A Questionnaire-Based Study on Use of Plants in Diabetic Patients

Objective: Among patients diagnosed with diabetes mellitus, we aimed to investigate the rates of use of medicinal plants, detailed information on use and purchase, socio-demographic characteristics associated with the tendency to use plants, and the status of reporting to health care professionals. Methods: The study was conducted in family health centers where patients diagnosed with diabetes mellitus visited. A questionnaire form of objective questions was filled for patients. The questionnaire included socio-demographic characteristics (age, gender, education) of the patients, disease condition, medicines used, and whether or not they used plants. If so, more information was obtained on the plants that are the name, used part, preparation method, frequency of administration, the place from which the plants was obtained, the person who advised the product, the knowledge of the physician and his/her attitude about herbals. Results: 100 people (66% women, 34% men) participated in the study between the ages of 24-80, 13% of them have Type 1 and 87% have Type 2 diabetes. Only 11% of patients use plants. Eight plants have been identified. The most commonly used plant (36.36%) is cinnamon. Among the usage of the plants, decoction is placed on the top, with 78%. 62.5% of the patients obtain the plants from herbal shops. Friends or relatives are the primary sources of information regarding medicinal plant use (73%). Conclusion: By increasing the knowledge of physicians about plants, it has been seen that patients can share their usage of plants more easily with physicians.