Health Blog | Alpen Apotheke

Dry Cough

Fri, 21 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0100

Not all coughs are the same

During a cold, two different types of cough can occur:

Productive cough: Cough with mucus, which helps the body transport pathogens out of the airways.

Non-productive or dry cough (without mucus): Cough where no mucus is expelled.

Typically, a dry cough occurs at the beginning of a cold or acute bronchitis and turns into a phlegm-producing cough after about two to three

days. Once this phase is over, the dry cough often reappears after a cold and usually subsides within three weeks. In rare cases, for example when pathogens such as adenoviruses are involved, the recovery phase can extend up to eight weeks.

The cause of a dry cough is inflammation in the airways. This leads to irritation of the cough receptors in the larynx, lower throat, and bronchi. Typical for the non-productive, dry type of cough are loud, rough, sometimes barking or whistling sounds. Since no mucus is expelled, the persistent cough is often perceived as scratchy and painful.

The cough is often particularly severe in the evening and at night. The constant urge to cough prevents restful sleep and can lead to fatigue over time. Repeated coughing irritates the mucous membranes throughout the airways, which may also cause a dry throat, hoarseness, or chest pain.

In our pharmacy, we offer herbal, homeopathic, and chemical products in the form of teas, drops, syrups, tablets, and lozenges to relieve dry cough. Visit us – we are happy to advise you!

Bitter substances and their herbal teas

Fri, 21 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0100

Bitter compounds are natural plant substances. They stimulate the digestive system, contribute to deacidification, stop food cravings, and much more. Bitter compounds are very effective, but unfortunately they are becoming less and less common in modern diets.

In herbal medicine, bitter substances are used in small quantities for therapeutic purposes in the form of teas, fresh plant mixtures, or capsules.

The following plants rich in bitter compounds can be used as tea:

Wormwood
Dandelion
Green tea
Yarrow

In addition to bitter plants, there are also many foods that contain bitter substances:

Sugar cane
Chicory
Endive
Arugula
Brussels sprouts
Olives
Grapefruit

Bitter compounds are sensitive to heat, which can affect their bitterness. They should therefore be eaten raw or only steamed briefly.

To allow the bitter compounds to have a positive effect on digestion, they should be taken before or after eating: if taken 10 to 30 minutes before eating, they optimally prepare the digestive system for food processing. After eating, they help with feelings of fullness, flatulence, or abdominal pain, so that you quickly feel active again and less sluggish.

When the bitter substances take effect is very individual: some people feel an improvement after the first dose, e.g., because they no longer feel bloated after eating or because they simply feel lighter and more alert. Others may only notice a change after several weeks of regular use, depending on the condition of their digestive system and the symptoms they are experiencing.

We offer various bitter teas in our pharmacy or can prepare a fresh plant mixture for you. Come by and let us advise you.

Gut bacteria

Fri, 21 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0100

At least 500 to 1,000 different types of bacteria live in our intestines. Not only "good" intestinal bacteria colonize there, but also "bad" germs.

The "good bacteria" include, for example:

Lactobacilli:

Important for the digestion of lactose (milk sugar)
Promote the production of lactic acid, creating an environment in the gut that inhibits harmful germs

Bifidobacteria:

Important for immune defense
Produce short-chain fatty acids and vitamins such as folic acid
Important for stabilizing the intestinal barrier

"Bad germs" include, for example:

Clostridioides difficile:

If this bacterium becomes dominant (e.g., after antibiotic treatment), it can cause diarrhea.

Salmonella, Shigella, or cholera bacteria:

These are undesirable subtenants, as they can lead to severe infections in the gastrointestinal tract. This is because they are able to attack the intestinal barrier, form toxins, and thus promote inflammatory processes, among other things. This can result in abdominal pain, flatulence, diarrhea, or constipation.

What happens when there is an imbalance in the gut?

