Use of herbal products among adult patients with diabetes attending a major diabetes centre in Benghazi, Libya
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Abstract
Introduction: Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common chronic diseases worldwide and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Herbal remedies with potential hypoglycaemic effects have been used for centuries; however, only a limited number have undergone rigorous scientific evaluation to establish their safety and efficacy.
Aim: To investigate the use of traditional herbal remedies among adult patients with diabetes attending a major diabetes centre in Benghazi, Libya.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among adult patients with diabetes attending a major diabetes centre in Benghazi, Libya. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire covering sociodemographic characteristics, clinical characteristics, and herbal product use. Data were analysed using SPSS, and associations between herbal use and sociodemographic and clinical variables were examined.
Results: A total of 176 patients participated (response rate: 96.2%). Most participants were female, aged 46- 75 years, had no formal education, were unemployed, had low incomes, had diabetes for more than 10 years, were receiving both insulin and oral antidiabetic drugs, and had one or more comorbidities. Use of herbal products was reported by 19.9% of participants. No significant associations were observed between herbal use and sociodemographic or clinical variables (p > 0.05). Cinnamon and olive leaves were the most commonly used herbal remedies. Among herbal users, 85.7% reported satisfaction with their use, while self-motivation (31.4%) and media influence (25.7%) were the most common reasons for use. Notably, 74.3% did not disclose herbal use to their physicians.
Conclusion: Herbal product use was reported by a relatively small proportion of participants (19.9%), with no significant sociodemographic or clinical predictors. However, most herbal users did not disclose their use to their physicians, potentially increasing the risk of herb–drug interactions and other adverse outcomes. These findings highlight the need to educate patients with diabetes about the risks of using herbal products without consulting healthcare professionals.
Keywords: Diabetes mellitus, herbal medicine, herb–drug interactions, patient disclosure, cross-sectional study, Libya
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