Who and how many people are taking herbal supplements? A survey of 21,923 adults

BACKGROUND: There is little information on the number and characteristics of adults taking herbal supplements and the relationship of this with other health and lifestyle factors. These were examined in the current study. METHODS: Information on herbal supplement use and health and lifestyle characteristics was obtained by postal questionnaire, sent to a sample of the adult population in Northwest England. RESULTS: In summer 2001, 70.5% (15,465/21,923) of questionnaires were returned. The mean age of responders was 49.8 years (SD 17.57) and 45.2% (6,986/15,465) were men. The percentage taking at least one herbal supplement was 12.8% (1,987/15,465). Users of herbal supplements were more likely to be younger, female, white, and to own their home. Herbal supplement use was not strongly associated with any health and lifestyle variables examined. Weak associations were found with physical activity, psychiatric caseness, and use of prescribed medications. The most common herbal supplement was evening primrose oil, taken by 7.7% (1,186/15,465) of respondents (12.7% of women and 1.1% of men). CONCLUSIONS: More than one in ten adults were taking herbal supplements, with evening primrose oil, the most common supplement, used mainly by women. Individual characteristics such as age, sex, ethnicity, and social class influenced the use of herbal supplements, but there was no evidence that this substituted for conventional medical care. The evidence base to support some popular herbal supplements is weak. Large well-designed trials are needed to quantify the value of herbal supplements to health and well-being.     

Elderly herbal supplement users less satisfied with medical care than nonusers

The purpose of the study was to examine differences between elderly herbal supplement users and nonusers with respect to their perceptions of the safety of supplements and their satisfaction with current medical care. The researchers interviewed 69 elderly persons from congregate meal sites in four Illinois counties to assess herbal supplement use, perceptions of herbal supplement safety, medical supervision of herbal supplement use, and satisfaction with medical care. Two-sample Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests compared both perceived safety of herbal supplements and satisfaction with medical care of supplement users and nonusers. Herbal supplement users were more likely to perceive supplements as safe and to be less satisfied with conventional medical care than nonusers. Some elderly persons do not inform physicians that they are using herbal supplements, thus increasing the risk for supplement misuse, toxicity, and drug-supplement interactions. It is important that physicians, dietetics professionals, and pharmacists inquire about and discuss herbal supplement use with elderly patients.