more and more aware of the effectiveness of homeopathy and indeed of complementary medicine generally."

Duchy Originals was set up in 1990 with the aim of promoting organic food and farming, and includes a range of goods including biscuits, snacks and wines.