Very often wild stories about the ingredients of herbal TCM-drugs are told. As mentioned in the introduction, all drugs available in Switzerland are registered at Swissmedic. This is true also for drugs that are prescribed in Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Swissmedic is the Swiss authorising and controlling agency for therapeutic products and a body of the Swiss Federation. A therapeutic product is only licensed if the quality, safety and efficacy is guaranteed and the risk-benefit-balance is positive. The drugs are being tested according to the most recent scientific criteria for identity, quality and contamination (e.g. pesticides, heavy metal). www.swissmedic.ch

In terms of species conservation, all Swiss TCM-pharmacies have to respect the CITES(Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora). This is a trade convention with the goal of a sustainable use of the animal and plant population. www.cites.ch

In my formulas I am mostly using plant-based or mineral drugs. In case it is advised to prescribe an animal-based substance due to its efficacy, I will discuss this with you in advance. Very often alternative herbs can be found.