Rewrite and translate this title I got a mushroom facial from the world’s first CBD and adaptogenic spa to Japanese between 50 and 60 characters. Do not include any introductory or extra text; return only the title in Japanese.

“Are you grieving?” Catarina Oliveira, co-founder and CEO of the adaptogenic skincare brand Herbar, asks me. We’re in Zermatt, Switzerland, to celebrate and experience Herbar’s latest venture: a collaboration with the active-wellbeing hotel Schloss Zermatt on the world’s first-ever CBD and adaptogenic spa. At dinner, co-founders, Oliveira and Rui Liu, serve a mushroom-rich menu featuring adaptogenic congee filled with collagen (an adaptogen, for those who don’t know, is a natural substance, such as a plant, that helps the body adapt to physical, chemical or biological stress).

They also conduct tongue readings and explore our birth charts. Initially, it feels amusing – perhaps even absurd – to stick out my tongue like a child at a formal dinner. But curiosity wins, and my dinner companions and I oblige. “Your tongue is very pale,” observes Oliveira, who holds a master’s degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). “It’s an indication that you are very cold. Are you grieving?” she asks gently. Her words stun me. The past weekend had marked the second anniversary of my childhood friend’s passing, a sadness I had been processing privately. Yet Oliveira had discerned it just by examining my tongue.

Rather than recommending products for my “coldness,” which Oliveira associates with deep sadness, she offered holistic advice to reignite the fire within me: “Drink hot drinks, eat spicy foods, and do cardio-intensive exercise – something to get your heart moving, not yoga.”

Although Herbar, founded in 2023, is a skincare brand, its philosophy is rooted in ancient rituals adapted for modern beauty and wellness. Their signature Gua-Shroom tool exemplifies this approach, encouraging lymphatic drainage, improved circulation, pain relief and stress management. This tool is a central feature of their facials at Schloss. “Our approach is rooted in the belief that wellness is a continuum – a dynamic interplay between time-honoured traditions and cutting-edge research,” Oliveira says. “This philosophy influences not just our formulations but also our overall approach to skincare and beauty. With both Rui and I rooted in TCM, its timeless wisdom naturally guides our process. TCM has been a trusted ally for centuries in promoting both beauty and well-being, and we’re always inspired by its ability to harmonise modern needs with ancient practices.”

Herbar’s collaboration with Schloss Zermatt is based on a shared commitment to traditional, holistic wellness that prioritises how one treats their body. While the trip revolved around Herbar’s full facial treatments, such as “Make Me Glow” for radiance, “Detox & Go” for purifying, and the “360 Sculpting Facial” for toning and lifting, using their all natural products including their Face Oil, Face Nectar, Barrier Balm and ingestible Skin Pearls – it was also about mental and physical wellbeing. This broader focus led to a hike through the Alps, guided by mountaineer and yogi Tonya Rosier, formerly the director of gender and women’s health at the World Health Organisation (WHO). “In my previous line of work, I helped women. I do the same now as a mountaineer, but in a different way,” Rosier remarked during the trek.

The landscape was stunning: clear blue skies, snowy peaks and crisp air. Zermatt prohibits fossil fuel cars, reducing both noise and air pollution. Occasionally, we heard the passing train, but otherwise, the sounds were limited to snow crunching underfoot and the sight of deer tracks. The hike was physically demanding, but it was the type of exertion that leaves your body grateful afterwards. “Schloss Zermatt’s approach to creating transformative wellness experiences aligned perfectly with our mission of weaving the power of fungi, adaptogens, and potent botanical extracts into rituals that nurture both body and mind,” Oliveira informs me. “Together, we hope to set a new standard for wellness – one that is thoughtful, intentional and deeply rooted in nature.”

The trip felt surreal, from the breathtaking views of the Matterhorn to the vegan cuisine, restorative facials, yoga sessions and immersive hikes. Yet, it left me reflecting on accessibility. Zermatt is a luxurious ski destination whose sustainability measures, like banning cars, uphold its pristine environment. However, such “privileges” are largely reserved for those of higher socioeconomic status. Doesn’t everyone deserve access to clean air, the freedom to engage in physical activities for health and the time to experience relaxation?

The wellness industry often promotes self-care through indulgent products and treatments, but what many people need is systemic change: more free time, affordable healthcare, and access to clean environments. When Herbar was founded, Oliveira and Liu envisioned making fungi and adaptogens accessible to all. However, their foray into luxury wellness spaces highlights a tension between exclusivity and inclusivity. “While our partnership with luxury spaces like Schloss Zermatt reflects our commitment to elevating adaptogens and fungi within high-touch wellness experiences, we are equally focused on accessibility,” Oliveira professes. “We actively work to bridge the gap by offering products at various price points, sharing free educational content about TCM, medicinal mushrooms, and adaptogens, and engaging in collaborations that bring wellness beyond luxury contexts.”

She continues, “That said, the rarity and quality of our raw materials have meant pricing our products higher than we initially hoped, a tough compromise, as exclusivity was never part of our mission. We understand that this may make Herbar feel out of reach for some, which is why participating in Black Friday and Cyber Monday is important to us.”

My time at Schloss Zermatt with Herbar was one of the most relaxing experiences of my life. Together, they’ve created something extraordinary – a powerful reminder that wellness goes beyond products; it’s about movement, nourishment, and truly connecting with your body. The experience felt like a dream, but such dream-like moments shouldn’t be reserved for a lucky few. Hopefully, one day, they can become a reality for more people, especially those who need them most.

