Nutritional and herbal product use situations in adult individuals' digestive system problems

This study was conducted to determine nutritional and herbal products used by adult individuals in their digestive system problems. The study sample consisted of 196 adult patients between 18 and 80 years old who had applied to a state hospital in Mersin province for any reason between December 2017 and March 2018, who were prescribed medication by doctors in the same hospital and who came to a pharmacy to provide prescriptions for medication. A questionnaire form prepared by the researcher was used as data collection tool in the study. Study data were evaluated using SPSS 17.0 packet program using appropriate statistical methods. In this study, where 196 adults were present, 120 (61.2%) individuals reported frequent gastrointestinal complaints. Of these individuals, 57 (53.8%) reported using digestive system complaints of food and plant products. 63 (70%) reported that they did not use food and herbal products in their digestive system complaints. No gastrointestinal complaints were found in 76 individuals (38.8%). However, 49 (46.2%) of the uncomfortable individuals reported using food and herbal products in their digestive system complaints. Among the nutrients and herbal products used by the digestive system complainants, 3 (2.5%) mineral water, 5 (4.2%) apple, 1 person (0.8%) chickpea, 4 people (3.3% 2.5) mint and 2 people (1.7%) were using ginger. Fifteen people (12.5%) stated that they had used mineral water, 2 (1.7%) carbonates, 4 people (3.3%) green tea, 5 people (4.2%) fennel and 4 people (3.3%) cumin use. For the constipation, 18 (15%) dried apricots, 9 (7.5%) olive oil, 3 (2.5%) dried fig, 1 person (0.8%) melon, 3 people (2.5%) thyme, 2 people ) cucumber + water, 2 people (1.7%) indicate use of flaxseed. 14 people (11.7%) stated that they used boiled potatoes, 7 (5.8%) dry Turkish coffee-lemon, 8 people (6.7%) bananas, 4 people (3.3%) cola and 2 people (1.7%) chickpea. As a result, for digestive system disorders, there is no proven activity on the media or other mass communication media, instead of using plant products or plants, increasing physical activity, balanced and regular feeding, providing sufficient water consumption, using correct cooking techniques, regulating dietary habits coming from above with simple lifestyle changes will be the basis for a healthy life. Keywords; Herbal Product, Traditional Treatment, Gastrointestinal System Diseases, Nutrition, Digestive System