An-Najah Staff

This study sought to describe type, frequency, purpose and patterns of herbal medicine used by a sample of patients with cancer in Palestine. A cross-sectional survey of patients attending the outpatient cancer departments at the Governmental Hospitals was undertaken using semi-structured questionnaires.
Results A total of 1260 patients with cancer were interviewed. Of the participants, 60.9% (n = 767) reported using herbs primarily bought from Palestine (92.3%) frequently employed in the form of decoctions (43%). The most common herbal product was Arum palaestinum (22.5%). Most Complementary and Alternative (CAM) users were more than 40 years of age, predominantly female, and living in rural areas of Palestine. Family member’s recommendation was cited as the main factor prompting participants to use CAM (43.5%).
Conclusion This study revealed that there is an appreciable prevalence of herbal use among patients with cancer in Palestine.  

Objectives To measure the frequency of herbal medicine use among patients with diabetes mellitus in Palestine; to determine demographic characteristics that may increase the likelihood of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) use and to find out how benefits, if any, were perceived by patients.
Method Cross-sectional survey of patients attending the outpatient diabetes departments at 7 Governmental Hospitals. The method was based on semi-structured questionnaires.
Results A total of 1883 patients with diabetes were interviewed. Of the participants, 51.9% (n = 977) reported taking herbs primarily bought from Palestine (98%) and used in crude form mainly as decoctions (44.1%). The five most common herbal products used were: Trigonella berythea (Fabaceae) (n = 191, 19.6%), Rosmarinus officinalis (Lamiaceae) (n = 132, 13.5%), Olea europaea (Oleaceae) (n = 131, 13.4%), Teucrium capitatum (Lamiaceae) (n = 111, 11.4%), and Cinnamomum zeylanicum (Lauraceae) (n = 105, 10.8%). Most CAM users were above 40 years old 79.6% (n = 778), predominantly female (53.2%) and residents of refugee camps and rural areas (59.3, and 53.5, respectively). The recommendations of a family member or friend was the main factor prompting the use of CAM (40.2 and 37.1%). Most CAM users (71.7%) were satisfied with the perceived effects. Interestingly, 68% of patients recruited in the study did not disclose CAM use to their physicians or pharmacists.
Conclusion Use of herbal therapies in diabetes is highly prevalent in Palestine. More than 70% of those using CAM (977, 51.9%) reported positive benefits including a feeling of slowing down disease progression, symptom relief, disease resolution or a reduction in the side effects of allopathic medication. Use of CAM should be explored with patients before clinical decisions are made. There is a need for health education relating to herbal use in conjunction with conventional medicines in diabetes.  

Purpose To explore the frequency of CAM use among hypertensive patients in Palestine, determine demographic characteristics that may increase the likelihood of CAM use and to find out how benefits were perceived by patients.
Methods Across-sectional survey of patients attending outpatient hypertension clinics. The method was based on a semi-structured questionnaire.
Results Of the 4575 hypertensive patients interviewed, 85.7% respondents used at least one type of CAM. Of the 3921 CAM users, 62.13% reported taking herbs. Most of these users were >50 years old, of low educational level, and had a family history of HTN, 62.9% claimed to have obtained the desired effect from taking these herbs; however, 68.1% did not disclose this fact to their health care providers, 83 plant taxa were reported by these patients, Allium sativum was the most commonly used herb.
Conclusions The use of CAM, particularly herbal therapies for hypertension treatment, is highly prevalent in Palestine.