Traditional Medicine and Its Role in the Management of Diabetes Mellitus: (Patients’ and Herbalists’ Perspectives)
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Date
2019
Authors
Kasole, Rose
Martin, Haikael D.
Kimiywe, Judith
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Hindawi Publisher
Abstract
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 traditionalmedicines and the role of traditionalmedicines in themanagement 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.
Description
An Article Published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine