Habit of Using Herbal Products of Adults Living In Kayseri

This study was conducted to determine habit of using herbal products of 2593 adults living in Kayseri. Data were collected with questionnaire form on herbal products usage during September 2012-May 2013 in this descriptive-cross sectional study. Anthropometric measurements (body weight, height, Body Mass IndexBMI kg/m2) were taken. Mean age was 31.25±12.20 years, 54.6% were male, 51.7% graduated from university, 85.6% did not have chronic health problem, 84.4% did not smoke. Of the subjects, 46.6% used herbal products for providing sedation (22.5%), weight loss (21.3%), laxative effect (11.0%); generally consumed as tea (84.3%). Frequency was everyday (24.2%) or needed (52.9%). Herbal products were mostly bought from herbalist/spice seller (59.6%). Most of subjects who defined that they benefit from herbal products were women (p<0.001). Mostly consumed herbal products were linden (213.3±70.7 ml; 47.1%), sage tea (206.7±73.7 ml; 45.3%) and daisy (200.3±69.4 ml; 24.3%) teas. Of the subjects, 50.6% were normal, 34.1% were overweight and 11.5% were obese according to BMI. Overweight and obese subjects mostly did not use herbal products while normal weight subjects used (p<0.001). Prevalence of using herbal products, especially herbal teas, was high (46.6%) in Turkish adults. It is important to give the right information to prevent misuse-induced problems by the health professionals such as physician, pharmacist, dietitian, nurse