An ethnopharmacological study and the therapeutic reference values of phytomedicines used for relieving minor CNS disorders
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.3779Keywords:
anti-anxiety, phytotherapy, insomnia, ethnopharmacologyAbstract
The current study aims to evaluate the practice of prescribing and dispensing herbal medicines by patients and herbalists for treating minor CNS disorders. Two groups of participants were recruited: adults who admitted using herbal medications and herbalists. A questionnaire with multiple compartments was distributed using social media. The sample size was 384, which was compatible with the non-probability convenience sampling strategy. The reference therapeutic, used and combined values were computed. The majority of the respondents were females (69 %) in their second and third decades (36.2 and 34.9 respectively), acquired at least a college degree (~72.9 %). They admitted having a good knowledge of alternative therapy and considered them safe (76.8 % and 58.6 % respectively). Around 55 % of the respondents have trust issues with health service providers and prefer to seek the help of expert herbalists. The computed therapeutic values disclosed significant differences between the analyzed herbs. The highest parameter was for the anise (0.4133 ± 0.11719), reflecting that it has the highest concentration. Peppermint occupied the second order (0.19 ± 0.036060). Tea placed third (0.1333 ± 0.07572), followed by chamomile (0.1033 ± 0.10017), Ginger (0.0333 ± 0.03055) and lemon balm (0.05 ± 0.05568). Rosemary and Marjoram showed comparatively lower means. The herbalists were in complete agreement on the use of anise and chamomile for anxiety, lemon balm and anise for insomnia, hibiscus for tachycardia, caraway for COVID-related stress and cinnamon for premenstrual syndrome. Despite the approved efficiency and safety of some herbal remedies, it is mandatory to strengthen trust in healthcare.
Downloads
References
Riemann D, Benz F, Dressle RJ, et al. Insomnia disorder: State of the science and challenges for the future. J Sleep Res. 2022;31(4):e13604. https://doi.org/10.1111/jsr.13604.
Zhang T, Xie X, Li Q, et al. Hypogyrification in generalized anxiety disorder and associated with Insomnia symptoms. Nat Sci Sleep. 2022;25(14):1009-19. https://doi.org/10.2147/NSS.S358763
Tyrer P, Baldwin D. Generalised anxiety disorder. The Lancet. 2006;16;368(9553):2156-66. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(06)69865-6.
Liu L, Liu C, Wang Y, et al. Herbal medicine for anxiety, depression and insomnia. Curr Neuropharmacol. 2015;13(4):481-93. https://doi.org/10.2174/1570159x1304150831122734.
Aydin Guclu O, Karadag M, Akkoyunlu ME, et al. Association between burnout, anxiety and insomnia in healthcare workers: a cross-sectional study. Psychol Health Med. 2022;27(5):1117-30. https://doi.org/10.1080/13548506.2021.1874434.
Chen G, Yang L, Luo HL, et al. First report of leaf spot on passion fruit in China, caused by Alternaria alternata. Plant Dis. 2023;107(4):1229. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-06-22-1322-PDN.
De Crescenzo F, D'Alò GL, Ostinelli EG, et al. Comparative effects of pharmacological interventions for the acute and long-term management of insomnia disorder in adults: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. Lancet. 2022;16:400(10347):170-84. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(22)00878-9.
Yang X, Wen Y, Peng H, et al. Gender differences in anxiety, depression, insomnia and quality of life in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: A multicenter, cross-sectional study. J Cardiovasc Nurs. 2023;38(5):425-32. https://doi.org/10.1097/JCN.0000000000000951
Alqahtani JS, AlRabeeah SM, Aldhahir AM, et al. Sleep quality, insomnia, anxiety, fatigue, stress, memory and active coping during the COVID-19 pandemic. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022;19(9):4940. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19094940.
Kalmbach DA, Anderson JR, Drake CL. The impact of stress on sleep: Pathogenic sleep reactivity as a vulnerability to insomnia and circadian disorders. J Sleep Res. 2018;27(6):e12710. https://doi.org/10.1111/jsr.12710.
