Herbal Treatment Usage Frequency, Types, and Preferences in Tikrit City, Iraq

A cross-sectional study involving 1,268 participants aged 20-50 years in Tikrit city, Iraq, conducted from January 1, 2011, to December 31, 2011, found that 75.9% (962 individuals) had used herbal medication at least once. The study, which utilized questionnaires distributed to individuals who had received preliminary information, revealed that the primary health issues addressed with herbal treatments were hair loss and hair care, hemorrhoids, skin care, peptic ulcers, gastritis, and infertility. The predominant reason for turning to herbal remedies was the hope of finding an effective treatment for their conditions. The study highlights a high rate of alternative medicine usage in Tikrit, suggesting a need for regular studies to monitor trends over time.