Prevalence and use of herbal products in the Czech Republic: over-the-counter survey among adult pharmacies clients.

Objectives: To analyse which species of herbs are preferred by Czech adult respondents, the most important predictors influencing their use, and information sources used.

Method: Data were collected face-to-face via an interviewer-administrated structured questionnaire from convenience sample of adults from metropolis, as well as peri-urban and rural areas, from February to June 2007.

Results: There is a high prevalence (56.6%) of herbal product (HPs) use as well as herb-drug co-medication without frequent physician consultation. Literature is the main source of herbal product information, followed by mass media (20%) and family tradition (12%). In comparison to other countries, differences in urban-rural perspectives were observed regarding information sources as well as preferences of local herb species. Mentha × piperita (18.4%), Melissa officinalis (12.4%), Plantago lanceolata (12.2%), Tilia cordata (11.8%) and Matricaria recutita (10.7%) are the most preferred herb species for herbal products preparation. Gender, educational status and age are significant factors that influence the number of herb species used. Head or chest colds, stomach or intestinal illnesses and immunity and regeneration support are the most common ailments treated by herbal products according to our respondents.

Conclusion: High utilisation of herbal products was confirmed and the most important predictors of use were identified. Further research is needed to validate and/or replicate our results. Our survey may provide a basis for pharmacists, physicians, healthcare providers as well as for policy makers to effectively manage increasing prevalence of herbal products among the Czech population.