Use of Natural Products for Complementary Health Approaches among Psychiatric Outpatients in Japan

Norito Kawakami,Yuki Miyamoto,Mai Iwanaga

doi:10.15226/2374-6874/5/1/00145

Abstract

Use of Natural Products for Complementary Health Approaches among Psychiatric Outpatients in Japan

Highlights

Kampo was found to be common among psychiatric outpatients in
Complementary health approaches are non-mainstream practices and used by consumers together with conventional medicine distinguished from integrative health, which is a coordinated approach to the use of both non-mainstream and conventional practice together[1] such as Kampo (Japanese herbal medicine) which can be prescribed by doctors
Statistical analysis was conducted for 189 respondents after excluding data from respondents who were not prescribed any medications (N=5)

Summary

Introduction

Complementary health approaches are non-mainstream practices and used by consumers together with conventional medicine distinguished from integrative health, which is a coordinated approach to the use of both non-mainstream and conventional practice together[1] such as Kampo (Japanese herbal medicine) which can be prescribed by doctors. In Japan, non-prescribed natural products are commonly known as supplements/health foods, herbs such as tea and essential oils, and over-the-counter Kampo (Japanese herbal medicine) [2,3,4,5]. These natural derived products seem to be safe; natural products can have several risks [6,7,8] such as a drug interaction with prescribed medications [6] and indirect health hazards that arise from not taking steps to receive appropriate and timely conventional medical care [7]. Most patients do not disclose such use to their medical practitioners[9]

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion