When your throat feels sore or indigestion threatens, then it's time for a Medicinal Tea.
"Herbal tea can ease symptoms if there is an indication that something is wrong or at the first sign a illness is getting worse," says Ursula Sellerberg, spokeswoman for an organisation in Berlin that represents the interests of Germany's pharmacists.
The body and soul is helped to regenerate itself by the tea's active ingredients and stimulated by the hot water.
"The classic areas where herbal tea is used are against colds, digestive problems and women's complaints," says herbal tea expert Monika Beutgen.
Medicinal teas are also commonly used to ease the symptoms of bladder and kidney complaints as well as sleeplessness.
Every herb contains a range of chemical ingredients the strongest of which determines the tea's main effect.
The bitter components of the herbs centaury, absinth wormwood or gentian improve the stomach's function and increase appetite as well as the feeling of being full.
The large-leafed linden induces sweating while fennel, anis, kummel and camomile ease cramps.
"People often combine four or six plants but no more than that," explains Peter Zizmann, president of the Bonn-based Professional Association of Alternative Medicine Practitioners.
A tea's effectiveness is increased by combining herbs. At the same time the chemical components are also boosted.
With a little knowledge on the subject it is possible to visit a pharmacist and have a tea custom-blended.
An alternative is the pre-blended herbal tea.
"Their drawback is they are designed to have a wide range of effectiveness and are not tailored to treat specific complaints," says Zizmann.
Staple blends and individual herbs are also available over the counter in packets from pharmacists and in many local shops.
"Not every herbal tea is a medicinal tea," says Laura Groche of the Berlin consumer affairs organisation Verbraucherinitiative.
"Medicinal teas must contain information on the packaging about their correct usage, their chemical components, dosage, a best-before-date and their licensing number."
When buying herbal tea make sure each tea bag is individually wrapped so that essential oils are not lost.
"Only then can a medicinal tea be used to its full effect," explains Beutgen.
Herbal tea is generally prepared by pouring boiling water over the leaves or tea bag. Do not leave the tea in the pot longer than it says on the instructions.
"On the one hand some chemical components are only available for a short time," says Groche. "And on the other it can happen that by leaving the tea in the pot too long, some components are diluted and lose their strength."
Leaving the tea too long can also have a negative affect on the tea's taste.
Groche also advises drinking medicinal teas for a limited period of time.
"They are not suitable for consumption over a sustained period," she says.
Medicinal tea should never be drunk for periods longer than six weeks without consulting a doctor first. EVA NEUMANN