Herbal supplement use among US women, 2000.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the prevalence of herbal supplement use and its association with sociodemographic, health status, and health behavior characteristics in a nationally representative sample of US women.

METHODS

We analyzed the cancer supplement file of the 2000 National Health Interview Survey, which included 11,888 non-Hispanic white, 2866 non-Hispanic black, 3035 Hispanic, and 599 non-Hispanic other women. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to examine the relationship between sociodemographic, health status, and health behavior characteristics and the use of: 1) any herbal supplement; 2) Echinacea, Ginkgo biloba, ginseng, or St. John's wort; and 3) at least 3 herbal supplements concurrently.

RESULTS

Nearly one-sixth of US women took at least 1 herbal supplement in 2000. Logistic regression showed that women who were non-Hispanic white, aged 35 to 64 years, more educated, not poor, current alcohol users, residents of the South and West, and who had functional limitations and chronic conditions were significantly more likely to take the most commonly reported herbal supplements.

CONCLUSION

Our study suggests high levels of herbal supplement use among US women. Supplement use is generally associated with higher education, higher income, residence in the South and West, and health needs. The growing practice of herbal supplement use suggests a need for public health guidance on the safe and efficacious use of these products.