The influence of ethnicity on use of herbal remedies in elderly Hispanics and non-Hispanic whites.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the use of herbal remedies between elderly, self-identified Hispanics and non-Hispanic whites (NHW).


METHODS
Cross-sectional, interviewer-administered survey.


METHODS
186 patients, 65 years and older, at a university-based, ambulatory, senior health center.


METHODS
Not applicable.


METHODS
Differences in herbal use patterns between Hispanic and NHW participants. Main outcome measures were participants' use of herbal remedies, types of remedies used, medical reason for use, age, sex, Hispanic or NHW ethnicity, income, and education.


RESULTS
Overall, 61% of patients had used an herbal remedy at some time in their lives. A larger proportion of Hispanic subjects used herbal remedies than did NHW subjects (77% versus 47%, respectively). Hispanic subjects preferred to use the raw herb in a tea, whereas NHW subjects preferred processed herbs in a capsule or tablet form. Significantly more Hispanic subjects grew or gathered their own herbs and received their information about herbs from a family member than did NHW subjects. Few subjects in either ethnic group received their information about herbal remedies from an allopathic provider. For both groups, the herbs most often used were yerba buena, manzanilla, poleo, osha, and alhucema. The top perceived medical problems that herbs were used for were health care maintenance, dyspepsia, upper respiratory infection, skin problems, and anxiety/nerves/insomnia.


CONCLUSIONS
Ethnicity was related to the frequency of herbal use, the choice and preferred form of herb, and the source of knowledge of herbal remedies. Hispanic culture may account for the observed differences.
Dole
E J
EJ
College of Pharmacy, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque 87131-1066, USA. ejdole@unm.edu
Rhyne
R L
RL
Zeilmann
C A
CA
Skipper
B J
BJ
McCabe
M L
ML
Low Dog
T
T
D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D019684:Magnoliopsida; D008297:Male; D008517:Phytotherapy; D014481:United States; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*