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Thursday 25 June 2015

1804 The Lewis and Clark Expedition reaches the mouth of the Kansas River after completing a westward trek of nearly 400 river miles.

Research

Survey of Herbal Use by Kansas and Wisconsin WIC Participants Reveals Moderate, Appropriate Use and Identifies Herbal Education Needs


Abstract

Objective

To examine herbal use by a sample of low-income, nutritionally vulnerable children.

Design

Caregivers completed a survey of child and caregiver herbal usage practices.

Subjects/setting

A convenience sample of 2,562 caregivers to children participating in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) in Kansas and Wisconsin who were attending a WIC clinic was selected. WIC project selection was random, with stratification for geographic and ethnic representation.

Statistical Analyses Performed

Herbal usage profiles were described with measures of central tendency. Groups were compared with a two-tailed independent t test and χ2 for continuous and categorical variables, respectively.

Results

Child herbal use was reported on 917 surveys, representing 1,363 children ranging in age from 1 week to 17.5 years; 820 were younger than age 5 years. Herb use was greater among Latino children (48.4% vs 31.4%) and caregivers (43.4% vs 37.2%). Caregivers had a mean age of 27.8±8.32 years and 38.8% (n=994) denoted using herbs. Herbs most commonly used by children were aloe vera, chamomile, garlic, peppermint, lavender, cranberry, ginger, echinacea, and lemon. Reasons for herbal use paralleled recommendations. Family (78.9%) and friends (32.9%) were predominant information sources. Herbs with safety issues, such as St John’s wort, dong quai, and kava were used. Herbal use characteristics did not differ between states, but were unique for Latino clients.

Conclusions

Herbal use by WIC children is mostly congruent with known indications; however, practices with potential to harm urge herbal education in WIC clinics, especially for Latinos.

Address correspondence to: Barbara Lohse, PhD, RD, Associate Professor, Department of Nutritional Sciences, 5 B Henderson Hall, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802
B. Lohse is an associate professor, Department of Nutritional Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park; at the time of the study, she was an associate professor, Department of Human Nutrition, Kansas State University, Manhattan.
J. L. Stotts is a research assistant in the Department of Nutritional Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park; at the time of the study, she was an instructor, Department of Human Nutrition, Kansas State University, Manhattan.
J. R. Priebe is a clinical dietitian with San Luis Medical and Rehabilitation, Green Bay, WI; at the time of the study, she was a graduate student, Department of Food and Nutrition, University of Wisconsin-Stout, Menomonie.