The use of herbal medicine in patients with inflammatory bowel disorders in Iran: A cross-sectional study

• Published in: European journal of integrative medicine Vol. 71; p. 102384
• Main Authors: Shamsaddini, Ebrahim, Hasheminasab, Fatemeh Sadat, Raeiszadeh, Mahboobeh, Haji-Maghsoudi, Saiedeh, Azizian, Ahmad, Azimi, Maryam
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier GmbH 01.10.2024
• Subjects: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM); Ethnomedicine; Herbal medicine; Inflammatory bowel disorders (IBD); Traditional Persian medicine; CD; Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM); DASS; IBDQ; NSAID; IBD; Inflammatory bowel disorders (IBD); CAM; UC; WF; QOL; Herbal medicine; Traditional Persian medicine; CDAI; Ethnomedicine; WHO; BMI
• ISSN: 1876-3820
• DOI: 10.1016/j.eujim.2024.102384

•The use of herbal medicine has been on the rise, especially in chronic disorders.•This study assesses herbal medicine use in patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.•The most frequently herb utilized in this study is Matricaria chamomilla.•Herbal usage significantly correlated with quality of life, and symptom severity.•The results may not be generalizable to all patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease. The use of complementary and alternative medicine, particularly herbal medicine, is increasing, especially in chronic disorders. This study aims to identify common herbal medicines used by patients with inflammatory bowel disease, and to investigate their relationship with the quality of life, disease severity, and levels of anxiety, stress, and depression experienced by these patients. A total of 104 eligible patients with inflammatory bowel disease and in the middle years of life (20- 60 years old) participated in this cross-sectional study. Data collection was conducted using various assessment tools, i.e. a self-administered ethnomedicine questionnaire, Partial Mayo scoring index assessment, Crohn's disease activity index, Quality of Life Questionnaire, and Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale. The findings of the present study revealed that 61.5% of the patients surveyed commonly used herbal medicine to alleviate their symptoms in the past year. Among the various herbs, Matricaria chamomilla L., Zataria multiflora Boiss., and Mentha Spicata L. were found to be most commonly used. Furthermore, a significant association was identified between herbal medicine use and age, Body Mass Index, marital status, level of education, alcohol consumption, Quality of Life, and severity disorder scores of the patients. Our results suggested a significant association between herbal medicine use and lower severity disorder scores and higher quality of life in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. However, these findings may not be generalizable to all patients with inflammatory bowel disease, or to patients in other geographical regions.