OUR GOAL
To provide the highest quality natural medicines at the lowest price.
PHILOSOPHY
Effective therapy for the patient can only be guaranteed after intervention by a specialist.
METHOD
P atients are always referred to a specialist prescriber for diagnosis and medication determination.
The NatuurApotheek then makes a custom preparation on a natural or orthomolecular basis. By continuously following the prescribed therapy with the patient, the specialist can determine whether it is desirable to repeat or adjust the therapy. With this method, the NatuurApotheek strives to bring the patient back to a healthy balance as quickly as possible.
The NatuurApotheek is a special company and a recognized pharmacy. Read more
WESTERN PHYTOTHERAPY
Western phytotherapy
Western phytotherapy offers various forms of preparation and application. Below you can read how De NatuurApotheek composes herbal formulas — from raw herbs and standard dosages to liquid extracts and external applications.
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Customized preparation – Western Phytotherapy
WHAT IS WESTERN PHYTOTHERAPY?
What is Western Phytotherapy?
Western phytotherapy uses plants and herbal extracts as active ingredients to naturally support the body. De NatuurApotheek works according to ESCOP guidelines for quality and safety and offers customized herbal formulas, tailored to the needs of practitioners and patients.
Phytotherapy is an ancient science where the power of plants is applied to promote health. In contrast to synthetic medicines, phytotherapy solely uses plant-based substances, in their natural or processed form.
Scientific basis and tradition
De NatuurApotheek works according to the guidelines of the European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy (ESCOP), a leading organization that promotes scientific research on phytotherapy. We combine this scientific insight with traditional knowledge to safely and effectively prepare individualized formulas.
Our phytotherapeutic products include:
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Raw herbs (cut and ground)
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Extracts (tinctures, liquid extracts, dried extracts)
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Capsules, tablets, and syrups for user convenience and accurate dosing
Phytotherapy is not homeopathy
Phytotherapy is often confused with homeopathy, but they are two completely different approaches:
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Phytotherapy works with measurable, active plant ingredients and effective dosages. Its action is directly based on the pharmacological properties of the plants.
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Homeopathy uses highly diluted substances following the principle of "like cures like," where dilution (potency) plays a central role.
Thus, phytotherapeutic remedies have real and measurable biochemical effects — just like regular medicines — making professional guidance crucial, especially in combination with other medication.
Phytotherapeutics vs. dietary supplements
t is also important to distinguish between phytotherapeutics (regulated under pharmaceutical law) and dietary supplements (considered food). While dietary supplements are aimed at general support, phytotherapeutics are used for specific complaints or recovery. Both have value, but differ in use, regulation, and legal status.
Tailored safety at De NatuurApotheek
Each patient is unique. That’s why De NatuurApotheek produces fully customized phytotherapeutic preparations, based on your practitioner’s prescription. We guarantee high-quality, pharmaceutical-grade preparations with great care for safety and effectiveness.
Want to learn more about our phytotherapeutic options? Contact us or submit your prescription via our prescription portal.
CUSTOMIZED PREPARATION OF WESTERN HERBS
De NatuurApotheek offers a wide range of customized preparations, carefully composed and produced according to the highest quality standards. We work exclusively with controlled raw materials and prepare each product individually, tailored to the specific needs of the patient.
Our range includes:
Our preparations comply with strict quality and safety standards. Through precise selection of raw materials and a controlled production process, we guarantee consistent efficacy and purity for all our phytotherapeutic products.
DRY EXTRACTS / EXTRACTUM SICCUM (ES)
De NatuurApotheek offers a wide range of dry extracts, carefully prepared for optimal absorption and efficacy.
Our range includes:
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Single extracts
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Compositions
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Capsules and tablets
Single extracts
Dry extracts (Extractum Siccum – ES) are obtained by extracting plants with an alcohol-water mixture and subsequently drying them. This process concentrates the active compounds, resulting in a potent and long-lasting product.
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Strength ranging from 10:1 to 41:1 (10 parts herb yield 1 part extract).
