title: Complementary therapies in allergic rhinitis.
abstract: Objective. To determine the prevalence of herbal treatment of allergic rhinitis. Methods. In this prospective study, patients who were diagnosed with perennial allergic rhinitis were questioned about their use of natural products/herbal therapies for their symptoms. Results. In total, 230 patients were enrolled. Overall, 37.3% of the patients stated that they had used natural products/herbal therapies at least once. Women were more likely than men to use herbal supplements (38.3% versus 32.4%). Ten different types of herbal supplements were identified, with stinging nettle (Urtica dioicath), black elderberry (Sambucus nigra), and Spirulina being the most common (12.6%, 6.1%, and 5.7%, resp.). Conclusion. This study found a high prevalence of herbal treatment usage for the relief of allergic rhinitis symptoms in Turkey. The herbal products identified in this study and in the literature are discussed.
authors: Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Department, Bakırkoy Dr. Sadi Konuk Training and Research Hospital, 34147 Istanbul, Turkey.
authors: Ibrahim
authors: I
authors: Sayin
authors: Cemal
authors: C
authors: Cingi
authors: Fatih
authors: F
authors: Oghan
authors: Bahadir
authors: B
authors: Baykal
authors: Seckin
authors: S
authors: Ulusoy