Ita Wegman

Ita Wegman, MD (1876�1943) was co-responsible for founding Anthroposophical Medicine alongside Rudolf Steiner. Born in the Dutch East Indies, she trained in gymnastics and massage and later medicine. She founded the first anthroposophical medical clinic (now the Ita Wegman Clinic), created a gentle form of massage therapy (Rhythmical Massage), and developed a cancer treatment following indications from Steiner based on mistletoe (Iscador). She also founded a therapeutic home for mentally handicapped children (Haus Sonnenhof) and co-founded a pharmaceutical laboratory (Weleda), that is now a major producer of medicines and healthcare products. In 1923 Ita Wegman joined the Executive Council of the newly reformed Anthroposophical Society at the Goetheanum in Dornach, Switzerland, where she directed the Medical Section. Wegman and Steiner co-authored Extending Practical Medicine, which gives an introduction and theoretical basis to Anthroposophical Medicine.