Prevalence of Using Aromatic and Medicinal Plants in the Treatment of Gastrointestinal Tract Diseases in Al-Taif City, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Background: In recent years, there has been growing interest in the use of herbal drugs to treat Gastrointestinal Tract Diseases (GIT) diseases which widely spread in Saudi Arabia due to their efficacy and minimal side effect. Therefore, it is reasonable and timely to assess the validity of phytotherapeutics products as an adjuvant treatment for GIT problems.

Objectives: The current study aims to estimate the frequency of using aromatic and medicinal plants and identify the commonly used plants in the treatment of some GIT diseases in Al-Taif city, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia(KSA).

Methods: A cross-sectional study carried out among 655 citizens and residents of people who live in Al-Taif city from different age groups and educational levels. The data will be collected using the self-questionnaire paper and analyzed using SPSS software.

Results: The study included 655 participants, (48.7%) of them aged from 20-29, (54.6%) were female and (92.8%) were Saudi. Most of the participants (74.6%) used aromatic and medicinal plants. Plants were effective in treating gastrointestinal diseases (97.3%) of the participants by consulting their friends and family or through social media. Diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, nausea, abdominal bloating and irritable bowel syndrome were the most common gastrointestinal diseases among the population of Al-Taif city. Cinnamon, fennel, senna, and turmeric were the most used plants and had positive results in treatment and minor side effects.

Conclusion: This study showed that the use of aromatic and medicinal plants in the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases is widespread in Al-Taif city and had a positive effect on the treatment of GIT diseases. The source of information is gained from friends, kindred and social media. Therefore, the media should have a great role in the interest and dissemination of correct and accurate information about medicinal plants.