Kenda M, Ko?evar Glava? N, Nagy M, et al. Medicinal plants used for anxiety, depression or stress treatment: An update. Molecules. 2022;15;27(18):6021 https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27186021.
Yuan K, Zheng YB, Wang YJ, et al. A systematic review and meta-analysis on prevalence of and risk factors associated with depression, anxiety and insomnia in infectious diseases, including COVID-19: a call to action. Mol Psychiatry. 2022;27(8):3214-22. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41380-022-01638-z.
Oteir AO, Nazzal MS, Ala'a FJ, et al. Depression, anxiety and insomnia among frontline healthcare workers amid the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) in Jordan: a cross-sectional study. BMJ Open. 2022;1;12(1):e050078. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2021-050078.
Wo?y?czyk-Gmaj D, Jakubczyk A, Trucco EM, et al. Emotional dysregulation, anxiety symptoms and insomnia in individuals with alcohol use disorder. IJERPH. 2022;25;19(5):2700. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19052700.
Li L, Wu C, Gan Y, et al. Insomnia and the risk of depression: a meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies. BMC Psychiatry. 2016;16:1-6. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-016-1075-3.
Wang W, Wang Y, Guo Q, et al. Valerian essential oil for treating insomnia via the serotonergic synapse pathway. Front Nutr. 2022;28(9):927434. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2022.927434
Baek JH, Nierenberg AA, Kinrys G. Clinical applications of herbal medicines for anxiety and insomnia; targeting patients with bipolar disorder. Aust N Z J Psychiatry. 2014;48(8):705-15. https://doi.org/10.1177/0004867414539198.
Sarris J, Panossian A, Schweitzer I, et al. Herbal medicine for depression, anxiety and insomnia: a review of psychopharmacology and clinical evidence. ENP. 2011;1;21(12):841-60. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.euroneuro.2011.04.002.
Shudifat RE, Mosleh S, Almakhzomi S, et al. Measuring the knowledge and perception of Jordanian health science students towards self-prescribed medications: a descriptive analysis study. JPHSR. 2024;1;15(1):rmad049. https://doi.org/10.1093/jphsr/rmad049.
Hajleh MN, Ali AS, Aloosi Z, et al. Factors affecting purchasing behaviors of generic drugs versus originator counterparts in Jordan. JAPS. 2021;17;11(9):009-17. http://dx.doi.org/10.7324/JAPS.2021.110902.
Debas HT, Laxminarayan R, Straus SE. Complementary and alternative medicine. In: Disease control priorities in developing countries. 2nd ed. The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development / The World Bank, Washington (DC); 2006. PMID: 21250367.
Rashrash M, Schommer JC, Brown LM. Prevalence and predictors of herbal medicine use among adults in the United States. J Patient Exp. 2017;4(3):108-13. https://doi.org/10.1177/2374373517706612.
Al-Windi A. Predictors of herbal medicine use in a Swedish health practice. Pharmacoepidemiology and drug safety. 2004;13(7):489-96. https://doi.org/10.1002/pds.901.
Mosihuzzaman M. Herbal medicine in healthcare-an overview. Nat Prod Commun. 2012;7(6): https://doi.org/10.1177/1934578X1200700628.
Beebe S. Herbal medicine regulation. Adverse Events and Herb-Drug Interactions. IVM. 2023;30:79-84. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119823551.ch10.
Peters D, Youssef FF. Public trust in the healthcare system in a developing country. The HPM. 2016;31(2):227-41. https://doi.org/10.1002/hpm.2280.
Wazaify M, Elayeh E, Tubeileh R, et al. Assessing insomnia management in community pharmacy setting in Jordan: A simulated patient approach. PloS one. 2019;13;14(12):e0226076. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0226076.
Motti R, de Falco B. Traditional herbal remedies used for managing anxiety and insomnia in Italy: An ethnopharmacological overview. Horticulturae. 2021;25;7(12):523. https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae7120523.
Prieto-Pinto L, Garzón-Orjuela N, Lasalvia P, et al. International experience in therapeutic value and value-based pricing: a rapid review of the literature. ViHRI. 2020;1(23):37-48. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vhri.2019.11.008.
