Original Report

A population survey on the use of 24 common medicinal herbs in Australia†

  1. Anthony Lin Zhang PhD1,
  2. David Frederick Story PhD1,
  3. Vivian Lin DrPH2,
  4. Luis Vitetta PhD3,
  5. Charlie Changli Xue PhD1,*

Article first published online: 25 SEP 2008

DOI: 10.1002/pds.1610

Issue

Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety

Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety

Volume 17, Issue 10, pages 1006–1013, October 2008

Additional Information

How to Cite

Zhang, A. L., Story, D. F., Lin, V., Vitetta, L. and Xue, C. C. (2008), A population survey on the use of 24 common medicinal herbs in Australia. Pharmacoepidem. Drug Safe., 17: 1006–1013. doi: 10.1002/pds.1610

Author Information

  1. 1

    World Health Organisation Collaborating Centre for Traditional Medicine, School of Health Sciences, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

  2. 2

    School of Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

  3. 3

    Unit of Health Integration, School of Medicine, University of Queensland, QLD, Australia

*WHO Collaborating Centre for Traditional Medicine, School of Health Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, Vic. 3083, Australia.

  1. †

    No conflict of interest was declared.

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 25 SEP 2008
  2. Article first published online: 25 SEP 2008
  3. Manuscript Revised: 19 MAR 2008
  4. Manuscript Accepted: 19 MAR 2008
  5. Manuscript Received: 14 FEB 2008

Funded by

  • Department of Industry, Innovation and Regional Development, the State Government of Victoria, Australia through the Australian Research Centre for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (ARCCAM)

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Keywords:

  • medicinal herbs;
  • herbal medicine;
  • utilisation;
  • cross-sectional survey;
  • Victoria;
  • Australia

Abstract

Background

Herbal medicine use is common in Australia but little is known about the use of individual herbs.

Methods

A cross-sectional population survey conducted in 2007 with a sample of 2526, in the Australian state of Victoria.

Results

Almost a quarter (22.6%, 95% confidence interval (CI): 20.9–24.2%) of survey participants had used at least one medicinal herb in the preceding 12 months. Aloe vera, garlic and green tea were the most popular, each used by about 10% of participants. Health enhancement was the most common reason for herbal medicine use (69.6% of users) but relatively high proportions of users sought relief of specific medical conditions. Over 90% considered their herbal medicine to be very or somewhat helpful. Less than half (46.6%) the users were aware that there were potential risks associated with herbal medicine. Relatively high proportions of female users had taken herbal medicine whilst pregnant (14.4%) and/or whilst breast feeding (10.0%). Over half (50.9%) of herbal medicine users had also used Western medicine for the same medical condition in the 12-month period. Almost the same proportion (49.9%) had used both forms of medication on the same day. In deciding whether or not to use herbal medicine, the vast majority of survey participants indicated that they would accept the advice of their medical practitioner.

Conclusions

In addition to health enhancement, specific herbs are commonly used to treat a range of medical conditions, without clear evidence of efficacy. Concurrent use of herbal and conventional medicine is relatively common and the majority of herbal medicine users are not aware of potential adverse effects. It appears that medical practitioners could exert significant influence on their patients' decisions about herbal medicine use. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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