The company had its roots in the 19th Century and was a result of many mergers and takeovers of small health related firms. Matthews & Wilson LTD was founded in 1894 but Castle Huskisson, makers of Cantassium, was much earlier. In the early to mid nineteenth century most health companies were operated from behind or close to pharmacies or apothecaries. Many firms became famous for their one special remedy.

Dr Robert Woodward, a pharmacist and chemist, joined his father in 1962 and decided to change the family’s generic pharmaceutical manufacturing company (Matthews & Wilson) into a brand owning one. Initially there were one or two brands of pharmaceutical products and Abel’s veterinary range but, with the advent of the Medicines Act 1968, the company changed to concentrate on the herbal and health food and appliance areas.

Cantassium (a health tablet) and Blakoe (a health appliance – male potency) were purchased in 1969 and soon after Omniped (a foot appliance) and Aquamaid (a breast enlargement device). The BGP Cosmetics brands, including Lipcote, joined the group soon after as did Slimswift. Alternative Medicine was growing in popularity but the restrictions on marketing in the area were very burdensome. Regulatory authorities banned thousands of herbal remedies and companies closed. The Advertising Standards Authority provided plenty of headaches for the company. Nevertheless it continued to grow with the introduction of many innovative tablets, creams, capsules and powders which were marketed to retailers in the UK, export distributors in many countries as well as direct to consumers via mail order. The company became known as “Larkhall Natural Health” in 1986. 

In the late 1970s special diet foods under the “Trufree” brand were invented by Rita Greer, an associate of Dr Woodward, and these have subsequently became brand leaders in their field. Rita’s skills as an artist and copywriter were influential in the company’s growth in the 1980s. Her unique symbol system placed on many products helped enhance the profile of the Cantassium and Trufree brands.

In 1993 Larkhall Natural Health took over Green Farm (a natural vitamin firm) and the title “Larkhall Green Farm” was adopted.

Dr Woodward was always interested in research and many clinical trials were undertaken into the efficacy of the company’s products. Much controversy often followed publication of these researches and once the entire vitamin shelves in retailers were cleared when media stories generated consumer hysteria. Subsequent reaction from the establishment caused Woodward some stress and problems. His belief in alternative healthcare remained undiminished and today he advises the Foresight preconception charity and helps to promote the natural health cause.

In 1999 the profile of the company stimulated the sale of the manufacturing unit and brands including Trufree to a multinational company. Dr Woodward retired but he left the family with the Lipcote and Blakoe brands. In 2003 the multinational company withdrew from the vitamin market but continued in the medical diet field. Cantassium was restored to the Woodward family but Dr Woodward’s successors, known once more as Matthews & Wilson Ltd., have not developed it.

For enquiries regarding the history of Larkhall and the collection please e-mail Dr Robert Woodward: robertwoodwardlnh@dr.com