Meet Alfred, the man who inspired our massage balm

There are products that are born from an idea, a formula, or a specific need. And then there are those that carry a story. The Baume d’Alfred is one of them.

Behind its name hides a man we were lucky enough to know in Les Voëttes, in Les Ormonts, in the Diablerets valley. A neighbor, a mountain man, but above all someone whose stories, gestures, and knowledge of nature have stayed with us.

Today, this balm is a way to pay tribute to him.

---

In Les Voëttes, a neighbor we won't forget

Alfred had known the difficult life of a mountain farmer. A life measured by the seasons, animals, woods, and mountain work. He had spent years outdoors, working with wood, making cheese, observing nature, and living with it.

When we visited him, he was always waiting for us with a cup of hot tea. We would sit on his kitchen bench, by the corner of his stove, and the conversation would begin.

Alfred loved talking about his working life, discussing the mountains, and passing on the customs of that simple life he had known.

These moments seemed ordinary on the surface. And yet, they are often the ones I remember the longest.

---

Plants, conversations, and the desire to create

Nature was obviously a part of these conversations. In the mountains, plants have long accompanied daily life. We learned to recognize meadowsweet by the stream, St. John’s wort, elderberry; to know where they grew and how they were traditionally used. Alfred also knew these customs and habits passed down through generations.

As the years went by and the physical work took its toll, his joints began to ache. He had prepared plant macerates and potions in jars to soothe his painful knee. It was around these exchanges that the desire to imagine a massage balm inspired by this world of plants and traditional know-how was born.

At the heart of its formula: St. John’s wort macerate, a flower traditionally prized in massage preparations.

Little by little, the formula took shape and its name came naturally: it would be the Baume d’Alfred.

---

Alfred and Oskar, two generations in the mountains

Alfred had also created a special bond with my son Oskar. Two very different generations, brought together by curiosity, nature, and those simple moments spent outdoors.

He would show him the daffodils, inspect the fields, and share with him some of the customs that were part of his daily life.

These exchanges perhaps best illustrate what Alfred represented to us: someone who loved to pass things on. Not with great lectures. Simply by telling stories, showing things, and taking the time.

---

A beautiful story of transmission

Behind the Baume d’Alfred lies a story of plants, know-how, and life in the high pastures. A story of transmission, too.

Of the knowledge learned by observing nature, of the little gestures passed on without necessarily realizing it, and of the people who leave a trace long after they have gone.

Today, as we craft the Baume d’Alfred in our Bavois workshop, its name keeps a little piece of that history alive.

---

A balm designed for massage

The Baume d’Alfred is now a natural massage balm with St. John’s wort and 100% natural essential oils.

Its rich texture allows for long massages on areas of the body that need it, especially after an active day, a hike, gardening, or simply when the body calls for a little attention.

Take a small amount of the balm, warm it between your hands, then gently massage the desired area.

But beyond its formula, it will always remain a somewhat special product for us. Because it carries a first name. And behind that name, a real person.

Thank you, Fredy ♡

Fabienne - Founder of Cocooning Wellness

A simple tribute to a man of the mountains and all that he loved to pass on.

---

Your questions about the Baume d’Alfred

What is the Baume d’Alfred used for?

The Baume d’Alfred is a natural balm designed for massage. Its rich texture allows you to massage areas of the body that are tired after exercise or a long day.

Why does it contain St. John’s wort?

St. John’s wort is a plant traditionally used in macerates intended for massage. In the Baume d’Alfred, we use an organic St. John’s wort macerate integrated into the formula.

How do I use the Baume d’Alfred?

Take a small amount of the balm, warm it between your hands, then massage the desired area with steady movements until absorbed.

When should I use it?

After a hike, a workout, a day spent on your feet, or simply whenever you want to take a few minutes to massage your body.

Why is this balm named Alfred?

It bears the first name of Alfred, a mountain farmer we knew in Les Voëttes. His stories, his knowledge of nature, and the moments shared with him inspired the creation of this balm.

---

Discover our other natural balms

The Baume d’Alfred is part of our collection of natural plant-based balms, designed for various daily needs.

You can also discover our Baume des Fées with rosehip, our repairing balm for dry hands, or our Fleur de Calme massage balm.