History
200 Years of Tradition, Innovation, and SuccessImmerse yourself in two centuries of company history, beginning with a courageous Klosterfrau at Cologne Cathedral in 1826 and continuing to reach people worldwide today.
Discover the biography of Maria Clementine Martin, whose vision and entrepreneurial spirit laid the groundwork for a traditional company. Follow the company’s journey through our timeline to see how a small Cologne business evolved into an international group that successfully blends tradition and innovation.
The history of the Klosterfrau Group is more than just a corporate chronicle. It reflects German and European history, showcasing personal stories and demonstrating how vision and perseverance can endure for centuries.
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Founding Story
The Klosterfrau Group's history began 200 years ago with a visionary woman. Maria Clementine Martin’s transformation from a nun into a successful entrepreneur was influenced by historical events, personal courage, and business acumen.
Read on to learn more about the key milestones of her extraordinary life, from her early years in the convent, through the turmoil of the Napoleonic Wars, to the founding of a company that would endure for generations.
Maria Clementine Martin was an extraordinary individual—a nun, nurse, and successful entrepreneur. Born on May 5, 1775, she joined the St. Anna Convent in Coesfeld in 1792. There, she devoted herself to nursing and discovered her passion for herbal medicine. She perfected old recipes, developed new remedies, and traveled to other convents to apply her healing skills on behalf of her order.
Her expertise also took her to her birthplace of Brussels, where she produced the famous “authentic Carmelite or Melissa water.”
Secularization brought an end to her monastic life. Many convents were forced to hand over their property to the state. Maria Clementine Martin suddenly had to support herself independently.
A historic event would profoundly shape her life: the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. Amid the chaos of the battlefield, she courageously cared for wounded soldiers on both sides. Her extensive knowledge of medicinal plants aided the injured. In recognition of her selfless efforts, King Frederick William III honored her with the highest recognition and granted her an annual pension of 160 gold thalers, a modest sum that paved the way for her independence.
Backed by her modest pension, Maria Clementine Martin took an entrepreneurial step in 1826. She established her production business at the foot of Cologne Cathedral and officially registered it under the name "Maria Clementine Martin Klosterfrau."
Maria Clementine Martin was a medical expert and an entrepreneur. To protect her products from imitators, she devised a clever marketing strategy. She asked King Friedrich Wilhelm III for permission to use the Prussian coat of arms on her product labels. After receiving this honor in 1829, she officially registered the distinctive trademark with the Council of Trade Experts in Cologne in 1831.
Simultaneously, she expanded her business by opening sales offices in Bonn, Aachen, and Berlin. Today, the Prussian coat of arms adorns every bottle of Klosterfrau Melissengeist, a testament to her successful early branding strategy.
Maria Clementine Martin passed away on August 9, 1843. She had already laid a solid foundation for her business by then. Peter Gustav Schaeben, the founder’s former assistant, inherited her legacy. The Cologne-based company continued to thrive and receive international recognition. From the Düsseldorf World Exhibition in 1852 to the Melbourne World Exhibition in 1880, Klosterfrau products were consistently recognized for their quality and innovation.
Consul Wilhelm Doerenkamp – neuer Unternehmensinhaber (1929)
Graduate in business administration Paul Gräff joined the company as Chief Financial Officer in 1952.
The Klosterfrau company survived the First World War relatively unscathed. In 1929, Consul Wilhelm Döhrenkamp took over management and secured the company's future. Seeing himself as the guardian of Maria Clementine Martin’s legacy, Döhrenkamp modernized the company with foresight. In 1933, he bought the company from the Schaeben family.
Recognizing the power of modern advertising early on, he used outdoor campaigns, newspaper ads, and point-of-sale promotions. Under his leadership, the legendary slogan "Never was it so valuable as today" was created—a claim that remains relevant to this day.
The Second World War brought severe challenges. Starting in 1942, Cologne was the target of massive bombing raids that completely destroyed the Klosterfrau factory. Nevertheless, Wilhelm Dorenkamp and his employees demonstrated extraordinary determination. Immediately after the war ended, they began rebuilding and successfully reestablished the company.
In 1952, Paul Gräff, a Diplom-Kaufmann, joined the leadership team as Chief Financial Officer. His global corporate philosophy ushered in a new phase of growth. The product portfolio expanded, new markets opened, and the team was continuously strengthened. In 1964, Gräff became the company’s general representative.
To prepare the company for the future, Doerenkamp and Gräff initiated the establishment of subsidiaries around the world. This strategic diversification proved to be a forward-thinking decision. Gräff led the company until his death in 1997.
The Klosterfrau Group was fundamentally shaped by the visionary leadership and entrepreneurial foresight of Wilhelm Doerenkamp and Paul Gräff. Their influence on the company continues to this day.
Museum at the founding location in Cologne
The old distillery
Shaping the future. Preserving tradition.
