Table 5.
Herbs used; respondents reported purposes and adverse effects (n=199)*
| Types of herb used | Frequency (%) | Main purpose given by respondents | Adverse effects experienced |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kariyat (Andrographis paniculata) |
23 (11.6) |
Common cold, fever, sore throat, diabetes |
Increased SCr |
| Turmeric (Curcuma longa) |
19 (9.5) |
Gastrointestinal symptoms**, constipation, CKD |
- |
| Horseradish tree (Moringa oleifera) |
16 (8.0) |
Diabetes, hypertension, constipation |
Unable to stop bleeding |
| Mixed botanical extract or fruit drink |
12 (6.0) |
CKD, diabetes, well-being |
- |
| Ginseng (Panax spp.) |
7 (3.5) |
Well-being |
- |
| Holy mushroom (Garnoderma lucidum) |
5 (2.5) |
CKD |
Oedema |
| River spiderwort (Tradescantia fluminensis) |
4 (2.0) |
CKD |
Increased SCr, fatigue |
| Babbler’s Bill Leaf (Thunbergia laurifolia) |
3 (1.5) |
Detoxification, diabetes |
- |
| Senna (Senna alexandrina) |
3 (1.5) |
Constipation |
- |
| Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) |
3 (1.5) |
Improved brain function |
- |
| Boesenbergia (Boesenbergia rotunda) |
3 (1.5) |
CKD |
- |
| Garlic |
3 (1.5) |
Dyslipidemia |
- |
| Mixed Thai traditional herbs called “Ya Hom” |
3 (1.5) |
Well-being, fainting, dizziness |
- |
| Heart-leaved moonseed (Tinospora cripa) |
3 (1.5) |
Diabetes,well-being |
- |
| Coix seed (Semen Coicis) |
3 (1.5) |
CKD, well-being, diabetes |
- |
| Vap Ca (Houttuynia cordata) |
2 (1.0) |
Kidney stones, CKD |
- |
| Aloe (Aloe vera) |
2 (1.0) |
Diuretic effects, well-being |
- |
| Blue Pea (Clitoria ternatea) |
2 (1.0) |
CKD |
- |
| Mixed 3 or 6 types of mushrooms |
2 (1.0) |
CKD |
- |
| Shiitake mushroom (Lentinus edodes) |
2 (1.0) |
CKD, well-being |
- |
| Cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum) |
2 (1.0) |
Diabetes |
- |
| Mixed Thai traditional herbs called “Ya Khom” |
2 (1.0) |
Fever |
- |
| Mixed Thai traditional herbs called “Ka Sai” |
2 (1.0) |
Constipation, well-being |
- |
| Jujube (Zizyphus mauritiana) and Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) |
2 (1.0) |
CKD, dyslipidemia |
- |
| Spirulina |
2 (1.0) |
Detoxification, diabetes |
- |
| Lemongrass |
1 (0.5) |
Dyslipidemia and CKD |
- |
| Boesenbergia, sweet basil, honey and lime juice |
1 (0.5) |
CKD |
Fainting |
| Boesenbergia, mint, ginger, galangal, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves and shallots |
1 (0.5) |
CKD |
- |
| Spring bitter cucumber (Momordica cochinchinensis) |
1 (0.5) |
CKD |
- |
| Lime |
1 (0.5) |
Kidney stones |
- |
| Chinese folk remedy - Cordyceps, Lovage (Angelica sinensis), deer antler velvet, cinnamon and Schisandra berry (Schisandra chinensis) |
1 (0.5) |
CKD |
- |
| Paragrass roots (Brachiaria mutica) and pomegranate leaves (Punica granatum) |
1 (0.5) |
CKD |
- |
| Leaves of Clerodendrum petasites |
1 (0.5) |
CKD |
- |
| Java tea | 1 (0.5) | Diuretic effects | - |
* Respondents reported more than one type of herb used.
** Flatulance, dyspepsia and peptic ulcers; SCr = Serum creatinine.