Herbal remedy use among Hispanic women with diabetes in the southwestern United States

Type II Diabetes is an enormous and increasing epidemic among minority populations in the Southwest. Understanding patterns of self-care among minority populations is a critical aspect of designing effective prevention, treatment and education strategies. Use of traditional herbal remedies has been shown to be of significance in minority self-care patterns, but there have been few studies of specific remedies used, and very little consideration of the potential efficacy and dangers of herbal remedies. Open-ended structured interviews were conducted with 23 Hispanic women with diabetes receiving health care through two local Community Health Center regarding their herbal remedy use. Chart reviews were conducted to determine differences in treatment efficacy between those patients interviewed and a random sample of Hispanic women with diabetes in the Community Health Center population.

Seventy seven different herbal remedies were documented, and the scientific literature was reviewed as to the potential efficacy and danger of these remedies. Recommendations regarding strategies for eliciting self-care information are offered.