Table 4 Usages of alternative medicines

Artichoke, in Boldocynara

Cynara scolymus

Loss of appetite, dyspeptic complains, and prophylactic against reemission of gallstones and as a tonic in convalescence [30]

No data of clinical efficacy^a

Against flatulence^c

Boldo, in Boldocynara

Peumus boldus

Dyspeptic complaints [30]

No data of clinical efficacy^a

Against flatulence^c

Brown Kelp, in Krauterblüt®

Macrocystis pyrifera

Weight reduction, against hypertension and anemia in pregnancy [30]

No clinical data

Ensure a good supply of iron, riboflavin, pyridoxines, cobalamin and vitamin C^c

Caraway, in MK oil

Carum carvi

Gastrointestinal cramps, flatulence, feelings of fullness, improve lactation, an emmenagogue [30]

Insufficient data of clinical efficacy^a

Anti-ageing properties with vital vitamins, minerals and bioflavonoids^c

Cascarilla, in Krauterblüt®

Croton eluteria

Digestive disorders, diarrhea and vomiting [30]

No clinical data

Ensure a good supply of iron, riboflavin, pyridoxines, cobalamin and vitamin C^c

Cranberry

Vaccinium macrocarpon

Against urinary tract irritation, gout, rheumatism and calculus [30]

Mixed data of clinical efficacy [35]

Prevention and treatment of lighter, recurrent urinary tract infections^b

Dandelion, in Boldocynara

Taraxacum officinale

Acute mastitis, urinary disorders, chronic ulcers, tuberculosis, flatulence, colic, kidney disease, gout, jaundice and biliary stones [30]

No data of clinical efficacy^a

Against flatulence^c

Evening primrose, in MK oil

Oenothera biennis

Neurodermatitis, premenstrual syndrome, dietary aid, high cholesterol levels, menopausal hot flashes, mastalgia and treatment of hyperactivity in children [30]

Insufficient data of clinical efficacy^a

Anti-ageing properties with vital vitamins, minerals and bioflavonoids^c

Fennel, in Krauterblüt®

Foeniculum vulgare

Peptic discomforts, disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, feeling of fullness, flatulence and catarrh of the upper respiratory tract [30]

Clinical data limited. Pharmacological data supports the use against mild spasmodic gastro-intestinal complaints, menstrual cramps and expectorants in cough with colds^a

Ensure a good supply of iron, riboflavin, pyridoxines, cobalamin and vitamin C^c

Field Horsetail, in Krauterblüt®

Equisetum arvense

Tuberculosis, catarrh in the kidney and bladder regions, a hematostatic for profuse menstruation, nasal, pulmonary and gastric hemorrhages, rheumatic diseases, gout, poorly healing wounds, swelling, fractures, frostbite and loss of hair [30]

Insufficient data of clinical efficacy^a

Ensure a good supply of iron, riboflavin, pyridoxines, cobalamin and vitamin C^c

Garden angelica, in Krauterblüt®

Angelica archangelica

Used against loss of appetite, dyspeptic and menstruation complaints, liver and biliary duct conditions, coughs and bronchitis [30]

Insufficient data of clinical efficacy. However, coumarin-derivatives in Angelica archangelica are phototoxic^a

Ensure a good supply of iron, riboflavin, pyridoxines, cobalamin and vitamin C^c

Ginger

Zingiber officinale

Used as a carminative, expectorant, and astringent. To treat colds, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, dyspeptic symptoms and pharyngitis [30]

Antiemetic^a

No available data

Glucosamines

Originally used in veterinary medicine

Limited data

Prevention and treatment of osteoarthritis^c

Green tea

Camellia sinensis

Stomach disorders, nausea, migraine, symptoms of fatigue, vomiting, diarrhea, cardiac and circulatory conditions, states of agitation, states of depression, pain, fever and fatigue [30]

Stimulatory effect^a (corroborated with the caffeine content)

No available data

Hibiscus, in Krauterblüt®

Hibiscus sabdariffa

Diuretic, mild laxative, treatment of hypertension, pyrexia, cough, colds, malaria and skin inflammations [36]

Insufficient data of antihypertensive efficacy [37]

Ensure a good supply of iron, riboflavin, pyridoxines, cobalamin and vitamin C^c

Kefir (fermented probiotic milk product)

Limited data

Limited data

No available data

Kombucha tea

Weight loss and anticancer properties [38]

No clinical data

No available data

Lactic Lactobacillus acidophilus bacteria (fermented probiotic milk product)

Introduced in the early twentieth century. To normalize the bacterial flora in the gut.

