The Zugspitz pharmacy in Ehrwald: teas, tinctures, and TLC

Sometimes it’s the simplest things that are most effective. Sunburn, calf problems, stomach ache – Kristina Mitterhauser has useful tips and soothing tea blends or ointments at the ready. Together with her team, the pharmacist and owner of the Zugspitz pharmacy can also offer customers full advice on any medications they need. She’s pleased to be often the first person residents and holidaymakers turn to for their physical – and wellbeing – needs.

‘We take a very personal approach to advising and caring for our customers. Apart from our in-house production of teas, tinctures, and healing ointments, it’s what’s most important to us,’ says Kristina. Giving just one example, anyone getting hypotensive medication should know ‘why and how to take the tablets to ensure they’re well tolerated and work as best they can.’

More than just a prescription

The bright, accessible pharmacy with a view of the Zugspitze first opened in 1979 and has been run by Kristina since 2019. ‘We think it’s really important to offer our customers a sympathetic ear,’ says the friendly pharmacist. ‘We’re not just in the business of selling; we’re also here for local residents and holidaymakers on an emotional level.’ And, as she adds, customers are very grateful for this level of service. Indeed, the pharmacy is open even when the doctors are away on holiday. As an added service currently of great use to visitors, the Zugspitz pharmacy in Ehrwald also offers lateral flow and PCR tests.

The pharmacist and her team also inform customers of potential side effects, for example with St John’s wort tea, which helps to treat depression. If you drink it, you should avoid the sun, as the tea can produce harmful skin inflammation. ‘No one will tell you that at the supermarket,’ says Kristina. She therefore often recommends orange blossom or saffron as a gentle mood enhancer.

The team also uses a tincture press, an old device with a lever that squeezes the liquid out of the plant substances. ‘It really does look old,’ says Kristina with a laugh. That said, the press is still unsurpassed today and is used traditionally. The filtered tincture it produces is of a very high quality. ‘That, too, is part of a pharmacist’s trade,’ says Kristina. ‘It’s a very popular profession.’ And to encourage newcomers, Kristina regularly employs an apprentice.

In-house teas from the Zugspitz pharmacy in Ehrwald

A speciality at the Zugspitz pharmacy in Ehrwald are the tea blends produced by the team itself. One example is the delicious Ehrwald breakfast tea, which is easy on the stomach and a good thirst quencher. There are also teas for external use, such as eyebright, which helps with conjunctivitis.

‘Camomile teas with cotton pads, on the other hand, should definitely not be used,’ Kristina says, since camomile can trigger allergies and cotton fibres often get caught in the eyes. ‘It’s best to soak a linen cloth with the tea and apply it yourself,’ says the expert. It’s not only easy but also cheap. A pack costs around three euros and lasts a long time.

For stomach irritations, the pharmacy owner recommends a home-made liquorice root or mallow tea. Her staff crush the flowers and fruits for the teas in their own mortars to release essential healing oils.

The Zugspitz pharmacy in Ehrwald also offers ointments and tinctures produced in-house. ‘Marmot ointments based on ancient recipes are very popular,’ says the pharmacist. The active ingredient, which is similar to cortisone and is produced by the marmot itself, has an analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect and acts to reduce tension and rheumatic complaints. The pharmacy team also produces various herbal ointments according to customers’ wishes. Also popular: the arnica camomile cream made in-house, which helps with blunt injuries, pulled muscles, or after strenuous hikes. After a heavy meal, holidaymakers can also soothe their stomachs with a home-made stomach bitter.

‘Many people also buy teas from us and blend them themselves, or they buy tinctures and ointment bases from us to try out their own ointments,’ says Kristina. Some, for example, mix their own peppermint ointment for a chest compress against coughs or make their own arnica cream. If you want, the pharmacist will of course be happy to offer helpful tips and recipes.

Opening hours and further information on the Zugspitz pharmacy in Ehrwald can be found here.

In addition to special teas, there’s also coffee from the Zugspitze to be had. For example the ‘Wildkaffee’ brand from Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Click to read the interview with owner Leonhard Wild.