Stress, unhealthy eating habits, or medications such as antibiotics can cause an imbalance in the gut. In this case, the number of good bacteria is reduced and unwanted germs have the opportunity to spread. This can lead to various complaints such as digestive problems (flatulence, diarrhea, or constipation) or a weakened immune system.

In such cases, it can be helpful to use probiotics to supply the good bacteria with prebiotics, i.e., their favorite foods. You can support your "good gut bacteria" with the following tips:

Drink enough fluids (at least 2 liters daily)
Eat a diet rich in fiber: raw fruits and vegetables (beans, peas, lentils, fennel, celery)
Consume swelling fiber: 2-3 tablespoons of chia or flax seeds in yogurt or muesli every day
Use prebiotics from the pharmacy that promote the growth of specific types of bacteria
Take probiotics that survive stomach and bile acids and reach the intestine

A healthy intestine with a diverse bacterial flora is the basis for well-being and health. With the right diet, stress management, and the targeted use of indication-specific probiotics, you can actively contribute to strengthening your intestinal flora.

Is your gut out of balance? Come by and let us advise you. We have the right products to help you restore balance to your gut.

Premenstrual syndrome

Fri, 21 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0100

Many women are familiar with this: in the days before their period, they experience abdominal pain or headaches, feel sad and irritable, and generally feel unwell. The medical term for these symptoms is premenstrual syndrome (PMS). For most women, PMS symptoms are not very severe. However, some women are so affected that they are unable to carry out their normal daily activities during this time. The symptoms begin a few days to two weeks before the onset of menstruation. When menstruation begins and a new cycle starts, the PMS symptoms subside again. They disappear completely by the end of the bleeding at the latest. Some women experience symptoms in some cycles and not in others. The severity of the symptoms can also vary greatly depending on the cycle.

Causes:

The causes of PMS are not fully understood. It is believed that hormonal fluctuations during the female cycle play a role. In addition, family predisposition and environmental factors influence the development of PMS.

Treatment:

Girls and women with PMS often try different remedies and methods to alleviate their symptoms. For mild symptoms, some try relaxation exercises and more exercise, for example. Others resort to herbal preparations and dietary supplements such as monk's pepper, St. John's wort, calcium, or vitamin B6.

For more severe symptoms, various medications are available:

Hormonal remedies such as the contraceptive pill or hormone patches influence hormone levels
Antidepressants can help alleviate severe psychological symptoms
Painkillers can effectively relieve severe menstrual pain
Diuretics help with severe symptoms caused by water retention

Come by and we will find a suitable solution for you. We are happy to advise you.

Sun Allergy

Fri, 12 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0200

Sun allergy is a general term for the occurrence of skin irritations after prolonged sun exposure. The exact cause of sun allergy is not yet fully understood. Doctors now suspect that UV radiation from the sun alters a substance in the skin, to which the immune system reacts. The immune system triggers an allergic reaction to this specific substance, resulting in the typical symptoms of sun allergy.

Small, itchy, red pustules may appear, or blisters may form, which later develop into red, dry patches. Less commonly, large red areas can occur. Symptoms usually appear on the arms, legs, feet, and décolleté. The face is usually unaffected.

As varied as the symptoms are, there are also different types of sun allergies. The most common type is polymorphic photodermatosis, where bumps often appear approximately 12 hours after sun exposure. Another type is photoallergic contact eczema, which occurs when a substance applied to the skin reacts with UV radiation. Such substances can include sunscreen or perfume. There is also sun allergy urticaria, in which symptoms appear within minutes of sun exposure.

Finally, there is actinic prurigo, which primarily affects people with darker skin tones. This type can cause raised spots even on areas of the body that were not exposed to the sun.

