VSM

What VSM does

VSM is a Netherlands-based manufacturer of natural health and homeopathic consumer products, operating as a brand under the private limited company Heel Biologische Geneesmiddelen B.V., headquartered in Terneuzen with roots in Axel. The company has over 100 years of heritage in homeopathic and herbal medicine, producing an OTC portfolio organized into four main lines: Derma Calendulan (Calendula officinalis-based skin care), Derma Cardiflor (Cardiospermum halicacabum-based products for sensitive and eczema-prone skin), VSM Kind (baby and child products including teething gel, bruise gel, chickenpox emulsion, and insect bite spray), and Spiroflor plus a set of classical homeopathic medicines (Arnica montana D6, Nisyleen, Okugest, Tonsiotreen). The technical foundation rests on plant-derived active ingredients cultivated in VSM's own Terra Medica medicinal garden, which serves as the botanical base for many products.

The business model is a traditional consumer health OTC operation. Products are sold without prescription through a broad Dutch retail channel network that includes the major drugstore chains (DA, Etos, Kruidvat, Trekpleister), the dominant supermarket Albert Heijn, and multiple online platforms (Bol.com, Adviesdrogisterij.nl, De Online Drogist, Gezondheid aan huis). Pricing is not publicly disclosed and the company uses a mix of content marketing, organic social (Facebook, Instagram), live chat, WhatsApp, and standard third-party web analytics (Google Analytics, Hotjar, Trengo, Facebook Pixel, Adform) to engage consumers. The customer base is segmented horizontally toward general Dutch consumers and families seeking natural, plant-based self-care for minor ailments and skin conditions across all age groups from newborns to adults. The company is small (11-50 employees), private, and tightly focused on the domestic Netherlands market with no disclosed international expansion, no parent company funding signals beyond the Heel B.V. legal structure, and no external investors.

Name

VSM

Legal name

Heel Biologische Geneesmiddelen B.V.

Website

https://vsm.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

1965

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

VSM is a Dutch natural health products company manufacturing homeopathic medicines and plant-based skin, baby, and muscle/joint care products, sold OTC through Dutch drugstores, supermarkets, and online retailers, operating as a brand under Heel Biologische Geneesmiddelen B.V.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Natural Health Products

NAICS

Soap and Cleaning Compound Manufacturing (32561)

SIC

Perfumes, Cosmetics & Other Toilet Preparations (2844)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYCRADAMAD

Cold, Flu, Cough & Allergy Remedies (Decongestants, Antihistamines, Cough Syrups, Lozenges)

Consumer Products & Retail/Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) Manufacturing & Brands/Health & Hygiene OTC Consumer Goods (First Aid, Oral Care, Personal Health)

SECONDARYCRADAMAJ

Sleep, Stress & Mood OTC (Sleep Aids, Melatonin OTC, Calm/Stress Relief)

Consumer Products & Retail/Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) Manufacturing & Brands/Health & Hygiene OTC Consumer Goods (First Aid, Oral Care, Personal Health)

Keywords

• Homeopathic medicines
• Natural skin care
• Herbal health products
• Baby care products
• Over-the-counter remedies

Headquarters

HQ city

Axel

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Distribution channels9 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

VSM manufactures and sells natural health products based on homeopathic and herbal medicine principles, using plant-derived active ingredients such as Calendula officinalis, Cardiospermum halicacabum, Arnica montana, and Ledum palustre. The portfolio includes skin care products (ointments, gels, creams, lotions, scar creams), homeopathic medicines (tablets, drops, lozenges), and specialized products for babies and children (teething gel, bruise gel, chickenpox emulsion, insect bite spray).

