Eugenia Gallo1, Ersilia Lucenteforte2, Fabio Firenzuoli3, Francesca Menniti-Ippolito4, Valentina Maggini5, Alessandra Pugi5, Vittorio Mascherini3, Luigi Gori3, Alessandro Mugelli5, Alfredo Vannacci1. 1. Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Drug Research and Children's Health, University of Florence, Florence, Italy; Centre for Integrative Medicine, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy. 2. Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Drug Research and Children's Health, University of Florence, Florence, Italy. Electronic address: ersilia.lucenteforte@unifi.it. 3. Centre for Integrative Medicine, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy. 4. National Center of Epidemiology, Surveillance and Health Promotion, National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy. 5. Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Drug Research and Children's Health, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Although there are several studies which have investigated pharmacists' knowledge of the safety of medicinal plants (MPs), no studies have examined herbalists' perception of risks associated with MPs. METHODS: We conducted a survey of 159 herbalists (participation rate 85.9%) in the region of Tuscany (Italy). Data were collected by means of a semi-structured questionnaire using a face-to-face interview. Risk perception was rated on a 10 cm Visual Analogic Scale (VAS). Herbalists' scores were then compared with those reported by a group of 10 experts in herbal medicine. RESULTS: When the overall risk was examined, herbalists had a low perception of the risks (VAS median ranged between 1.5 and 3.2) associated with the use of most MPs (Allium sativum, Aloe vera gel, Echinacea spp., Escholtzia californica, Harpagophytum procumbens, and propolis). They had an intermediate or high perception of risks associated with use of Cimicifuga racemosa, Citrus aurantium, and Panax ginseng (median ranged between 3.5 and 5.0), and for anthraquinone laxatives (median 7.2). Although the overall risk perceived by experts was generally higher than that reported by herbalists, differences were statistically significant only for Allium sativum and Escholtzia californica. CONCLUSION: The study shows that herbalists in Tuscany are knowledgeable about the relative risks of MPs when compared with experts in herbal medicine.
OBJECTIVE: Although there are several studies which have investigated pharmacists' knowledge of the safety of medicinal plants (MPs), no studies have examined herbalists' perception of risks associated with MPs. METHODS: We conducted a survey of 159 herbalists (participation rate 85.9%) in the region of Tuscany (Italy). Data were collected by means of a semi-structured questionnaire using a face-to-face interview. Risk perception was rated on a 10 cm Visual Analogic Scale (VAS). Herbalists' scores were then compared with those reported by a group of 10 experts in herbal medicine. RESULTS: When the overall risk was examined, herbalists had a low perception of the risks (VAS median ranged between 1.5 and 3.2) associated with the use of most MPs (Allium sativum, Aloe vera gel, Echinacea spp., Escholtzia californica, Harpagophytum procumbens, and propolis). They had an intermediate or high perception of risks associated with use of Cimicifuga racemosa, Citrus aurantium, and Panax ginseng (median ranged between 3.5 and 5.0), and for anthraquinone laxatives (median 7.2). Although the overall risk perceived by experts was generally higher than that reported by herbalists, differences were statistically significant only for Allium sativum and Escholtzia californica. CONCLUSION: The study shows that herbalists in Tuscany are knowledgeable about the relative risks of MPs when compared with experts in herbal medicine.
Authors: Mohammad Waheed El-Anwar; Said Abdelmonem; Ahmed A Abdelsameea; Mohamed AlShawadfy; Kamal El-Kashishy Journal: Int Arch Otorhinolaryngol Date: 2016-02-26