Prevention:

Avoid the sun between 11:00 AM and 4:00 PM.
Wear appropriate clothing (e.g., long clothes, hats)
Choose a suitable sunscreen: it should be free of oils and emulsifiers and have a high SPF
Reapply sunscreen every two hours

What can help during an acute sun allergy:

Quark (curd) compresses and aloe vera creams can help with acute symptoms
For severe symptoms, special ointments (with or without cortisone) and antihistamines may be used as treatment

And to finish, here’s a tip on how to prepare for next summer:

Those who know they suffer from sun allergy can take beta-carotene or Calcium Sandoz Sun & Day preventively to avoid an outbreak. These should be taken at least three weeks before strong sun exposure to prepare the skin.

To help you enjoy the summer again, feel free to visit us for a personal consultation!

Winter Blues

Wed, 03 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0100

Do you also know the feeling of not wanting to get out of bed in the morning?

Driving to work in the dark, sitting all day in heated, artificially lit rooms, and coming home in the dark again – this takes a toll on your mood. Many people experience this. For some, it even develops into winter depression, also called seasonal affective disorder (SAD) or winter blues.

A characteristic of winter depression is persistent fatigue. Upon waking, you would prefer to stay in bed, feel lethargic and unmotivated, and even during the day, energy is lacking. There is often a strong craving for sweets, which leads many sufferers to gain weight in autumn and winter.

When we lack daylight, it alters the balance of the neurotransmitters serotonin and melatonin in the brain – and our mood is more easily disturbed. The sensory cells in our eyes play a major role. When less daylight reaches the eyes, our body releases more melatonin. Melatonin prepares us for sleep, making us tired and less energetic. In contrast, the production of the mood-improving neurotransmitter serotonin decreases when there is a lack of light.

Boost your mood!

Go outside as often as possible, in any weather, ideally for an hour or more. Exercising keeps you fit, and daylight increases the release of the mood-improving serotonin. Bright sunshine is not necessary – enough daylight is available even on cloudy days to keep excessive melatonin production in check.

People who feel unwell often withdraw from activities instead of pursuing hobbies or meeting friends and having fun. Social interaction and positive experiences in daily life contribute greatly to well-being.

So keep your chin up, make plans with nice people – the winter depression disappears naturally with the brighter season.

If the winter blues persist, we can help you find the right solution. Visit us – we are happy to advise you!

What exactly are generic drugs?

Tue, 27 Jul 2021 00:00:00 +0200

Generic drugs are successor drugs that are essentially the same as the corresponding original preparations. They contain the same active ingredients in the same quantity and dosage form, but may differ in terms of excipients and appearance. Generic drugs are much cheaper because they do not involve the enormous costs associated with drug development. With a few exceptions, it is usually possible to switch from an original drug to a generic drug without any problems.

Newly introduced drugs are usually protected by patent law. Other companies are not allowed to copy these drugs and distribute them themselves without the manufacturer's consent. However, this protection expires after a few years. In Switzerland, the statutory patent protection period is generally 20 years.

The development costs for a new drug are currently estimated at well over one billion Swiss francs. A generic drug can be offered at a significantly lower price than the original drug because this enormous financial expense is eliminated.

This article was researched and compiled by the PharmaWiki team. It was made possible thanks to the support of Sandoz Pharmaceuticals AG. Source: https://www.pharmawiki.ch/wiki/index.php?wiki=Generika (accessed on 07/27/21)

Treating Muscle Soreness with Schüssler Salts

Thu, 08 Apr 2021 00:00:00 +0200

As soon as the temperatures rise, people become more active outdoors – whether walking, jogging, hiking, or mountain biking. Nature beckons, and often we forget that during the winter months physical fitness may have been neglected – and suddenly, the next day, muscle soreness appears! But it doesn’t have to be that way. Using Schüssler salts during and after activity can prevent or greatly reduce this discomfort.

We recommend dissolving Schüssler salts No. 3, 5, and 7 – 10 tablets each – in approximately 500 ml of water during exercise. The drink can be enriched with a splash of apple juice, creating a ready-to-go sports drink you can take in a bottle. By combining these Schuessler salts, you are optimally supplied and the loss of electrolytes due to sweating can be minimized.

