Investigation of the Usage of Herbal Products During the Covid-19 Pandemic

During the COVID-19 pandemic period, herbal products have been used by patients for many purposes. In this study, the frequency of use of herbal products during the COVID-19 pandemic was investigated. This research is a cross-sectional study. Patients who admitted to an academic hospital (Gazi University Faculty of Medicine) Chest Diseases Clinic between November 2020-January 2021 were included in the study. It was concluded that approximately 32% of the patients used herbal products during the pandemic period and that the purpose of most of the participants was to strengthen the immune system. It was observed that the participants first consulted the spice sellers about the medicinal plants used against COVID-19. As a result, it has been determined that patients from many segments of society use herbal products against COVID-19 and they generally learn about the use of these products from nonmedical sources. In this work, as it is always emphasized in terms of human health, the importance of being the first address where physicians and pharmacists should provide consultancy services on herbal products during the COVID19 pandemic has been demonstrated once again.