Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate and analyze the
utilizations of herbal medications among diabetic patients in the West Bank.
Method: A structured questionnaire was distributed to governmental
primary health centers in west-bank. Patients attending the diabetic clinic in
those primary health care centers were asked to fill in the questionnaire and
give it back to the attending physician in the clinic. Every third patient attending the clinic was asked by the attending physician to fill in the
questionnaire.
Results: Four hundred questionnaires were distributed all over west bank
primary health care centers. Three hundred and forty nine questionnaire
were filled correctly and returned to the investigator. 195 subjects (56%)
were found to be using herbs, with the majority of them using conventional
medical treatment along herbal therapy and they thought these herbs are
efficacious. The commonest herbs used were Fenugreek, Nigella seeds,
Aloe Vera, Sage, Garlic and Onion.
Conclusion: Herbal medication is common among Palestinian diabetic
patients. Physicians who work with diabetic people should ask patients
about their use of these therapies to avoid any adverse herb-drug
interactions that may occur for patients receiving both conventional and
herbal therapies.