Reasons people use herbal remedies in conjunction with modern medicine

The purpose of this study was to investigate people's stated reasons for using herbal remedies (in conjunction with modern medicine), to treat or prevent illness, and to investigate if people share their practices with medical care providers and, if not, stated reasons for silence. Fifty self-questionnaires were completed; of those, 5 subjects participated in personal interviews. Descriptive data were analyzed using raw numbers and percentages. The most prevalent reasons expressed by informants for using herbal remedies were (a) a need to be in control of their health and medical needs, (b) a trend toward mistrust of the medical establishment, (c) the high cost of medications and doctor visits, (d) concern with preventive medicine, and (e) a desire for a natural approach toward medical care. They also believed that herbs were safer to use than manufactured drugs. Reasons for not telling care providers about the use of herbal remedies included a fear of being laughed at, a perception that physicians are not interested in herbs, and a judgment that physicians do not listen to patients' concerns. Further research should be conducted to determine the best approach to promote trust between the care provider and the patient.