Applications of dietary supplements and aromatherapy for prophylactic and treatment purposes during COVID-19 pandemic

INTRODUCTION: The lack of a specific proven treatment for COVID-19 has led individuals to use different treatment options. Although their effects on COVID-19 have not been proven, interest in dietary supplements and aromatherapy has increased during the pandemic period. In this study, usage of dietary supplement and aromatherapy were investigated for COVID-19 among individuals living within the borders of Turkey.
METHODS: This cross-sectional survey study was conducted among 310 indivuduals. The questionnaire was prepared using online Google Forms and communicated to the participants via social media platforms. The data obtained from the study were analyzed with the statistical program.
RESULTS: The analyzes of the survey revealed that participants increased the usage of supplements mostly prophylactic and also for treatment purposes during COVID-19 pandemic, 31.9% individuals declared that they consume herbal tea / product, 38.1% of them use vitamin/mineral supplement (multivitamin‐mineral, vitamins B1,B6,B12,C,D, calcium, coenzymeQ10, iron, magnesium, selenium, zinc) and 18.4% of the indivuduals applied aromatherapy (treatment with essential oils). As a result of the study, the most commonly used supplement was vitamin D, the most commonly consumed tea was green tea and the essential oil was thyme oil, additionally, the most eaten vegetable was garlic. Moreover, other frequently used herbal products were containing ginger, onion as food, peppermint and eucalyptus oils as aromatherapeutics. Participants often reported that they find safe for using the elevated level of herbs or herbal products against COVID-19.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Among the individuals participating in this study, it has been observed that the use of dietary supplements has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic period. The study revealed that vitamin D is prominent in self-medication use. Moreover, interest in aromatherapy has increased as well as dietary supplements. Among aromatherapeutics thyme stood out over the applied essential oils.