Shahrajabian MH, Sun W. Five important seeds in traditional medicine and pharmacological benefits. Seeds. 2023;14;2(3):290-308. https://doi.org/10.3390/seeds2030022.
Qneibi M, Bdir S, Maayeh C, et al. A comprehensive review of essential oils and their pharmacological activities in neurological disorders: Exploring neuroprotective potential. Neurochem Res. 2024;49(2):258-89. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11064-023-04032-5.
Gamberini MT, Rodrigues DS, Rodrigues D, et al. Effects of the aqueous extract of Pimpinella anisum L. seeds on exploratory activity and emotional behavior in rats using the open field and elevated plus maze tests. J Ethnopharmacol. 2015;20(168):45-49. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2015.03.053.
Dai YL, Li Y, Wang Q, et al. Chamomile: A review of its traditional uses, chemical constituents, pharmacological activities and quality control studies. Molecules. 2022;23;28(1):133. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28010133.
Mailänder LK, Lorenz P, Bitterling H, et al. Phytochemical characterization of chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.) roots and evaluation of their antioxidant and antibacterial potential. Molecules. 2022;27(23):8508. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27238508.
Ganzera M, Schneider P, Stuppner H. Inhibitory effects of the essential oil of chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.) and its major constituents on human cytochrome P450 enzymes. Life Sciences. 2006;18;78(8):856-61. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lfs.2005.05.095.
Alvarado-García PA, Soto-Vásquez MR, Rodrigo-Villanueva EM, et al. Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) essential oil and its potential against stress, anxiety and sleep quality. Pharmacognosy Journal. 2024;16(1). http://dx.doi.org/10.5530/pj.2024.16.14.
Stojanovi? NM, Mladenovi? MZ, Randjelovi? PJ, et al. The potential of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) essential oil as an anti-anxiety agent-is the citronellal the activity carrier? J Ethnopharmacol. 2023;5(314):116661. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2023.116661.
Dutta T, Anand U, Mitra SS, et al. Phytotherapy for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): A systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Pharmacol. 2022;3(13):827411. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2022.827411.
Awad R, Muhammad A, Durst T, et al. Bioassay-guided fractionation of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) using an in vitro measure of GABA transaminase activity. Phytotherapy Research: An International Journal Devoted to Pharmacological and Toxicological Evaluation of Natural Product Derivatives. 2009;23(8):1075-81. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.2712.
Pineau S, Legros C, Mattei C. The medical use of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) and valerian (Valeriana officinalis) as natural sedatives: insight into their interactions with GABA transmission. Int J Clin Pharmacol Pharmacother. 2016;1(112):2. https://doi.org/10.15344/2456-3501%2F2016%2F112.
B?czek KB, Kosakowska O, Boczkowska M, et al. Intraspecific variability of wild-growing common valerian (Valeriana officinalis L.). Plants (Basel). 2022;9;11(24):3455. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11243455.
Meer SD, Naidoo Y, Dewir YH, Akwu NA, Fuller MP. Foliar microstructure and histochemical analysis of the lavender tree (Heteropyxis natalensis Harv.). Micron. 2022;153:103184. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.micron.2021.103184.
Hausenblas HA, Saha D, Dubyak PJ, et al. Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) and major depressive disorder: a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. J Integr Med. 2013;11(6):377-83. https://doi.org/10.3736/jintegrmed2013056.
Alkhwaldi AF. Understanding the acceptance of business intelligence from healthcare professionals’ perspective: An empirical study of healthcare organizations. Int J Organ Anal. 2024. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOA-10-2023-4063.
Downloads
Published
Versions
- 04-12-2024 (2)
- 29-11-2024 (1)
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2024 Lidia K Al-Halaseh, Ali Al-Samydai, Bayan Al-Thunaibat, Safwan AlAdwan
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Copyright and Licence details of published articles
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
Open Access Policy
Plant Science Today is an open access journal. There is no registration required to read any article. All published articles are distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC Attribution 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).