Product overview

VSM is a natural health products company with over 100 years of experience, producing homeopathic medicines and natural skin/hair/body care products. The product portfolio includes: (1) Derma Calendulan line - skin care products (ointment, gel, scar cream, lotion) using Calendula officinalis for various skin conditions; (2) Derma Cardiflor line - skin care products (ointment, crème, Forte crème) using Cardiospermum halicacabum for sensitive, dry, and eczema-prone skin; (3) VSM Kind (Children) product line - specialized products for babies and children including Chamodent tooth gel, Arnikind for bruises, Calendulan emulsion for chickenpox, and Prrrikweg for insect bites; (4) Spiroflor line - products for muscles and joints including warm ointment, Spiroflor SRL crème and gel; (5) Homeopathic medicines including Arnica montana D6 tablets, Tonsiotreen lozenges, Nisyleen drops/tablets, and Okugest tablets. All products are based on natural ingredients and support the body's self-healing ability.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Derma Calendulan zalf Skin ointment containing Calendula officinalis for the care of rough, chapped skin, cracks, and cracked nipples. Targeted at general consumers for self-care skin treatment.
• Derma Calendulan gel Cooling skin gel with natural Calendula officinalis supporting the skin's natural recovery; suitable for all ages.
• Derma Calendulan littekencrème Scar cream for the care of new and existing scars, formulated with Calendula officinalis.
• Derma Calendulan lotion Cooling and hydrating skin lotion with Calendula officinalis, Hamamelis virginiana, and camphor; suitable from age 2.
• Derma Cardiflor zalf Ointment containing Cardiospermum halicacabum (balloon vine) that hydrates and protects sensitive and very dry skin; also suitable for eczema-prone skin.
• Derma Cardiflor crème Plant-based cream without animal ingredients for the care of sensitive and dry skin, formulated with Cardiospermum halicacabum.
• Derma Cardiflor Forte crème Intensive skin care cream with an extra concentration of Cardiospermum halicacabum that hydrates and soothes eczema-prone skin.
• VSM Kind Chamodent tandgel Tooth gel for babies and children that cares for and soothes gums during teething.
• VSM Kind Arnikind Vallen en stoten gel First-aid gel formulated for children for the care of bruises after falls or bumps.
• VSM Kind Calendulan kinderemulsie Emulsion for skin care after chickenpox, with Calendula officinalis, camphor, Hamamelis virginiana, and avocado oil; usable from birth.
• VSM Kind Prrrikweg spray Spray for babies and children that quickly soothes and cools skin after insect stings, jellyfish stings, nettle contact, or oak processionary caterpillar contact; usable from birth.
• Spiroflor warm Warming ointment supporting flexibility and recovery of muscles and tendons after sport.
• Spiroflor SRL Spier- en gewrichtscrème Homeopathic cream for muscles and joints with Ledum palustre, applied according to homeopathic principles.
• Spiroflor SRL Spier- en gewrichtsgel Homeopathic gel for muscle and joint care.
• Arnica montana D6 tabletten Homeopathic tablets containing Arnica montana, prepared according to homeopathic principles to stimulate the body's natural self-healing ability.
• Tonsiotreen zuigtabletten Homeopathic lozenges formulated for throat support.
• Nisyleen druppels Homeopathic drops formulated for respiratory support.
• Nisyleen tabletten Homeopathic tablets formulated for respiratory support.
• Okugest tabletten Homeopathic tablets formulated for digestive support.
• Prrrikweg gel Gel for soothing insect bites and stings.
• Prrrikweg roller Roller-format application for soothing insect bites and stings.

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct peers

• Boiron: World's largest manufacturer of homeopathic medicines, producing oral homeopathic remedies and OTC self-care products across categories (cough/cold, pain, baby care). Closely comparable to VSM in core homeopathic principle, OTC distribution, and self-care positioning.
• Nelsons: UK-based maker of homeopathic and natural self-care remedies (Rescue Remedy, Spatone, Bach). Comparable OTC self-care product structure and pharmacy retail positioning to VSM.
• A. Vogel / Bioforce: Swiss manufacturer of plant-based medicinal and self-care products (A. Vogel brand). Comparable to VSM in botanical/herbal self-care categories including respiratory, digestive, and topical derma across European pharmacy retail.
• Schwabe Pharmaceuticals: Major German manufacturer specializing in phytopharmaceuticals and homeopathic preparations. Comparable product mix (botanical/homeopathic tablets, drops, topical) and pharmacy-led OTC distribution to VSM.
• DHU (Deutsche Homöopathie-Union): German manufacturer of homeopathic medicines (globuli, tablets, drops, ointments). Directly comparable to VSM's homeopathic oral and topical portfolio and its OTC pharmacy distribution model in the DACH region.
• Wala Heilmittel: Producer of anthroposophic medicines and natural cosmetics with its own medicinal garden. Mirrors VSM's Terra Medica concept, plant-based formulations, and pharmacy-channel self-care range.
• Weleda: Swiss-based producer of natural cosmetics, derma-care, and anthroposophic/homeopathic medicines with plant-derived Calendula, Arnica and similar botanicals. Overlaps VSM on Calendula-led derma, baby care, and natural self-care channels (pharmacy/drugstore).

Broad incumbents

• Heel Group: Parent group of VSM's operator (Heel Biologische Geneesmiddelen B.V.); major German homeopathic pharmaceutical company with broader international product portfolio and R&D. Larger incumbent operating in the same natural/homeopathic category, with VSM effectively the Dutch consumer brand within the group.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xfacebook.com/vsmnederland
• Facebookfacebook.com/vsmnederland
• Instagraminstagram.com/vsmnederland
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/vsmnederland

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about VSM