Mixed data of clinical efficacy [39]

Normalization of the intestinal flora^b

Licorice

Glycyrrhiza glabra

Sore throats, appendicitis, constipation, and to increase milk production and micturition [30]

Insufficient data of clinical efficacy^a

Mucous release effect for cough in shorter periods^b

Linseed, in MK oil

Linum usitatissimum

For coughs, bronchial conditions, urethritis, diarrhea and gonorrhea [30]

Mixed data of clinical efficacy. However, effectiveness of treatment of habitual constipation and softening of stool is plausible^a

Anti-ageing properties with vital vitamins, minerals and bioflavonoids^c

L-lysine

Limited data

Limited data

Mint

Mentha piperita

Nausea, vomiting, morning sickness, respiratory infections, dysmenorrhea and colds [30]

Symptomatic relief of digestive disorders^a

Indigestion and flatulence^b

Nettle, in Krauterblüt®

Urtica dioica

Hematogenic, rheumatic remedy, diuretic [30]. For diabetes, hypertension and prostate cancer [40]

Insufficient data of clinical efficacy^a

Ensure a good supply of iron, riboflavin, pyridoxines, cobalamin and vitamin C^c

Oregano

Origanum vulgare

Colds, fever, cough, vomiting, dyspepsia painful menstruation, rheumatoid arthritis, urinary tract disorders, dysentery, jaundice and malnutrition for children [30]

Limited data

No available data

Physillium Husk Fibre

Plantago ovata

Against inflammation of the mucous membrane in the urogenital and gastrointestinal tract [30]

Treatment of habitual constipation, desirable soft stool and adjuvant to diet in hypercholesterolemia^a

Against constipation, diarrhea, to increase fiber intake and adjuvant to diet in hypercholesteremia^b

Quackgrass, in Krauterblüt®

Agropyron repens

Urinary tract infections [30]

No data of clinical efficacy^a

Ensure a good supply of iron, riboflavin, pyridoxines, cobalamin and vitamin C^c

Raspberry leavesRubus idaeus

Relieve nausea and induce labour [30]

Insufficient data of clinical efficacy^a

No available data

Rosehip, in MK oilRosa rugosa

Disorders in the efferent urinary tract, the kidneys, kidney stones, rheumatic conditions, gout, colds, scurvy, febrile conditions [30]

Limited data

Anti-ageing properties with vital vitamins, minerals and bioflavonoids^c

Spinach, in Krauterblüt®

Spinacia oleracea

Ailments of the gastrointestinal tract and blood generating [30]

Limited data

Ensure a good supply of iron, riboflavin, pyridoxines, cobalamin and vitamin C^c

Thyme

Thymus vulgaris

Catarrh of the upper respiratory tract, asthma, laryngitis, cough, gastritis and dyspepsia [30]

No data of clinical efficacy^a

Expectorate by productive cough in combination with Primula veris^b

Turmeric

Curcuma longa

Dyspeptic disorders and inflammations [30]

No data of clinical efficacy^a

No available data

Yarrow, in Krauterblüt®

Achillea millefolium

Laxative and treatments against bleeding hemorrhoids, menstrual complaints and gynecological agents [30]

No data of clinical efficacy^a

Ensure a good supply of iron, riboflavin, pyridoxines, cobalamin and vitamin C^c

Wormwood, in Krauterblüt®

Artemisia absinthium

Ailments of gastrointestinal tract, liver disorders, bloating, anemia, irregular menstruation, intermittent fever, loss of appetite and worm infestation [30]

No data of clinical efficacy^a

Ensure a good supply of iron, riboflavin, pyridoxines, cobalamin and vitamin C^c