Use of Herbal Tea/Herbal Preparations for Children with Symptoms of Viral Upper Respiratory Infections

INTRODUCTION: Respiratory tract infections are common in children. To treat the symptoms of simple health problems, individuals look for natural healing methods that they can be easily prepared at home. The aim of this study is to determine the plants and herbal products used by the parents of children suffering from viral upper respiratory tract symptoms by using questionair. In the study, applications and products, other than plants used by families for their children were also investigated.
METHODS: This study is a cross-sectional survey conducted at Gazi University Faculty of Medicine. A questionnaire form was used by scanning the existing literature and reviewed with the patients face to face by the researchers. The data obtained from the study were analyzed with the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) statistical program.
RESULTS: About half of the participants reported that they used nonchemical drug practices for their children with upper respiratory tract infections. The most common practice was to prepare herbal tea (30,5 %), followed by mandarin/orange and/or their juice (26,9%) for oral application. The most used herbal tea for upper respiratory tract infections was made out of linden (Tilia sp.). Individuals who use linden usually prepared it as tea in other words by infusion and served their children 1-2 cups/1-3 times a week. Except for herbal tea, the participants mostly used honey (19.0%) for their children's symptoms.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Where available appropriate doses and dosage forms of herbal supplement products with scientifically proven efficacy and safety should be determined for the pediatric population. Parents should use these products based on recommendations of their pediatrician