COVID-19 and herbal medicine: A practitioner survey

ABSTRACT

Introduction: COVID-19 has had a large impact upon UK society and healthcare, however little is currently known about its impact upon UK herbal medicine practice. This survey aimed to identify changes to herbal medicine practice since the start of the pandemic, common herbs used to support people with COVID-19 symptoms and types of advice patients are seeking from herbal practitioners. Methods: We developed a mixed-methods e-survey for herbal practitioners, disseminated in June 2020 through practitioner professional bodies and social media. Quantitative results were analysed descriptively and qualitative results were analysed using basic content analysis. Results: Findings from 59 complete responses indicated that most practitioners have moved to phone or video consultations only, whilst 37% had observed a decline in patients with other conditions. 56% respondents reported seeing patients with COVID-19 symptoms and 27% seeing patients with a COVID-19 diagnosis. Herbal practitioners reported that patients most commonly asked for information about herbs to support the immune system (46/59, 78%) and herbs to support them during COVID-19 symptoms (36/59, 61%), although the percentage of patients asking for COVID-19 advice varied. Practitioners described using a range of herbs to support people with COVID-19 symptoms, most commonly Glycyrrhiza glabra L. (15/31, 48%), Echinacea spp. (13/31, 42%) and Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Nees (8/31, 26%). Practitioners also recommended vitamin D (14/29, 48%) and C (8/29, 28%). Herbal practitioners’ main sources of information about COVID-19 were webinars from other herbalists (56%), research databases (58%) and NHS guidance (49%). Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a substantial impact upon herbal medicine practice. Herbal practitioners are a source of information and support for patients with COVID-19 symptoms. However, herbal medicines used varied widely. Future research needs to evaluate these herbal medicines and to develop a comprehensive database on herbal substances used and their potential benefits and risks. Keywords Herbal medicine, COVID-19, survey;herbal practitioners;practice delivery