Uriach was founded in Barcelona, Spain, by the first generation of the Uriach family. From 1838 to 1879, the company ran a small chemist’s shop specialising in health-related products and medicinal plants. Since its beginnings, Uriach has remained a family-owned business, and today members of the fifth and sixth generations continue to play an active role in its ownership and governance.

At the same time, in Germany, the town of Bad Ems emerged as one of Europe’s leading centres for thermal waters. In 1858, the spa physician and pharmacist came up with the idea of pressing lozenges from the salt powder left over in the inhalatorium. This led to the creation of the first Emser lozenge, designed to relieve sore throats and hoarseness.

In 1873, pharmacist Samuel Benoni Siegfried founded the pharmaceutical company Siegfried, which bore his name, in Zofingen (Switzerland). From this company the firm and brand Sidroga® (“Siegfried Drogerie- und Apothekendienst”) eventually emerged, which went on to become the leading medicinal tea brand in Germany and Switzerland.

In Spain, under the leadership of the second and third generations of the Uriach family, the company expanded its activities into the distribution of medicinal products and established its own R&D laboratory. Throughout the late 1800s and early 1900s, the Uriach family traditionally collaborated with a wide range of artists to develop product advertising, resulting in distinctive and visually striking graphic pieces. Visit Uriach's page in Google Arts and Culture to learn more about our history and graphic artworks.

Early in this period, in 1895, the Pascoe business was founded in a German pharmacy, laying the foundations for a brand rooted in pharmaceutical expertise.

During the early to mid‑20th century, many of Uriach’s landmark Spanish brands were created, including Nico‑Hepatocyn, formulated with artichoke extract, and Biodramina, a treatment for motion sickness, launched in 1952.

In Spain, the fourth generation of the Uriach family expanded its pharmaceutical operations and invested heavily in R&D of New Chemical Entities, capitalising on the opportunities available in the traditional pharma business for natural products. In Germany, the historic brands Emser, Sidroga and Pascoe continued their expansion. Landmark Pascoe products such as the Pascorbin range of intravenous vitamins were successfully launched during the 1960s.

In 1973, Dr Daniel Hausmann Montaner created the brand Aquilea in a pharmacy in Barcelona. The brand pioneered a scientific approach to phytotherapy by combining medicinal herbs with pharmaceutical principles. The brand’s name is based on the scientific name of the yarrow plant (Achillea millefolium), known for its health benefits. Aquilea was acquired by Uriach in 2005.

During this period, several important Uriach brands were created across Europe. In Italy, Laborest entered the nutraceuticals market in 1996 with Tiobec, a brand that remains a key pillar of the company’s portfolio to this day. Laboratoires Copmed, was founded in western France in 1993, and focused its activities on designing natural products for naturopaths. In southern France, the brand Pediakid was launched in 2003, and went on to become France’s leading brand of natural products for children. ​

A professionalized family company​

The fifth generation of the Uriach family initiated the company’s professionalization by appointing its first non-family CEO. From 2010 onward, Uriach entered a phase of exponential growth, repositioning its business toward Natural Consumer Healthcare across Europe. This strategic transformation culminated in 2021 with the divestment of its chemical factory. In 2022, the sixth generation of the Uriach family enters the governance of the business and in 2023, the specialized investment fund ICG joins the company’s capital.

Italy and Portugal

In 2015, Uriach acquires Laborest, an Italian pioneer in innovative nutraceuticals. Laborest specializes in creating nutraceuticals for health practicioners, mainly in the areas of neurology, traumatology, pediatrics and gynecology. Uriach launched the brands Fisiocrem and Aquilea on the Portuguese market in 2015, consolidating its presence in 2017 through the acquisition of the Portuguese company Theralab, owner of the local brand Depuralina.

Germany and Central Europe​

In 2021, Uriach acquires the company Sidroga GmbH (Bad Ems, Germany), owner of the brands Sidroga medicinal teas and Emser respiratory products. Pascoe GmbH (Giessen, Germany) was acquired in 2024. Thanks to these acquisitions, Uriach gained direct commercial presence in Switzerland, Austria, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. ​

France, Belgium, Romania and Greece​

Acquisition of Laboratoires Ineldéa (Carros and Chauray, France) owner of emblematic brands in the French and Belgian market such as Pediakid (French leader in natural health products for children), Olioseptil (essential oils), STC Nutrition (sports nutrition & weight control), ISN (micronutrition), and Laboratoires Copmed (food supplements for naturopaths). Acquisition of Medimow (Romania, 2024) and Ipharma (Greece, 2025), two dynamic start ups which had previously been Uriach distributors.​

Uriach today is a company focused in Natural Consumer Health, that believes in the power of nature, enhanced by science, is the most effective and sustainable way to improve human health and well-being. Uriach is today present in 12 European markets, and exports to more than 80 countries. Uriach’s headquarters are currently located in Sant Cugat, near the city of Barcelona.​