How do valerian and hop act against sleep disorders?

A healthy body and mind requires restful sleep. Insufficient sleep over long periods can therefore result in a substantial drop in productivity, impaired concentration and even psychosomatic illnesses.

In addition to drug-based treatment, there is a natural herbal ‘dream pair’ that has been used successfully since the 19th century in the treatment of sleep disorders. The sleep-promoting effects of valerian root are intensified through a combination with hop cones. In contrast to many synthetic active substances, the long-term use of the combination of active substances from valerian and hop has not any concern due to its high tolerability.

The combination of valerian root and hop cones (e.g., available in the preparation of Allunapret^®) has a sedative effect on the messenger compounds in the central nervous system and thus combats the anxiety and nervousness that can prevent restful sleep.

How does thyme act against colds?

Every year, lots of people catch colds and sometimes they spend weeks fighting against the symptoms. In addition to coughs, sniffles and blocked noses, they often also suffer from general fatigue, as well as the headaches and aching limbs caused by fever.

Nature provides us with a ’herbal allrounder’ that is particularly useful in the supporting treatment of respiratory tract diseases and that is known for its healing properties for diseases of the respiratory tract: thyme.

In combination with the medicinal herbs cowslip and ivy in Bronchipret^®, thyme promotes the healing process in cases of bronchitis, coughs or colds in a natural way, thanks to its antibacterial, mucolytic and anti-inflammatory properties.

Which medicinal plants are in the top 5 against colds and inflammation of the paranasal sinuses?

Cowslip (Primula veris L.)
The active substances extracted from the flowers and calyx, as well as from the root of the plant, combat viruses, promote expectoration of mucus from the respiratory tract and have an anti-inflammatory action.

Yellow gentian (Gentiana lutea L.)
Extracts from the root of the yellow gentian are mucolytic. The active substances can also be used in the treatment of gastric complaints.

Black elder (Sambucus nigra L.)
The substances in the flowers of the elder are mucolytic and are used to combat colds.

Sorrel (Rumex spec.)
Active substances extracted from the leaves and stem are mucolytic and anti-inflammatory. In addition, they stimulate the body’s immune system.

Verbena (Verbena officinalis L.)
The compounds extracted from the leaves and stem are mucolytic and combat viruses.

How does medicinal paprika help against sore throats?

Colds are often accompanied by inflammations of the throat and pharynx. This causes unpleasant scratching and burning in the throat and painful swallowing. Infections of the respiratory tract and, especially, inflammations of the throat, should not be taken lightly. An essentially harmless, but persistent, inflammation of the throat due to a cold virus can provide the basis for a severe disease.

In addition to some household remedies like cold compresses or a hot water bottle applied to the feet, the effective healing powers of medicinal paprika (also included in Tonsipret^®) can contribute towards combating the inflammation of the throat. Capsaicin, obtained from the dried paprika fruit, is an anti-inflammatory agent and a painkiller. This active substance is responsible for the spiciness of the fruit and triggers a reaction in the body, causing pain impulses to be transmitted from one nerve cell to the next one. It is this effect that is briefly perceived as a warm, tingling sensation on the tongue after taking Tonsipret^®. In addition, the substance encourages blood flow. During the further course of treatment, capsaicin causes desensitization of the pain receptors – the pain is blocked and the inflammatory reaction abated.

How does black cohosh help against menopausal complaints?

For many women, menopause is associated with unpleasant complaints like hot flushes, attacks of sweating, sleep disorders and nervousness. These symptoms do not need to be ‘put up with’, but can be treated. Herbal medicines have proven particularly effective in such cases due to their high tolerability.

Black cohosh is one of the most well-researched medicinal plants used in gynaecology and has been used as an effective treatment of the most common menopausal symptoms since time immemorial. Compounds from the rhizome of the plant, for example, used in Klimadynon^®, act similarly to the hormone oestrogen and provide relief from the symptoms of menopause.

How does monk’s pepper act against menstrual complaints?

A regular part of everyday life for a woman after puberty: menstruation. Just as every woman is different, so are the frequency, strength, duration and potentially unpleasant associated effects of the period. Some women only notice the start of their period when the first drops of blood appear, while several days beforehand others are already suffering from headaches or breast pain, migraine, mood swings, cravings for food, or water retention in the hands or feet – common symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS).

Herbal medicines containing an extract from monk’s pepper are an effective and gentle aid against these complaints. The herbal active substances act to regulate hormonal control and thus provide relief from the causes of PMS, like menstrual cycle disorders, breast pain or feelings of swelling and tension in the breast.

The active substances in monk’s pepper (for example, in Agnucaston® and Mastodynon^®) act on the menstrual cycle control mechanisms. Their action is very similar to that of the neurotransmitter dopamine and can thus reduce production of the hormone prolactin. Prolactin levels that are too high often cause irregular menstrual cycles and associated complaints. Monk’s pepper thus supports restoration of hormonal equilibrium. This harmonizes the rhythm of the menstrual cycle. Cycles that are too short or too long can be corrected and brought within the normal range.

What is the shelf life for a natural medicine?

The problem is almost always the same: Natural products change over time. This is a problem that we also have to address. After all, our medicines are based on herbal components. This is why the question of stability plays an important role as early on as during the development of a preparation. Are the components susceptible to the effects of light, air and humidity? What pharmaceutical form is particularly suitable? And finally: What minimum shelf life is actually meaningful?

The minimum shelf life determines how long the medicine can be used for. The company makes sure the medicines remain stable through complex manufacturing procedures and controls. We have enormous climate cabinets, temperature-controlled rooms and computer-monitored storage conditions in order to test - and guarantee - stability under very different conditions. We even have alarm systems that are set off immediately if, for example, the temperature changes. We not only test the ready-to-use medicine, but also test samples of the plant material that has been supplied and the extracts obtained from this material. But even this is not enough to satisfy us: We also investigate the stability of the products in different packaging materials. Established formulations and products are also tested repeatedly with reference to their shelf life. To this end, samples are subjected to complex laboratory tests at defined intervals, in order to allow us to recognize potential changes. Measurements are made every three months during the first year, every six during the second year and, thereafter, once a year. The investigation is only complete after five years.

This is the central thinking behind phytoneering: to be able to rely on quality at all times and in every aspect. And this is exactly what we make sure of.

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