Investigation of the usage of herbal products during the Covid-19 pandemic

Abstract

During the COVID-19 pandemic period, herbal products have been used by patients for many purposes. In this study, the frequency of use of herbal products during the COVID-19 pandemic was investigated. This research is a cross-sectional study. Patients who admitted to an academic hospital (Gazi University Faculty of Medicine) Chest Diseases Clinic between November 2020-January 2021 were included in the study. It was concluded that approximately 32% of the patients used herbal products during the pandemic period and that the purpose of most of the participants was to strengthen the immune system. It was observed that the participants first consulted the spice sellers about the medicinal plants used against COVID-19. As a result, it has been determined that patients from many segments of society use herbal products against COVID-19 and they generally learn about the use of these products from nonmedical sources. In this work, as it is always emphasized in terms of human health, the importance of being the first address where physicians and pharmacists should provide consultancy services on herbal products during the COVID-19 pandemic has been demonstrated once again.

Dietary supplements used by otolaryngology patients in Turkey during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional survey

“…In Bulut et al , the most frequently used herbal supplements were turmeric (20.4%), ginger (12.2%), green tea (4.1%), and echinacea (4.1%) [24] , compared to lemon (54.68%), garlic (46.76%), ginger (46.04%), thyme (43.88%), and linden (37.41%) in our study. Similarly, many of the patients in our study who had experienced COVID-19 infection used lemon (64.77%), ginger (57.95%), thyme (47.73%), linden (47.73%), and garlic (32.95%) supplements.…”

“…A cross-sectional study found that 62.8% of participants, who were recruited from three different countries, used DSs including herbal preparations, vitamins, and minerals during the first 3 months of the COVID-19 pandemic [23] . In another study, approximately 32% of patients who presented to a chest diseases clinic during the pandemic used herbal DSs [24] . Approximately half of our patients (50.18%) used DSs; the high rates of DS use during the pandemic could be explained by the limited treatment options available for COVID-19, people's desire to strengthen their immune systems, and the high availability of DSs.…”

“…The use of herbal products believed to enhance immunity increased during the COVID-19 pandemic [24] . Many medicinal plants, such as black elderberry, garlic, ginger, turmeric, lemon balm, and thyme, are used as antivirals.…”

“…), sage ( Salvia ), and rosehip ( Rosa canina L .) were the most popular [24] . Furthermore, 63 and 23 plant species were used for the same purpose in Nepal and Morocco, particularly ginger ( Zingiber officinale Roscoe) [ 49 , 50 ].…”