Herbal Use and Perceptions among Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Kuwait

Herbal medicine has become a popular treatment among patients with chronic diseases worldwide. Many patients with diabetes mellitus use herbal medicine without consulting their health professionals. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence, pattern of use, and perceptions in type 2 diabetes patients using herbal medicine. It was conducted between 1st January 2019 and end of June 2019 diabetes clinic in Farwaniya Hospital in Kuwait. In this cross sectional quantitative study, 350 patients were asked to complete questionnaire administered by nurses. The study found that 30.6% of sample used herbal medicine—women more than men. Black cumin (habba soda) i.e. Nigella sativa was the most common herb used by diabetic patients. The study revealed that 70% of herbal medicine users had poor glycemic control (HbA1c ≥ 7%). Diabetic complications were greater in herbal users than in those receiving conventional therapy. The study also showed that 95.3% of herbal medicine users did not inform their treating doctors. Our conclusion was that herbal medicine users needed to increase their awareness and education about the risks and complications of herbal medicine.