Use of herbs among adults based on evidence-based indications: findings from the National Health Interview Survey.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the extent to which US adults use herbs (herbal supplements) in accordance with evidence-based indications.


METHODS
The Alternative Health supplement of the 2002 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) is part of an annual, nationally representative survey of US adults. It contains data on adults' use of the 10 herbs most commonly taken to treat a specific health condition in the past year (January 1 to December 31, 2002). The Natural Standard database was used to formulate evidence-based standards for herb use. These standards were applied to the NHIS data to identify groups of people who used herbs appropriately and inappropriately, using a multivariable logistic regression model.


RESULTS
Of the 30,617 adults surveyed, 5787 (18.9%) consumed herbs in the past 12 months; of those, 3315 (57.3%) used herbs to treat a specific health condition. Among people who used only 1 herb (except echinacea and ginseng), approximately one third used it consonant with evidence-based indications. Women and people with a college education were more likely to use herbs (with the exception of echinacea) concordant with scientific evidence. Adults younger than 60 years and black adults were significantly less likely to use herbs (with the exception of echinacea) based on evidentiary referents than their counterparts. However, for echinacea users, no significant differences were detected.


CONCLUSIONS
Roughly two thirds of adults using commonly consumed herbs (except echinacea) did not do so in accordance with evidence-based indications. Health care professionals should take a proactive role, and public health policies should disseminate evidence-based information regarding consumption of herbal products.
Bardia
Aditya
A
Department of Epidemiology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.
Nisly
Nicole L
NL
Zimmerman
M Bridget
MB
Gryzlak
Brian M
BM
Wallace
Robert B
RB
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D020900:Echinacea; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D020441:Ginkgo biloba; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D005894:Panax; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012651:Self Medication / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014481:United States