Herbal treatment usage frequency, types and preferences in Turkey

ABSTRACT

Alternative treatment usage is increasing around the world although treatment methods are becoming more modern and more drugs are made available. Related to these global changes we aimed to determine the incidence of treatment with herbs, an alternative treatment method, in Turkey and the reasons for its usage. The study was carried out with a questionnaire on the Internet which 19,022 persons who had received preliminary information, completed. After the subjects were informed of the study, the analysis of medicinal plants by the participants between January 1, 2004 and December 31, 2004, at the web site where they completed the questionnaire was recorded and evaluated. 75.9% of those participating in the study reported that they had used a herbal medication at least once. The main health problems leading to the usage of herbal medication for their treatment was hair loss - hair care, hemorrhoids, skin care, peptic ulcer - gastritis and infertility. The plants the participants were most interested in were nettle, St. John's wort, rosemary, garden sage and hawthorn. The main reason for interest in herbal treatments was "hoping to find a herbal medicine which could help treat their condition". Nettle, ole and er and thyme were the plants most commonly used to treat cancer patients. Turkey has a higher rate of alternative medicine usage than other countries where similar studies have been conducted and comprehensive and regular studies are required to show changes over time