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Wide selection of single herbs in dry extract form.
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Consistent quality through controlled production and analytical certificates.
Compositions
In addition to single extracts, De NatuurApotheek also offers customized herbal formulas.
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Any desired composition possible, tailored to the patient’s specific needs.
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Made to order, ensuring precise dosing and optimal combinations of active substances.
Capsules and tablets
Dry extracts can be supplied in powder form but are usually processed into capsules or tablets for:
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Easy use and dosing
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Accurate dosing of active substances
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Longer shelf life and optimal absorption
Tablets and capsules are ideal for patients who need a standardized and practical form of administration.
LIQUID EXTRACTS / EXTRACTUM FLUIDUM (EF) AND TINCTURES (TC)
De NatuurApotheek offers high-quality liquid extracts and tinctures that are optimally tailored to the needs of practitioners and patients. These extracts ensure efficient absorption of the active compounds and are easy to dose.
Our range includes:
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Liquid extracts (Extractum Fluidum – EF) – Concentrated alcohol-/water extracts for maximum efficacy
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Tinctures (TC) – Traditional alcoholic extracts, standard 1:5 ratio
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Syrups – Easy and pleasant dosage form for extracts and essential oils
Liquid extracts (Extractum Fluidum - EF)
An Extractum Fluidum (EF) is a liquid herbal extract based on an alcohol-water mixture. Strength ranges from 1:1 to 1:3, depending on the ingredients.
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Optimal extraction of active substances
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Better shelf life and more efficient than aqueous extracts
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User-friendly and easy to dose
Alcohol improves absorption of active compounds and prolongs the extract’s shelf life.
Tinctures (TC)
A tincture is a traditional alcoholic herbal extract. In Europe, a 1:10 ratio is common, but De NatuurApotheek applies a standard 1:5 ratio, which offers several advantages:
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Higher concentration, lower alcohol intake
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More pleasant to use and more affordable
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Fully adjusted according to the protocols of Jeremy Ross
These tinctures are widely used in practice and are effective for various applications.
Syrups
Syrups offer an accessible way to take liquid extracts or essential oils.
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Contain 20% liquid extract in syrup base
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Shelf life: 2 years
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Available in a sugar-free version
Syrups make intake easier and are particularly suitable for children and patients who prefer to avoid alcohol.
RAW HERBS (HERBA)
De NatuurApotheek supplies raw herbs in various administration forms, tailored to the needs of prescribers and patients.
Our product range includes:
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Loose herbs
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Capsules
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Tablets
Loose herbs
Raw herbs are available in two forms:
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Cut herbs – suitable for making teas (infusions or decoctions).
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Powder form – can be easily processed into capsules or other preparations.
The traditional use is an herbal tea, consumed throughout the day. This is a simple and relatively inexpensive way to take herbs, but the dosage is less precise and the taste is personal.
For clean and easy preparation, De NatuurApotheek offers special tea bags upon request.
When prescribing, always explicitly indicate that it concerns raw herbs!
Capsules
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The powdered form of raw herbs can be encapsulated, allowing for precise dosing.
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Standard available dosages: 250 mg and 500 mg per capsule.
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Capsules dissolve in the stomach, releasing and absorbing the active compounds quickly.
Tablets
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Raw herbs in powder form can also be pressed into tablets containing 500 mg of herb per tablet, with plant-based excipients added to improve stability and absorption.
EXTERNAL APPLICATIONS
For effective local treatment, various application forms are possible. The choice of base depends on the skin condition and the desired effect.
Examples of basic products for external application:
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Cream – oil-in-water emulsion, suitable for moist skin
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Ointment – fatty, water-free base for dry skin
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Lotion – liquid solution based on water, alcohol and/or glycerin
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Milk – light emulsion, absorbs quickly
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Shampoo – specifically for scalp and hair treatments
General rule: apply moist preparations (cream, lotion, milk) to moist skin, and dry preparations (ointment) to dry skin.
In addition, there are gargles, eye, nasal, and ear drops for specific local treatments. For non-local effects, suppositories, enemas, ovules, and vaginal irrigations are used.