“Are you grieving?” Catarina Oliveira, co-founder and CEO of the adaptogenic skincare brand Herbar, asks me. We’re in Zermatt, Switzerland, to celebrate and experience Herbar’s latest venture: a collaboration with the active-wellbeing hotel Schloss Zermatt on the world’s first-ever CBD and adaptogenic spa. At dinner, co-founders, Oliveira and Rui Liu, serve a mushroom-rich menu featuring adaptogenic congee filled with collagen (an adaptogen, for those who don’t know, is a natural substance, such as a plant, that helps the body adapt to physical, chemical or biological stress).

They also conduct tongue readings and explore our birth charts. Initially, it feels amusing – perhaps even absurd – to stick out my tongue like a child at a formal dinner. But curiosity wins, and my dinner companions and I oblige. “Your tongue is very pale,” observes Oliveira, who holds a master’s degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). “It’s an indication that you are very cold. Are you grieving?” she asks gently. Her words stun me. The past weekend had marked the second anniversary of my childhood friend’s passing, a sadness I had been processing privately. Yet Oliveira had discerned it just by examining my tongue.

Rather than recommending products for my “coldness,” which Oliveira associates with deep sadness, she offered holistic advice to reignite the fire within me: “Drink hot drinks, eat spicy foods, and do cardio-intensive exercise – something to get your heart moving, not yoga.”

Although Herbar, founded in 2023, is a skincare brand, its philosophy is rooted in ancient rituals adapted for modern beauty and wellness. Their signature Gua-Shroom tool exemplifies this approach, encouraging lymphatic drainage, improved circulation, pain relief and stress management. This tool is a central feature of their facials at Schloss. “Our approach is rooted in the belief that wellness is a continuum – a dynamic interplay between time-honoured traditions and cutting-edge research,” Oliveira says. “This philosophy influences not just our formulations but also our overall approach to skincare and beauty. With both Rui and I rooted in TCM, its timeless wisdom naturally guides our process. TCM has been a trusted ally for centuries in promoting both beauty and well-being, and we’re always inspired by its ability to harmonise modern needs with ancient practices.”

Herbar’s collaboration with Schloss Zermatt is based on a shared commitment to traditional, holistic wellness that prioritises how one treats their body. While the trip revolved around Herbar’s full facial treatments, such as “Make Me Glow” for radiance, “Detox & Go” for purifying, and the “360 Sculpting Facial” for toning and lifting, using their all natural products including their Face Oil, Face Nectar, Barrier Balm and ingestible Skin Pearls – it was also about mental and physical wellbeing. This broader focus led to a hike through the Alps, guided by mountaineer and yogi Tonya Rosier, formerly the director of gender and women’s health at the World Health Organisation (WHO). “In my previous line of work, I helped women. I do the same now as a mountaineer, but in a different way,” Rosier remarked during the trek.

The landscape was stunning: clear blue skies, snowy peaks and crisp air. Zermatt prohibits fossil fuel cars, reducing both noise and air pollution. Occasionally, we heard the passing train, but otherwise, the sounds were limited to snow crunching underfoot and the sight of deer tracks. The hike was physically demanding, but it was the type of exertion that leaves your body grateful afterwards. “Schloss Zermatt’s approach to creating transformative wellness experiences aligned perfectly with our mission of weaving the power of fungi, adaptogens, and potent botanical extracts into rituals that nurture both body and mind,” Oliveira informs me. “Together, we hope to set a new standard for wellness – one that is thoughtful, intentional and deeply rooted in nature.”

The trip felt surreal, from the breathtaking views of the Matterhorn to the vegan cuisine, restorative facials, yoga sessions and immersive hikes. Yet, it left me reflecting on accessibility. Zermatt is a luxurious ski destination whose sustainability measures, like banning cars, uphold its pristine environment. However, such “privileges” are largely reserved for those of higher socioeconomic status. Doesn’t everyone deserve access to clean air, the freedom to engage in physical activities for health and the time to experience relaxation?

The wellness industry often promotes self-care through indulgent products and treatments, but what many people need is systemic change: more free time, affordable healthcare, and access to clean environments. When Herbar was founded, Oliveira and Liu envisioned making fungi and adaptogens accessible to all. However, their foray into luxury wellness spaces highlights a tension between exclusivity and inclusivity. “While our partnership with luxury spaces like Schloss Zermatt reflects our commitment to elevating adaptogens and fungi within high-touch wellness experiences, we are equally focused on accessibility,” Oliveira professes. “We actively work to bridge the gap by offering products at various price points, sharing free educational content about TCM, medicinal mushrooms, and adaptogens, and engaging in collaborations that bring wellness beyond luxury contexts.”

She continues, “That said, the rarity and quality of our raw materials have meant pricing our products higher than we initially hoped, a tough compromise, as exclusivity was never part of our mission. We understand that this may make Herbar feel out of reach for some, which is why participating in Black Friday and Cyber Monday is important to us.”

My time at Schloss Zermatt with Herbar was one of the most relaxing experiences of my life. Together, they’ve created something extraordinary – a powerful reminder that wellness goes beyond products; it’s about movement, nourishment, and truly connecting with your body. The experience felt like a dream, but such dream-like moments shouldn’t be reserved for a lucky few. Hopefully, one day, they can become a reality for more people, especially those who need them most.