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Prevalence of Use of Herbal and Traditional Medicines

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Pharmacovigilance for Herbal and Traditional Medicines

Abstract

Herbal and traditional medicines are complex mixtures comprising up to several hundred or more potentially active constituents. The active constituent(s) responsible for pharmacological activity, however, is/are often unknown. Herbal and traditional medicines are available in a wide range of dose forms, from relatively crude preparations (e.g., tinctures, extracts) to manufactured or finished products (e.g., tablets, capsules).

In some countries, herbal medicines are regulated as a stand-alone category; in others, they may be included under a broader group of products (e.g., “natural health products”), alongside other products, such as vitamins, minerals, and probiotics. In some countries, herbal medicines are captured by existing food or medicine regulations. Some herbal substances are classified as prescription or non-prescription medicines, or as a range of different food categories (e.g., health foods, functional foods). Regardless of the regulatory approach, the aim for regulation is to protect consumer health by ensuring that herbal medicines are at least safe for use and of appropriate quality.

Available data suggest that the use of herbal and traditional medicines is substantial internationally; however, prevalence of use varies across countries owing to differences in access, regulations, cultural aspects, historical influence, and conventional healthcare system advancement. Generally, prevalence of use is higher in low-income countries where access to conventional healthcare is limited, traditional medicine is prominent due to its cultural and historical importance, and where traditional medicine is one of the primary sources, or sometimes the only accessible source of healthcare.

Many reasons, including affordability and easy accessibility, contribute to the popularity of herbal and traditional medicines. One of the main drivers is consumers’ belief that these “natural products” are safe and free from the risk of adverse effects. The substantial prevalence of use under the current regulatory landscape raises concerns over sufficient public health protection from unsafe and poor-quality products.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand

    E Lyn Lee & Joanne Barnes

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Correspondence to E Lyn Lee .

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  1. School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand

    Joanne Barnes

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Lee, E.L., Barnes, J. (2022). Prevalence of Use of Herbal and Traditional Medicines. In: Barnes, J. (eds) Pharmacovigilance for Herbal and Traditional Medicines. Adis, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-07275-8_2

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