Volume 150, Issue 1, 28 October 2013, Pages 79–84
Use of herbal medicines during pregnancy in a group of Palestinian women
Abstract
Ethnopharmacological relevance
The
use of herbal medicines during pregnancy is common worldwide due to
physiological changes that lead to pregnancy related problems.
Objectives
The
aims of this study were to measure the prevalence and predictors of
herb use among a group of Palestinian pregnant women and the possible
influence of herbal consumption on pregnancy outcomes.
Methods
This
study was a questionnaire-based cross sectional descriptive study. It
was conducted in the maternity ward of a governmental hospital between
March and May 2012, a random sample of women who gave birth during the
study period were met and asked to answer a face to face questionnaire.
Results
Out
of 300 women, 120 women (40.0%) used herbs during pregnancy; most women
preferred to use herbs because they thought herbs are safer than
medications (82.5%), women based in their choices mainly on advice from
family or doctors (36.7%, 33.0%, respectively), 65.8% of them told their
doctors that they used herbs, 91.7% considered these therapies
beneficial, and 99.2% reported no side effects. The most commonly used
herbs were anise (Pimpinella anisum) (61.7%), chamomile (Matricaria recutita) (53.3%), sage (Salvia officinalis) (55%), mixture of herbs (33.3%), and thyme (Thymus vulgaris)
(29.2%). Most women were using herbs on as needed bases. There were no
statistically significant differences between users and non-users of
herbs in all socio-demographic variables and pregnancy outcomes.
Conclusions
This
study found that the use of herbs during pregnancy is very common among
Palestinian women. Infrequent use of herbs during pregnancy seems to be
safe and beneficial. To provide the best care to pregnant women who use
herbal products, clinicians and pharmacist are recommended to stay up
to date with herb use and their safety in pregnancy. Not all women tell
their doctors about herbal products use, so the physicians are
recommended to ask pregnant women about this to avoid any possible
negative outcomes on the mother or the fetus.