Use of Edible, Medicinal, and Aromatic Plants in Various Health Disorders: A Cross-Sectional Evaluation among Inhabitants in the Area of Thrace, North-Eastern Greece

Abstract

Background: Medicinal and aromatical plants (MAPs) have been historically used as traditional remedies in many cultures in Europe and globally. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of MAPs in various health disorders in association to dietary habits and other lifestyle factors among residents in Thrace, NE Greece. Methods: Data were collected through anonymous and voluntary responses to a structured online questionnaire, via convenience (snowball) sampling. Results: The 561 responders (age: 39.7 ± 11.6 y) were mostly female (59.7%), with higher education (69.8%), working as state or private employees (55.4%), and having low/medium income (77.1%). Overall, more than 70% were using MAPs in various symptoms and common health disorders, such as chamomile against common cold and the flu. More than 20 different MAPs were being used in smaller frequencies against various conditions. Key contributing factors to the consumption of MAPs were sex (female over male), employment (employed vs. unemployed), education (higher education vs. lower) and higher Body Mass Index (overweight and obese vs. normal), while consumption of fruit, fish, and vegetables was mainly associated with the use of MAPs as common items of diet and in health disorders. Conclusions: The use of MAPs as part of the diet and as traditional remedy is present in the examined population, while particular choices seem to be affected by sociodemographic and lifestyle factors.

Organic Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: Consumption Profile of a Portuguese Consumer Sample

“…This differs from several other studies in which the age groups of 25-34 (or under 35) and 35-44 (or under 45) years old are predominant [25,26,28]. Another study shows a more homogenous distribution among adults [27]. Furthermore, the present study found a higher percentage of respondents with higher education qualifications, as a few other studies have also noted [26,27].…”

“…Another study shows a more homogenous distribution among adults [27]. Furthermore, the present study found a higher percentage of respondents with higher education qualifications, as a few other studies have also noted [26,27]. In contrast, several other studies found a predominance of respondents with high school or secondary education or even less [24][25][26]28].…”

“…When considering the general demographics of the respondents, this study aligns with other studies that show a predominance of females. However, it is not entirely clear whether this signifies an effective predominance among consumers of MAPs or if it relates to a greater role in household food management and food choices [24][25][26][27] or bias for answers in the general population rather than household concerns. In contrast, there are only a few studies with a predominance of male respondents [26,28].…”

Consumption of herbal infusions/decoctions and tea in Greece: a Planeterranean perspective on the results of Hydria survey

“…It was observed that herbal infusions and decoctions are used at a high frequency in northern Greece. Similar results were noticed by Deligiannidou et al [ 61 ]. However, some differences were observed between our survey and the latter study, including the order of the most consumed herbal infusions/decoctions and tea and the age group of the consumers.…”

“…Herbal infusions and decoctions from various medicinal plants have widely been used in different areas of Greece [ 57 – 61 ]. A recent study reported the use of medicinal and aromatic plants in health disorders related to dietary habits and lifestyle factors in the population of Thrace (NE Greece) [ 61 ]. However, there is no information on the consumption of herbal infusions/decoctions and tea in association with the adult Greek population, so far.…”