Article

Conditions frequently self-treated with herbal remedies by patients visiting a tertiary hospital in Gauteng, South Africa

Published in: South African Family Practice
Volume 57 , issue 1 , 2015 , pages: 8–11

DOI: 10.1080/20786190.2014.977066

Author(s): André Marais Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, South Africa , Vanessa Steenkamp Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, South Africa , Wim J Du Plooy Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, South Africa

Keywords: chronic conditions , herbal remedies , out-patients , South Africa , traditional medicine

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Abstract

Background: Herbal medications are used worldwide for a variety of diseases and conditions. Patients often elect not to disclose their herbal use history, or health care practitioners fail to enquire about specific alternative therapy. The aim of this study was to assess the conditions most frequently self-treated with herbal remedies by patients visiting a tertiary hospital in Garankuwa, South Africa.

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