Boldijarre Koronczay, owner founder of Eminence Organics gives his perspective on why biodynamic farming for skin care products results in the purest and most effective products.

Biodynamic principles are worth knowing about for anyone interested in organic living. While organic agriculture rejects the use of synthetic chemicals to improve the harvest or yield, biodynamic farming principles are even more stringent. Biodynamic methods are holistic and look to achieve self sufficiency by creating fertilizers for crops and food for animals through natural processes. The emphasis is on ‘putting back in what you take out’ and adding vitality to the plant, soil or livestock. Careful consideration of the earth’s natural rhythms is a key principle.

Linking the increasing incidence of cancers and auto-immune diseases to the food we eat, Boldijarre sees the way crops are farmed as all important. The introduction of synthetic fertilisers and chemical pesticides have clearly affected the ‘health’ of the food we eat, and in turn our own health is compromised.

Crop rotation is a key component of biodynamic and organic farming. It ensures nutrients from soil are not overly depleted. Different crops are grown each year according to how the plants grow. For example carrots, which grow close to the surface may be followed potatoes that grow deeper in the soil. In this way each crop draws its nutrients from a different depth of soil so that no single layer is over farmed.

Another interesting biodynamic method used on Boldijarre’s farm is replenishing the soil with part of the harvest. This means 20% of the fruit is chopped up and then worked back into the soil thus ensuring subsequent crops can benefit from those additional nutrients.

Instead of pesticides, biodynamic methods include using scented flowers to repel insects away from the crops. Honey traps and herbal teas sprayed on the crops are also used to prevent unwelcome pests.

Fruits are picked during full moon, and not for ethereal reasons. During full moons the gravitational pull means the soil is more moist and the fruit juicier, with more active available enzymes. This means the end products (in this case skin creams and moisturisers) are more effective and, Boldijarre believes, have a higher vitamin content.

Both biodynamic and organic farming methods work on the principle of maintaining the health of the environment in order to maximise the health of the crops. Techniques are very similar but biodynamic farming integrates a holistic approach that extends to every aspect of the farm. For further information on biodynamics visit www.biodynamic.org.uk.

Filed under: Organic Farming

Like this post? Subscribe to my RSS feed and get loads more!