Usage of fresh medicinal plants and users′perceptions in Singapore

OBJECTIVE To gather information regarding the usage of fresh medicinal plants and users′perceptions via face-to-face interviews.To date,there is no published report of firsthand account of their usage in Singapore.Such important information may be permanently lost if not properly collated in time.METHODS Information on demographic data,plant-use methods and perception of usage was collated.Participants were recruited via the local newspapers,by word of mouth etc.The survey protocol was approved by the NUS Institutional Review Board.Fresh plant samples/photographs were obtained from the users and voucher specimens were kept.RESULTS Two hundredusers who have used a total of 103 species of fresh medicinal plants anytime in the last 5years participated in the survey.The five most commonly used plants were Clinacanthusnutans(34 users),Strobilanthescrispus(31 users),Pereskiableo(25 users),Aloe vera(18 users),and Zingiberofficinale(16 users).The top 3 most commonly cited medical conditions were diseases of respiratory system(50 users),neoplasm(29 users)anddiseases of circulatory system(20 users).A total of 173 users(86.5%)did not consult any healthcare professional for advice about plant usage,and only one user consulted the pharmacist.Some of the common reasons given for using fresh medicinal plants were recommendation by others(150,75.0%),efficacy(137,68.5%),and safety(117,58.5%).Most users(170,85.0%)were satisfied or highly satisfied with the outcome of plants used.CONCLUSION Two hundred users of fresh medicinal plants have been successfully interviewed and the information documented systematically in a database.The results suggest that fresh medicinal plants have a role to play in healthcare in modern society.The information collated will serve as a useful resource for identifying promising plants for future drug discovery efforts.

Usage of complementary and alternative medicine in older adults: prevalence, subtypes and associated factors;a cross-sectional observation

Background:The usage of complementary and alternative medicine(CAM)is common in many healthcare settings worldwide.However,the factors associated with CAM usage in older adults and its relation with mood and cognitive function is under-studied.We used a cross-sectional study to explore the 12-month prevalence of usage of CAM among older adults in Singapore and its associated factors including mental health status.Methods:Using a door-to-door census and questionnaire survey,community dwellers aged 60 or above were voluntarily recruited in the Singapore Longitudinal Aging Study.Demographic information,usage of CAM in past 12 months,life-style,cognitive and depressive status using Mini-Mental Status Examination and Geriatric Depression Scale were collated from each participant.Results:Out of 4985 participants,2692(54%)used some types of CAM.The most common type of CAM was herbal medicine,followed by Qigong and Acupuncture.The usage of CAM was higher in Chinese females and those with higher educational levels.Having a history of chronic diseases was associated with higher prevalence of CAM use.Usage of CAM was also correlated with higher physical and social activities.No correlation was observed between cognitive or depressive status and the use of CAM.Conclusion:These results show a high prevalence of CAM usage among older adults in Singapore,which should be considered by medical practitioners treating this age group.Additionally,despite higher prevalence of suffering from multiple chronic diseases,the lack of association of CAM usage with poorer performance in mood and cognitive assessments suggests a protective role against depression and cognitive decline for CAM practices.