Investigation of the use of herbal products for treatment during coronavirus (COVID-19) infection

Objective: The use of herbal products has increased during the pandemic caused by coronavirus 2019 disease (COVID-19). This study was conducted to determine the herbal products used for treatment during COVID-19, their intended use, and related factors related to using herbal products. Materials and Methots: The cross-sectional online survey study was conducted between May and July 2022. Individuals aged 18 and over who were confirmed to have previously had COVID-19 were included in the study. Results: The average age of the 248 individuals participating in the study was 34.44±11.39 years and 55.6% were women. It was found that 77.8% of the participants used herbal products for treatment during COVID-19. The use of herbal products during COVID-19 was found to be significantly higher in those over 30 years of age, those who were married, and those who were not university graduates (p<0.05). The rate of using painkillers and antipyretics was found to be statistically significantly higher in individuals who did not use herbal products (81.8%) than in individuals who used herbal products (61.7%) (p=0.005). It was determined that 95.3% of individuals using herbal products used fruits and vegetables, 78.8% used herbal tea, 46.1% used spices, 19.7% used herbal tablets, and 10.4% used vegetable oil. . Lemon, tangerine/orange, mint and thyme were found to be the most used products for general treatment purposes. Ginger, lemon, honey and thyme were the most used products to increase body resistance and reduce cough. It was found that participants used various herbal products to reduce fever, runny nose, pain, stomach discomfort and shortness of breath. It was determined that 49.2% of individuals using herbal products used them once or twice a day. It was found that herbal products were learned mostly from relatives and friends (71.5%). It was found that 78.8% of individuals using herbal products thought they were beneficial and 77.2% did not consult their doctor about using the product. Conclusion: It has been found that herbal products are widely used to increase body resistance, reduce symptoms and general treatment during COVID-19 infection. It is important to inform the public about the appropriate use of herbal products for therapeutic purposes. Keywords: COVID-19, Traditional and Complementary Medicine, Herbal product