Traditional Medicine and Its Role in the Management of Diabetes Mellitus: “Patients’ and Herbalists’ Perspectives”

Joint Authors

Kasole, Rose
Martin, Haikael D.
Kimiywe, Judith

Source

Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Issue

Vol. 2019, Issue 2019 (31 Dec. 2019), pp.1-12, 12 p.

Publisher

Hindawi Publishing Corporation

Publication Date

2019-07-04

Country of Publication

Egypt

No. of Pages

12

Main Subjects

Medicine

Abstract EN

Background.

Diabetes mellitus is a complicated health condition with multiple causes and many treatment options.

Various myths may influence diabetics’ health-seeking behavior, and they may use traditional medicines, which include normal foods and herbs, for primary health care.

The aim of this study was to determine patients’ and herbalists’ practices and perspectives regarding the use of traditional medicines and the role of traditional medicines in the management of diabetes.

Methods and Findings.

We conducted a cross-sectional study with a mixed-methods design.

We interviewed 140 patients attending diabetic clinics using a structured questionnaire, conducted focus group discussions with an additional 20 diabetic patients, and conducted in-depth interviews with 8 local herbalists.

The majority of the diabetic participants believed that diabetes is caused by a high-carbohydrate diet.

Of the 140 participants who answered the questionnaire, 67.2% reported using traditional medicines to manage their diabetes, including 58.6% who reported using both conventional medicines and traditional medicines.

Some participants believed that combining conventional and traditional medicines improved the effectiveness of treatment.

Reasons given for using traditional medicines included the high cost of conventional treatment and the availability and accessibility of the traditional medicines.

The most commonly used traditional medicines were indigenous vegetables and medicinal plant products including amalanth leaves, hare lettuce leaves, nightshade leaves, spider plant leaves, okra pods, moringa leaves and seeds, soursop leaves, black plum back, avocado seed, and lemongrass.

Conclusion.

Patients and herbalists provided a range of perspectives regarding the use of traditional medicines to treat diabetes.

Further research is needed to identify bioactive compounds present in commonly used traditional medicines and their efficacy.

American Psychological Association (APA)

Kasole, Rose& Martin, Haikael D.& Kimiywe, Judith. 2019. Traditional Medicine and Its Role in the Management of Diabetes Mellitus: “Patients’ and Herbalists’ Perspectives”. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine،Vol. 2019, no. 2019, pp.1-12.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1149148

Modern Language Association (MLA)

Kasole, Rose…[et al.]. Traditional Medicine and Its Role in the Management of Diabetes Mellitus: “Patients’ and Herbalists’ Perspectives”. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine No. 2019 (2019), pp.1-12.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1149148

American Medical Association (AMA)

Kasole, Rose& Martin, Haikael D.& Kimiywe, Judith. Traditional Medicine and Its Role in the Management of Diabetes Mellitus: “Patients’ and Herbalists’ Perspectives”. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2019. Vol. 2019, no. 2019, pp.1-12.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1149148

Data Type

Journal Articles

Language

English

Notes

Includes bibliographical references

Record ID

BIM-1149148