Herbal Medicines Are Hot in Germany
by Peter Barry Chowka From Natural Healthline |
These findings are contained in a study commissioned by BAH (Bundesfachverband der Arzneimittelhersteller), the German association of OTC manufacturers. Since 1970, the Allensbach Institute, which conducted the survey, has been tracking attitudes to herbal medicines through regular public opinion polls.
Between 1970 and the latest poll, taken in January 1997, the percentage of interviewees who consume herbal medications rose from 52 per cent to 65 per cent. This trend is associated with more self-medication. According to the study, between 1978 and today, the proportion of people who expressed the opinion "it is not necessary to see a doctor for minor ailments" increased from 44 per cent to 58 per cent.
In all, 2,647 people ages 16 and older were interviewed for the latest survey. The term "herbal medicines" included natural remedies and phytopharmaceuticals as well as homeopathic and anthroposophic medicines.
According to the poll results, 65 per cent of German consumers use herbal medicines for minor illnesses compared with 52 per cent in 1970. Twenty-two per cent had been prescribed herbal medicines by a doctor while 21 per cent said their products had either been prescribed or bought over the counter. The main reason given for preferring phythotherapies to conventional drugs was the expectation of fewer side-effects.
Most of the people questioned (95 per cent) said herbal medicines had proved effective. Only three per cent said natural remedies had "not worked at all."
Acupuncture.com |