Use of medicinal plants during COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil

Medicinal plants are an integrative and complementary health practice widely used by the population. However, its use is not without risks. This study assessed the profile and associated factors with the traditional use of medicinal plants. To this end, a cross-sectional survey study was conducted in a southeastern Brazilian city. Descriptive analysis was performed by frequency distribution and median and interquartile range. Associated factors with the use of medicinal plants were analyzed using Poisson regression with robust variance. A total of 641 people were interviewed, of whom 258 (40.2%) reported using medicinal plants. A total of 79 distinct plants were identified, of whom Melissa officinalis (31.0%), Peumus boldus (24.4%), Mentha spicata (20.9%), Matricaria recutita L. (18.2%), Rosmarinus officinalis (17.0%), and Foeniculum vulgare (14.7%) were the most used. There were no reports of medicinal plants used to treat COVID-19. However, anxiety was the most frequently cited indication for using medicinal plants, a health condition exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, the use of medicinal plants for treating respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms similar to those in COVID-19 has been identified. There was an association between the use of medicinal plants and females, non-white, lower schooling, higher income, and comorbidities.

Automated summary

This study investigated the use of medicinal plants and associated factors in a city in southeastern Brazil. The results showed that 40.2% of the surveyed population had used medicinal plants, with a variety of plants being commonly used. However, there were no reports of using medicinal plants to treat COVID-19. Anxiety was the most frequent indication for using medicinal plants, and the use of medicinal plants to treat respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms similar to those in COVID-19 was identified. Factors associated with the use of medicinal plants included gender, race, education level, income, and comorbidities.