Exhibits in the old reception area.
Timeline
200 Years of Company History – A Journey Through KlosterfrauTake a look at two centuries of company history. Our timeline guides you through the Klosterfrau Group's most significant milestones, from its founding by Maria Clementine Martin in 1826 to its current status as an international corporation.
1826 – Klosterfrau Cologne
The origin of everything. Maria Clementine Martin founded her company at the foot of Cologne Cathedral, which set the stage for 200 years of success.
1953 – Melisana Zurich
Founded in Basel, Melisana Consumer Health is now based in the heart of Zurich. The company specializes in over-the-counter remedies, dietary supplements, and cosmetic products for self-medication in Switzerland.
1955 – Klosterfrau Vienna
Klosterfrau has operated in Austria since 1955. Thanks to its trusted brands and continuously expanding product portfolio, its Vienna branch has become one of the country's leading providers of over-the-counter medications
1962 – Klosterfrau Berlin
To meet the growing demand, Klosterfrau Berlin GmbH was established as a subsidiary. Today, Klosterfrau Berlin GmbH serves as a central production site for lozenges, liquid preparations, and sterile gels.
1964 – Melisana Brussels
With over 60 years of experience marketing over-the-counter medicines in Belgium and Luxembourg, Melisana has become a key player in the Benelux region.
1970 – FARCO-PHARMA Cologne
As a global leader in sterile lubricants and installation therapies, FARCO-PHARMA has become a specialist in urology and related medical fields.
1981– Maria Galland Paris
Founded in 1962, Maria Galland Paris is a French cosmetics brand that revolutionized skincare with its Modeling Mosaic Method. This approach continues to influence the beauty industry today. Since 1981, Maria Galland Paris has been part of the Klosterfrau Group.
1996 – Artesan Lüchow
Founded in 1948, Artesan Pharma is a specialized contract manufacturing company that focuses on the flexible production of small- and medium-sized batches of pharmaceuticals. In 1996, Artesan Pharma joined the Klosterfrau Group.
2015 – Klosterfrau Warsaw
The establishment of the Polish subsidiary marks the company's entry into an important Eastern European market with significant growth potential. Although Klosterfrau Group products had been present in Poland for many years, the company did not establish its own entity until 2015. Since January 2017, MCM Klosterfrau Healthcare Sp. z o.o. has successfully distributed pharmaceuticals, medical products, and dietary supplements throughout Poland.
2016 – Klosterfrau Prague
Since 1994, Klosterfrau products have been successfully established in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. In 2016, Klosterfrau founded a subsidiary in Prague. The local team ensures the successful distribution of pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and dietary supplements.
Klosterfrau Group Today
From a One-Woman Business to an International GroupToday, the Klosterfrau Group encompasses companies in four strategic business areas: Consumer Healthcare, Medical, Contract Manufacturing, and Cosmetics.
With approximately 1,500 employees worldwide, the company has grown far beyond its origins. Although central services such as finance, controlling, human resources, and IT remain based in Cologne, where the company was founded, the operational business now spans Europe, North America, Asia, and Africa.
"The Klosterfrau Group is more than just Melissengeist. We are a modern company with strong roots and a clear vision."
"The Klosterfrau Group is more than just Melissengeist. We are a modern company with strong roots and a clear vision." This statement summarizes our current identity. Tradition and innovation equally shape our corporate culture, providing a valuable foundation for a successful future.
Today, the company is known for its unique blend of historical heritage and forward-thinking business sectors.
In 2026, the Klosterfrau Group will celebrate an extraordinary milestone: 200 years of company history.
200 Years of Klosterfrau
Two Centuries of Innovation and TraditionIn 2026, the Klosterfrau Group will celebrate an extraordinary milestone: 200 years of company history. What began with Maria Clementine Martin and her Melissengeist in 1826 has evolved into an impressive success story spanning two centuries of German and European history. Throughout this time, the company has remained true to its original mission of helping people through the power of nature.
From a Single Woman to an International Group
The Klosterfrau Group's journey has been shaped by visionary individuals, innovative products, and the courage to forge new paths. What began as a small business in Cologne has grown into a global enterprise.
For 200 years, Klosterfrau has earned the trust of millions of people who rely on our products. We represent two centuries of continuous innovation while preserving tradition. The past two hundred years of Klosterfrau mark the beginning of the third century of a company history that is far from over.
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The Klosterfrau Group Award
Since 2001, the International Klosterfrau Group Award for Research of Airway Diseases in Childhood has been awarded annually on the initiative of Prof. Dr. med. Dr. h.c. Dietrich Reinhardt, the International Klosterfrau Group Award for Research of Airway Diseases in Childhood has been awarded annually. Valued at 30,000 euros, the prize honors scientists whose research has significantly contributed to the basic research, diagnosis, and treatment of childhood asthma.