Use of Herbal Medicine by Elderly Hispanic and Non-Hispanic White Patients Zeilmann CA, Dole EJ, Skipper BJ, McCabe M, Dog TL, Rhyne RL Pharmacotherapy. 2003;23(4):526-532 An ambulatory care clinic in New Mexico served as the setting for a cross-sectional, interviewer-administered survey of elderly patients at least 65 years of age. A total of 186 patients were included in the survey, 45% of participants were Hispanic and 55% were non-Hispanic. Patients reviewed a list of common herbal remedies and were asked to list the health problem for which they had used an herbal therapy; the patient also wrote down herbal therapies used that were not included on the list. Only herbs used for the treatment or prevention of disease were included in the survey. Forty-nine percent of respondents indicated herbal remedy use in the past 12 months. Less than half of patients (Hispanic and non-Hispanic) reported informing their physician of their herbal therapy. Most patients indicated they would prefer a prescription herb to a prescription drug. Common reasons for herb use included healthcare maintenance, dyspepsia, skin problems, cold symptoms, anxiety, insomnia, arthritis, cough, nausea and vomiting, bladder infection, and gastroenteritis. The most common herbal remedies used by the patients were spearmint, chamomile, aloe vera, garlic, brook mint, osha, lavender, ginger, ginseng, and camphor. Pharmacotherapy April 2003 (Volume 23, Number 4) Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.