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Relationships between primary care patients' herbal use and influencing factors were examined. Most felt that herbals were safer than prescription medications and preferred their use. There were significant relationships between perceived herbal safety and efficacy and other motivational factors with use. Supplement cost and demographics were less predictive of use.

This cross-sectional study was performed to determine the consumption rate, duration, and methods of herb or vitamin/mineral use by patients with cancer and to evaluate the effects of alternative therapies in Kayseri, Turkey. A face-to-face interviews was conducted with 203 patients. Results showed that 32% and 18.2% of the patients used herbs or vitamin/mineral supplements, respectively. Nettle was the most commonly used herb, and iron and vitamin C were the most commonly used supplements. There was a significant difference between herb or vitamin/mineral users and nonusers with regard to educational levels. In conclusion, patients with cancer highly tended to use herb or vitamin/mineral supplements.