[Phytotherapy in the treatment of functional disorders]

Although functional cardiac and gastrointestinal disorders are common, standard treatment with chemically defined drugs is not always available. However, Phytotherapy offers a broad spectrum of well-tolerated preparations with either confirmed, or at least - based on the range of constituents - plausible, efficacy. Of importance for the successful outcome of such treatment is that it be oriented to the patient's symptoms. The physician should be in a position to counsel the patient accordingly. In many cases, phytotherapy may well be the treatment of first choice, but wherever there is a need for a change in lifestyle, this should be made clear to the patient.