SUMMARY
AIM: In fact, herbs can be particularly safe and effective for children because herbs tend to be so much gentler than pharmaceutical
alternatives. The present study aims to assess the therapeutic use and the prevalence of herbal remedy in Taif children, Saudi Arabia.
METHODS: Cross-sectional, qualitative survey and a questionnaire of 15 close-ended questions written carefully and directly were used for
this study. 300 parents completed the questionnaire who attended the general pediatric outpatient clinics of 3 central hospitals in Taif. Data
were collected daily from 8 am to 4 pm for 2 months period from 15 October to 15 December 2012.
RESULTS: The present study revealed a reasonable proportion of the respondents used herbs for their children. About 58.0% of parents used
herbs for their children for the past four months earlier and about (70.3%) used herbs for their children in the past. The most commonly used
herbs were; anise (24.7%) and fenugreek (14.7%).
CONCLUSIONS: Herbal remedy is used in mid-range in Taif during childhood. To achieve high therapeutic safety, it is important to ask
parents explicitly about such use and using natural medicines under the supervision of a qualified practitioner.