Use of Herbs by the Patients with Diabetes in Kayseri, Turkey

Herbal medicines, products and therapies are a subject of great public interest both nationally and worldwide. Use of herbal therapy is common among patients with diabetes. The purpose of this study was to determine the consumption rate, duration and methods of herbs and alternative therapies used by the patients with diabetes in Kayseri, Turkey. This cross-sectional study was performed with 400 volunteer patients with diabetes. A face to face interview was conducted between January-May, 2003. The ratio of the herb used, herb species used, pattern of use, demographic characteristics of users and nonusers were determined. 25 % of the 400 respondent with diabetes reported herb use. There was a significant difference for Body Mass Index (BMI) of users and nonusers (X2=13.01, p<0.05). A positive correlation was found between herb use and educational levels (r=0.106, p<0.05). The herbs mostly used by the patients were nettle (28%), thyme (27%), parsley (12%) and jujuba (12%), respectively. The most common pattern of herb consumption was boiling the herbs and drinking the hot water extract (74%), this was followed by adding to foods (12%). Of 39% of the users self-reported that the herb decreased their blood glucose levels. Patients with diabetes tended to use herbs. They need to be educated by the health professionals.