Table 2. Prevalence and pattern of herbal medicine use, referral, and sources of information among pregnant women from the Middle East.
| Study | Prevalence of use | Herbs used | Reason for use | Recommended by | Source of information | Trimester |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Al-Riyami et al, 201111 | 23.8% | Ginger: 7.9%; honey: 6.5%; thyme: 5.0%; green tea: 3.6% | Flu and cold: 9.4%; flatulence: 6.5% Nausea: 5.0%; infection: 4.3% |
NR | NR | First:17.3% Second:17.1% Third:15.0% |
| Tabatabaee et al, 201112 |
82.3% | Ammi: 22.6%; saatar: 12.6%; sweet basil: 28.0%; peppermint: 9.0%; ginger: 5.4%; cinnamon: 5.4%; chamomile: 4.5% | GI related problem: 32.1%; nausea and vomiting:20.2%; prevent neonatal hyperbilirubinemia:14.7%; common cold:11.0% Urinary tract infection:5.5%; sedation: 4.6% increase child intelligence: 3.7% |
Family: 87.3%; primary maternity care providers: 7.6%; friends; neighbors: 2.5%; midwife: 2.5% | NR | First: 36.7% Second:15.2% Third: 31.0% Any time: 17.1% |
| Dabaghian et al, 201213 | 67.0% Mean: 2.7±1.9 herbs/individual |
Peppermint: 32.8%; olibanum: 26.3% | Bloating, stomach ache:30.2%; respiratory infections:18.7%; nausea; vomiting:11.5%; heart burn:8.7%; anxiety:4.7%, Sleep disorders:4.7%; skin problems:2.9% |
Family/friends: 77.5%; herbalists/pharmacist/other pregnant women; gynecologist: 9.7%; general physician: 5.2% | Family, friends: 60.2% Books/newspapers/magazines/internet: 49.7% Herbal store/ pharmacy: 26.7% Television: 15.5% Physician: 12.8% |
NR |
| Sattari et al, 201214 | 22.3% | NR | NR | NR | Physicians: 46.0% Family/friends: 9.0% Self: 44.9% |
NR |
| Sawalha et al, 200715 |
45.8% | Sage, aniseeds, chamomile, thyme, fenugreek, mixture of herbs, garlic, ginger |
Abdominal pain:36.0%; anxiety: 14.5%; Flu: 13.3%; cough: 9.6%. | Self: 55.1%; families; friends:27.6%; herbalists; pharmacists; other pregnant women; gynecologist:9.7%; general physician:5.2% | NR | NR |
| Hashim et al, 200516 | 65.2% | Herbal mixes: 24.0%; ginger:17.0%; aniseed: 1.0%; fenugreek: 9%; mint: 9.0%; thyme, sage; lemon: 8.0%; chamomile: 6.0% |
Indigestion, cold and flu, tension relief, urinary tract infection (UTI), constipation, stomach pain. vomiting, abdominal cramps, good for health | NR | Friends/family: 65%, Magazines/TV/newspapers: 13.0%, Internet: 7.0%, General practitioner: 4.0%, Gynecologist: 4.0% Herbalist: 2.0% |
First:67.5% Second:37.7% Third: 28.9% (usage of herbal medicine alone not reported) |
| Khadivzadeh et al, 201217 | 49.2% | Traditional herb: 73.2% Herb based drugs: 26.8% |
Increase child’s intelligence: 49.5%; heartburn: 10.5%; cold and flu: 6.1%; nausea; vomiting: 5.7%; strong; beautiful child: 5.3%; gastric pain:1.4%; bloating:1.4% | NR | Friends/family: 33.5%; obstetricians/midwives: 41.5%; books/magazines: 6.7%; traditional; healers: 3.6%; Radio/TV: 5.1% | First:64.3% Second: 28.9% Third: 5.4% (usage of herbal medicine alone not reported) |
| Orief et al, 201218 |
27.3% | Ginger: 29.3%; peppermint: 11.0%; fenugreek: 31.7%; green tea: 19.5%; garlic: 22.0%; aniseed: 40.2% | Nausea/vomiting: 28.0%; abdominal colic: 47.6%; dysuria: 9.7%; headache: 2.4% no indication: 18.2% |
Physicians: 11.0%; self: 18.3%; friends: 28.0% Family: 42.7% |
||
| Adawi et al, 201219 |
40.0% | Anise: 61.7%; chamomile: 53.3%; sage: 45.8%; thyme: 29.0%; date: 28.3%; peppermint: 14.2%; cinnamon: 10.8%; fenugreek: 9.2%; cumin: 6.7%; ginger: 3.3% | Flu and cough, abdominal pain, omiting; diuretic, chest pain, laxative, infection, flatulence, relaxation, pharyngitis, teeth pain, energy, facilitate delivery | Self: 29.2% Family: 35.8% Doctor: 32.5% Pharmacist: 0.8% Family and doctor: 1.7% |
First 7.5% Second: 20.0% Third: 35.8% Throughout: 23.3% |
NR: not reported