The Commonly Utilized Natural Products during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Online Survey

Abstract

Objectives: The utilization rate of herbal and dietary supplements among the Saudi population is reported to be high. However, the utilization rate and types of herbal and dietary supplements during the COVID-19 pandemic are largely unknown. Methods: This was an online questionnaire-based cross-sectional study that used convenience sampling and social media platforms (Telegram®, Twitter®, and WhatsApp®) to disseminate a 12-item questionnaire across the Saudi general public aged 18 years and above. The questionnaire inquired about the sociodemographic characteristics (e.g., age, gender, education, geographical location), presence of chronic health conditions and the use of prescription medications, awareness of the viral nature of COVID-19 infection and its common symptoms, and the commonly utilized herbal and/or dietary supplements. Results: Sixty-four percent of the 1473 participants reported using herbal and/or dietary supplements for the purpose of boosting their immune system to prevent COVID-19 infection. In addition, 88.2% of the respondents were misinformed about the manifestation of COVID-19 symptoms. Most of the participants were Saudi (91.9%), aged 49 years and younger (83%), female (52%), and healthy (81%). Honey (46%), lemon (45%), ginger (36%), vitamin C (32%), black seed (26%), garlic (26%), and turmeric (19%) were the most commonly used herbal and/or dietary supplements by the participants. Saudi nationals (OR = 1.67, 95% CI: 1.08 to 2.6, p = 0.02), older adults (OR = 1.30, 95% CI:1.10 to 1.55, p = 0.002), and those taking prescription medications had higher odds of using dietary and/or herbal supplements (OR = 3.31, 95% CI: 2.61 to 4.18, p < 0.0001). Conclusion: The utilization rate of herbal and dietary supplements among the Saudi public during the COVID-19 pandemic is high. Future studies should examine the impact of different public awareness campaigns aimed at improving the public knowledge of the risk and benefits associated with the use of different commonly utilized herbal and dietary products identified in this study.

Medications and natural products used in Jordan for prevention or treatment of COVID-19 infection during the second wave of the pandemic: A cross-sectional online survey

“…Ginger and honey were also used by more than 50% of participants in a similar study conducted in Bangladesh ( Ahmed et al, 2020 ). Honey, lemon, and ginger were amongst the most used natural products in Saudi Arabia as a protective measure during the COVID-19 pandemic ( Abdullah Alotiby and Naif Al-Harbi 2021 , AlNajrany et al, 2021 ). In Vietnam, ginger, honey and garlic were the most commonly used for the treatment of sore throat, cough, nasal congestion, and fever ( Nguyen et al, 2021 ).…”

“…Herbs and natural products were reported to be used mainly for sore throat, cough, nasal congestion, and fever in a cross-sectional study conducted in Vietnam, but the participants’ perception regarding symptoms improvement was not reported ( Nguyen et al, 2021 ). In other surveys, it was documented that herbs and natural products were used to boost immunity without mentioning specific symptoms ( Ahmedet al, 2020 , Charanet al, 2020 , Abdullah Alotiby and Naif Al-Harbi 2021 , AlNajranyet al, 2021 , Srikanthet al, 2021 ).…”

“…After analyzing validated surveys in the literature, the study survey was developed and designed with the use of the general concepts of good survey design ( Ahmedet al, 2020 , Charanet al, 2020 , Abdullah Alotiby and Naif Al-Harbi 2021 , AlNajranyet al, 2021 , Quispe-Canariet al, 2021 , Srikanth et al, 2021 ). Several sources were consulted to compile a list of questions that were thought to be related to the study objectives.…”

“…Common reasons for the use of natural products were chronic disease treatment, weight loss, or improving well-being (41.9%, 23.6%, and 16.2%, respectively) ( Abdel-Qader et al, 2020 , Thiab et al, 2021 ). Prevalence and patterns of use of natural products during COVID-19 has been an area of interest, for which multiple surveys have been conducted ( Ahmedet al, 2020 , AlNajranyet al, 2021 , Nguyenet al, 2021 , Srikanth et al, 2021 ).…”

Produtos naturais e os riscos à mucosa oral e face: um protocolo de revisão de escopo

“…Com o surto da COVID-19 no mundo e a busca pela proteção e cura contra a doença, observou-se um aumento no uso de alguns produtos naturais, como por exemplo o extrato de própolis e o mel (Silva et al, 2020). Além disso, outros alimentos nutracênicos, tais como gengibre e alho, cujas propriedades já foram relatadas na literatura, têm sido consumidos com a finalidade de melhorar a imunidade, como forma preventiva ao novo coronavírus (Alnajrany et al, 2021;Baatsch et al, 2017;Falzon & Balabanova, 2017;Silva et al, 2020), prática amplamente observada em virtude do medo de contágio pela população (Kutti-sridharan et al, 2020;Nsoesie et al, 2020;Shreffler et al, 2020;Thota et al, 2020). Pesquisas recentes apontam os produtos naturais como bloqueadores do receptor ACE2 como forma de inibir a entrada do Sars-CoV-2 na célula humana hospedeira.…”