Barbara Weber
DemoNaturheilkunde Weber
- 4.7(3)
- Basel
- Languages: de
NaturopathyTraditional European Medicine (TEM)Herbal medicine (phytotherapy)
EMREGK therapist registerSwiss federal diploma
- Price
- CHF 63–145
- Next appointment
- Available from tomorrow
Herbal medicine (phytotherapy)
Phytotherapy is treatment with medicinal plants, for example as tea, tincture, tablets or ointment. Well-known examples are valerian, lemon balm, peppermint and chamomile. Unlike in homeopathy, the plant substances are present in measurable amounts; in Switzerland many herbal medicines are authorised by Swissmedic.
- therapists
- 8
- session length
- 30–60 min
Therascout does not diagnose. Have new, severe or persistent complaints checked by a doctor first. In an emergency: 144
Origin and approach
Medicinal plants are among the oldest remedies of all and are known in every culture. Modern phytotherapy combines this traditional knowledge with research on active ingredients, dosage and quality. For some plants there are indications from studies; for many traditional uses there are none.
What a session is like
Length: 30–60 min- The therapist or doctor asks about your complaints, previous illnesses and all medication you take.
- Together you choose which plants are suitable and in what form.
- You receive clear instructions on dose and duration, and sometimes a tea blend or tincture made up for you.
- After a few weeks you review whether the treatment suits you or should be adjusted.
Herbal medicine (phytotherapy): what is it used for?
- Sleep problems and difficulty settling down.
- Stress and nervous tension.
- Digestive complaints such as bloating or feeling overfull.
- Menstrual complaints and menopause symptoms.
- Frequent infections, here mainly based on tradition.
For the other uses there are still only a few studies, with mixed results.
How well is the effect supported?
Complaints for which this method is commonly used, sorted by the state of research. The rating shows how well the effect is supported, not whether it will help you.
What do the dots mean?How to read the rating
- Established
- recommended in guidelines, well studied
- Partly supported
- effect shown in studies, with limitations
- Limited evidence
- few or weak studies
- Hardly studied
- used, but hardly or not studied
The rating covers the research, not the therapist.
- Partly supported
Allergies and hay fever
A butterbur extract worked about as well as a common antihistamine in studies.
- Partly supported
Digestive complaints
Herbal combination products such as STW 5 relieve functional dyspepsia better than placebo in studies.
- Partly supported
Low mood and depression
St John's wort worked better than placebo and about as well as antidepressants.
- Limited evidence
Frequent infections
Echinacea showed at most small effects in preventing colds, of questionable benefit.
Show all 9 complaintsShow less
Limited evidence · 5 more complaints
few or weak studies
- Limited evidence
Menopause symptoms
There is insufficient evidence that black cohosh works.
- Limited evidence
Menstrual complaints
Ginger may ease pain. The evidence is weak.
- Limited evidence
Skin problems
There is no conclusive evidence for Chinese herbal medicine in atopic eczema.
- Limited evidence
Sleep problems
For valerian and other herbs, reviews found no clear effect compared with placebo.
- Limited evidence
Tinnitus
There is no evidence that ginkgo works when tinnitus is the main complaint.
Therapists: Herbal medicine (phytotherapy)
Laura Fischer
DemoPraxis Fischer
- 5.0(2)
- Biel/Bienne
- Languages: de · fr
Ozone therapyNaturopathyHerbal medicine (phytotherapy)EMREGK therapist register- Price
- CHF 63–145
Aurélie Jaquet
DemoCabinet Jaquet
- Lausanne
- Languages: fr · en · de
Anthroposophic therapyTraditional European Medicine (TEM)Herbal medicine (phytotherapy)EMREGK therapist registerSwiss federal diploma- Price
- CHF 63–145
Costs and health insurance
- Basic insurance
- only with doctors who hold the relevant certificate.
- Supplementary insurance
- often 50–80% with EMR- or ASCA-recognised therapists, often up to an annual maximum.
- Your insurer
- Each profile shows which insurers recognise the therapist.
- Practice prices
- See prices in each practice profile.
Good to know
- Herbal remedies are usually taken for a few weeks and then reviewed; one to three appointments are often enough.
- ‘Natural’ does not mean harmless: St John’s wort, for example, can weaken the effect of the contraceptive pill and many other medicines, so always tell your doctor what you are taking.
- Buy preparations from pharmacies or drugstores; products from the internet or abroad are sometimes wrongly dosed or contaminated.
- During pregnancy and breastfeeding, for children and for new or severe symptoms, talk to your doctor first; phytotherapy does not replace medical treatment.
Training and recognition in Switzerland
Phytotherapy by doctors with an FMH certificate is covered by basic insurance. Non-medical therapists learn it, among other routes, in naturopath training, especially in TEM; depending on your policy, supplementary insurance covers their treatments, usually only with EMR or ASCA registration. Pharmacies and drugstores also give advice on medicinal plants.