In the evening after exercise or the next day, we recommend the combination of Schüssler salts No. 8, 9, and 10. This metabolic trio promotes the elimination of "waste substances" produced during exercise, which are often the cause of tired muscles or soreness.

For best results, dissolve 10 tablets of each salt in 500 ml of water after activity and drink it. The drink can also be consumed several times the following day.

For external use on sore muscles, we recommend Schüssler Cream No. 7, which loosens and relaxes

the muscles. This way, your athletic excursion is remembered for the experience, not the pain.

Schüssler Salts explained briefly

No. 3, Ferrum phosphoricum D12:	supports oxygen supply, e.g., during sports
No. 5, Kalium phosphoricum D6:	energy booster for increased performance
No. 7, Magnesium phosphoricum D6:	relaxes during muscle cramps
No. 8, Natrium chloratum D6:	brings the fluid balance back into the right balance
No. 9, Natrium phosphoricum D6:	regulates acid-base balance
No. 10, Natrium sulfuricum D6:	eliminates waste products, "Schüssler-style garbage disposal"

What helps with spring fatigue?

Thu, 08 Apr 2021 00:00:00 +0200

"In spring, the days get longer and the body adjusts its hormone balance. The production of serotonin—the happiness hormone—is ramped up, while the production of melatonin—the sleep hormone—is reduced," explains Alfred Chappuis. This adjustment costs energy, and some people react with symptoms of tiredness and exhaustion. Added to this are the temperature fluctuations that are not uncommon in spring. "This constant adjustment to the environment is additionally tiring for the body," says the pharmacist.

The symptoms of spring fatigue can vary. Those affected complain of listlessness – even when they have had enough sleep – sensitivity to weather changes, headaches, irritability, or circulatory problems.

Natural remedies for the symptoms

Herbal preparations have proven particularly effective in treating spring fatigue. Herbal tonics containing calcium and iron or remedies containing sea buckthorn, a vitamin C booster, are suitable options. Spagyric medicine can also help: "An energy spray made from essences of cola tree, oats, arnica, and rosemary alleviates mood swings, activates, has an emotionally balancing effect, and stimulates microcirculation at the same time," explains Chappuis. Teas containing bitter substances from artichoke and dandelion root and diuretic substances from birch or nettle stimulate the metabolism. Regardless of which therapy the patient chooses, it is important that it meets their needs and that they are able to implement it, according to the expert.

Caution with contraindications

Some herbal products can cause unwanted side effects or should not be taken at all, or only after consultation with a doctor, if other medications are being taken at the same time. This is the case with St. John's wort preparations, for example. They interact with immunosuppressants, antidepressants, blood thinners, and hormonal contraceptives, among other things. Those affected should therefore always inform their pharmacist about any underlying conditions and medications they are taking.

If there is no improvement after one to two months, the pharmacist advises consulting a doctor. Weight loss, constant thirst, or simply the feeling that the body is reacting differently than before should definitely be investigated.

Prevention for next year

Pharmacist Alfred Chappuis has a few tips for those who don't want to feel sluggish again next year: "During the months ending in 'r' – September to February – you should pay particular attention to your nutrient intake so that you can start spring full of energy." If you miss the sun during the cold season, you can buy or rent a professional light therapy lamp (at least 10,000 lux) and expose yourself to the light for about 20 minutes a day. And: "Be sure to maintain a positive attitude toward spring and don't think back to last year's exhausting spring. Consciously look forward to spring and do something good for yourself!"

Power shower

For a special energy boost to start the day, the pharmacist recommends alternating between cold and warm showers to activate the circulation.

Power berry

A classic Bircher muesli with goji berries is a good choice for breakfast. They contain iron, calcium, and lots of vitamins.

Power vegetables

Radishes are harbingers of spring. Their sharpness strengthens the immune system and protects the digestive tract from fungi and bacteria, while vitamin C provides energy.

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