De NatuurApotheek offers a wide range of external base products, such as w/o-emulsions, o/w-emulsions, and various creams and ointments. For plant-based active ingredients, we generally use a 20% tincture of the requested plant mixture when applicable. Essential oils may also be incorporated as active substances in the formulation.
All creams and ointments are supplied in tubes as standard. Thanks to our extensive stock, we can produce customized preparations directly.
VOLATILE AND FIXED OILS (VO)
De NatuurApotheek offers a wide range of volatile and fixed oils, carefully selected and processed according to the highest quality standards. These oils are used for both therapeutic and care applications.
We distinguish the following categories:
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Essential oils and gels – concentrated aromatic oils with therapeutic effects
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Aromatic waters – essential oils processed into water for care and therapy
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Base and massage oils – pure, cold-pressed oils for skin care and massage
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Oil infusions – herbal infusions based on oil, suitable for external use
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Bath oils – vegetable oils enriched with volatile oils or herbal extracts
Essential oils and gels
Essential oils are the aromatic essence of herbs, used for thousands of years in preventive and therapeutic applications. De NatuurApotheek offers a wide selection of pure essential oils, both in pure form and processed into syrups, base oils or capsules for accurate dosing and easy use. We also produce gelled oils, which feel like ointments and absorb quickly, but consist purely of oil.
Aromatic waters
Produced as described in pharmacopoeias, essential oils are dissolved in water to create aromatic waters. These are ideal for care applications with therapeutic effects. They can be used as mouthwash, mouth spray, skin refreshers, facial or body sprays.
Base and massage oils
Unlike essential oils, base oils are fatty and virtually odorless. They serve as carriers for essential oils but are also used as lubricants during massage. Where synthetic alternatives exist, De NatuurApotheek prefers pure plant-based, cold-pressed oils of the highest quality.
Oil infusions
Besides water- and alcohol-based extracts, herbs can also be extracted in oil, resulting in oil infusions. Well-known examples are calendula oil, arnica oil, and St. John’s wort oil. These infusions are intended for external use only.
Bath oils
Vegetable oils can be enriched into bath oils, to which volatile oils or herbal extracts are added. This offers a pleasant and effective way to absorb therapeutic substances through the skin.
Do you have a specific idea or application in mind? Contact us to discuss whether we can formulate a custom preparation.
STANDARD DOSAGES OF WESTERN HERBS
The exact dosage is determined by the prescriber. Below are the usual guidelines for adults.
The recommended dosages for children can be found on the website of kinderformularium.
Loose herbs
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Per cup: 2 teaspoons to 1 tablespoon, pour boiling water and steep for at least 15 minutes.
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Per teapot or large preparation: 1 to 2 tablespoons, pour boiling water and drink throughout the day.
Herbal capsules
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Initial dose: 3 × daily 4 capsules of 250 mg
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Maintenance dose: 3 × daily 2 capsules of 250 mg
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Alternative: 3 × daily 2 capsules of 500 mg (standard)
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Maintenance: 3 × daily 1 capsule of 500 mg
Herbal tablets
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For acute or starting situations: 3 × daily 4 tablets of 300-350 mg
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Maintenance dose: 3 × daily 2 tablets
Dry extract tablets or capsules
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Dosage depends on the selected concentration.
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General guideline: 3 × daily 1 tablet or capsule.
Tinctures
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Tincture 1:10 → 3 × daily 40 to 100 drops (1 to 5 ml)
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Tincture 1:5 → 3 × daily 30 to 80 drops (1 to 2.5 m
Syrups
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3 × 1 to 5 tablespoons per day
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1 tablespoon = 15 ml
Dosages for children
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The recommended dosages for children can be found on the website of Kinderformularium.
OUR WESTERN PRODUCT LINES
In addition to custom preparations, De NatuurApotheek develops and produces several high-quality product lines within Western phytotherapy. These are based on classical herbal formulas and are carefully composed in-house, with a focus on quality, effectiveness, and safety.