Kneipp, the herbal brand born in Germany (operated in Japan by Kneipp Japan Co., Ltd., headquartered in Yokohama, Kanagawa), is launching its medicated bath salt "Kneipp Bath Salt White Birch Scent (quasi-drug)" nationwide from September 1, 2026 (Tuesday).
Kneipp develops its products based on the philosophy of "Kneipp therapy," a natural therapy that originated in 19th-century Germany. Exercise therapy, one of the pillars of Kneipp therapy, incorporates forest walks, and forest bathing has long been cherished in Germany as a healthy habit for balancing mind and body. In recent years, as diversifying lifestyles and information overload have made everyday mental and physical fatigue more common, this product was created from the wish to help people recover mind and body during their daily bath time, as if forest bathing.
Blended with white birch extract1 and natural pine (matsu) essential oil2, the product offers a refreshing scent reminiscent of taking a deep breath in the forest, while the warming effect of bathing supports everyday fatigue recovery.
During the pre-sale that began on April 27th, the product recorded the highest shipment volume of any Kneipp pre-sale product to date, drawing a strong response.
People who tried the product shared comments such as "I felt relaxed, as if I were forest bathing," "I started sweating after about 10 minutes, and felt thoroughly warmed and refreshed," and "The tiredness from today's gym session melted right away" — reporting not only the forest-bathing-like scent but also a real sense of bodily warmth and fatigue recovery.
As the season turns and fatigue from summer heat and the temperature swings of air conditioning tends to linger, Kneipp proposes a "forest recovery bath time": wrapped in a refreshing scent reminiscent of forest bathing, slowly warming the body and resetting the day's fatigue.
"It Felt Like Forest Bathing," "My Tiredness Just Melted Away" — Praise Since the Pre-Sale
Since the pre-sale began on April 27th, people who tried the product have shared praise not only for the refreshing, forest-bathing-like scent created by White Birch and Pine, but also for the sense of warmth during bathing and the comfortable feeling of resetting daily fatigue.
Comments also included, "Recommended for people who don't like sweet scents or want something refreshing in summer," and "I'm glad I can enjoy the scent of white birch essential oil in my bath every day" — making it an item people can enjoy recovering mind and body with, from the lingering summer heat through the fall bathing season.
Comments from people who tried the product during the pre-sale:
"I felt relaxed, as if I were forest bathing"
"The scent is said to recreate the refreshing air of a German forest with white birch and pine, and I felt relaxed while bathing, as if I were forest bathing."
"The tiredness from today's gym session melted right away"
"I tried a 15-minute full-body soak. I started sweating after about 10 minutes, and it warmed me thoroughly and left me feeling refreshed. The tiredness from today's gym session melted right away."
"A woodsy scent that makes you want to take a deep breath"
"The deep, woodsy scent with woody and herbal notes makes you want to take a deep breath, and the crisp, herb-like freshness is soothing. Recommended for people who don't like sweet scents or want something refreshing in summer."
"My body warmed up thoroughly"
"I soaked in slightly lukewarm 40-degree water, and I started sweating heavily after about 10 minutes. By around 15 minutes, I was warmed up enough to switch to a half-body soak."
"I'm glad I can enjoy it during my daily bath time"
"I love the scent of white birch essential oil, but I rarely got the chance to enjoy it, so being able to use it during my daily bath time is wonderful."
*Comments are excerpted and edited from posts shared on social media during the pre-sale period.
*These are individual impressions.
What Is "Phytoncide," the Compound Behind the Forest-Bathing Effect?
"Phytoncide" is a natural fragrance compound released by trees and other plants to protect themselves from external threats. It is said to be the source of the crisp, clear air felt when stepping into a forest. Forest bathing feels pleasant because phytoncide spreads through the air; this plant-derived natural compound is known to freshen the surrounding space while guiding mind and body toward relaxation.
Kneipp focused on phytoncide, this gift from the forest, and incorporated it into the formulation of this product so that people can feel a forest-bathing-like sense of comfort at home while supporting fatigue recovery.
Two Natural Herbs That Recreate the Fresh Air of a German Forest for Recovery
White Birch*1
Growing in Asia, Siberia, Europe, and other regions, white birch is known for its pure white tree-lined groves and fresh green leaves. The extract from its bark supports fatigue recovery and cough relief, with a refreshing scent that revitalizes mind and body.
*Pine (Matsu)2
A conifer found in regions such as Northern Europe and Siberia, pine is rich in phytoncide and refreshes mind and body. It has a lively scent that brings vitality to both.
Recommended Bathing Method
Soaking in a bath offers three benefits for mind and body.
① The warming effect opens pores, releasing impurities from the body as sweat
② Hydrostatic pressure promotes circulation of blood and body fluids
③ The relaxing effect of buoyancy helps relieve fatigue
POINT 1: Keep the water at a lukewarm 38–40°C
POINT 2: Soak slowly for about 10–15 minutes
POINT 3: Soak your whole body up to the shoulders*3
"Kneipp Bath Salt White Birch Scent (Quasi-Drug)" Product Overview
850g for ¥2,600 / 50g for ¥200 (tax excluded) [Quasi-drug]
A medicated bath salt blended with white birch extract1 and natural pine (matsu) essential oil2. It offers a refreshing white birch woodland scent, as if walking through a forest, along with active ingredients that support mental rest and physical fatigue recovery.
A forest-retreat bath time, with a forest-bathing scent and warming bath effect to recover from everyday fatigue.
*1 White birch extract (moisturizing ingredient)
*2 Included in the fragrance
*3 For longer baths, a half-body soak up to the chest is recommended to reduce strain on the body.
Effects/Efficacy:
Fatigue recovery, stiff shoulders, neuralgia, poor circulation, lower back pain, prickly heat, rough skin, bruises, sprains, eczema, chilblains, hemorrhoids, rheumatism, chapped skin, cracked skin, poor circulation before and after childbirth, acne
Special Site:
https://www.kneipp.com/jp_ja/lp/white-birch/
Rock Salt and Natural Herbal Essential Oils Selected to Kneipp's Strict Standards
This product uses rock salt carefully selected for its compatibility with the blended natural herbs, so their effect can be felt to the fullest. Essential oils extracted from plant-derived natural herbs are then infused into the salt to complete the bath salt.
Wrapped in the herbs' genuine scent, it offers a recovery bath time to restore a tired body.
About Kneipp
Kneipp is a herbal brand born from "Kneipp therapy," a philosophy advocated by Sebastian Kneipp, a German priest and naturopath, in the late 19th century.
This therapy, which draws on the power of nature — water and plants (herbs) — to balance mind and body, remains widely known today across Germany and Europe.
Building on this philosophy, Kneipp has spent over 130 years pursuing the power of plants (herbs) as a natural expert, backed by scientific knowledge, and continues to develop products focused on the functionality of naturally derived ingredients. Headquartered in Würzburg, Germany, Kneipp is now a global brand operating in 30 countries, supporting people's everyday wellbeing so they can enjoy life to the fullest.
Kneipp's Promise
○ Uses plant-derived ingredients (plant oils, plant extracts)
○ Preservative-free (no parabens)
○ Free of paraffin, silicone, and mineral oil
○ Skin compatibility tested
*This does not guarantee that allergic reactions will not occur in all individuals
○ Committed to resource-conscious, environmentally friendly production
○ Kneipp does not conduct animal testing on its products
