ROCHESTER, Minn.—Roughly two-thirds of adults using commonly consumed herbs (except echinacea) did not do so according to evidence-based indications, according to a study published in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings (82, 5:561-566, 2007). Researchers used The Natural Standard database to formulate evidence-based standards for herb use; standards were applied to the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). Data was then used to identify people who had used herbs both appropriately and inappropriately, using a multivariable logistic regression model. Of the 30,617 adults surveyed, 5,787 (18.9 percent) consumed herbs in the past 12 months; of those, 3,315 (57.3 percent) used herbs to treat a specific health condition. In the group having used only one herb (except echinacea and ginseng), approximately one-third followed the evidence-based indications. Researchers further found women and people with a college education were more likely to use herbs (except echinacea) according to the scientific evidence provided. Adults younger than 60 and blacks were significantly less likely to use herbs (except echinacea) according to evidence-based indication. Researchers noted for echinacea users, no significant differences in usage were detected. Furthermore, researchers found only one-third of this population took the herbal preparation for a known scientific indication. Aditya Bardia, M.D., lead author of the study, cautioned further study is warranted as the efficacy of herb use evolves. The authors agreed physicians should ask patients about herb use during every clinical visit and hospital admission to better inform patients about potential benefits and harm.
Email this article
Add a comment
Printer version
Order reprints
RSS Feed
Bookmark article