De Vries et al.

(2019) emphasized several key characteristics necessary for making

informed decisions about food supplements. These include possessing knowledge

about the positive and negative effects of supplements, the ability to compare these

effects, awareness of alternative options, feeling fully informed and self-efficacious in

decision-making, and making voluntary decisions. To enhance informed decision-

making regarding food supplements, it is essential to provide balanced and

contextualized information about their effects, including scientific evidence, addressing

misconceptions, and tailoring information to individuals' knowledge levels and personal

characteristics.

Similarly, Nissen et al. (2019) conducted a study in Saudi Arabia to assess the

prevalence of herbal medicine use and participants' knowledge of associated risks.

Their findings revealed a high prevalence of non-scientifically proven herbal medicine

use, coupled with a low level of awareness about associated risks among participants.

Despite limited studies in Saudi Arabia, the study achieved a high response rate,

highlighting the significant consumption of herbal products, often as a primary therapy,

driven by beliefs in their efficacy, affordability, and availability.

Furthermore, Eichhorn, Greten, and Efferth (2011) emphasized the critical role of

healthcare professionals in assessing patients' self-care abilities and providing guidance

on the use of nutritional supplements and herbal over-the-counter products. They

underscored the importance of databases for pharmacists containing information on

action, side effects, toxicities, and herb-drug interactions. Establishing guidelines for the

correct use of such products, known as phytovigilance, is imperative. Healthcare

professionals, including physicians and pharmacists, need to counsel patients and the
general public on the benefits and risks associated with herbal drugs. Additionally,

information centers for consumers and practitioners are necessary, along with robust

evidence demonstrating the safety and efficacy of herbal products through placebo-

controlled, double-blind, and randomized clinical trials.

References:

Hein de Vries, Emília M Pajor, Kenny C J Curfs, Sander M Eggers, Anke Oenema, How

to foster informed decision making about food supplements: results from an

international Delphi study, Health Education Research, Volume 34, Issue 4, August

2019, Pages 435–446, https://doi.org/10.1093/her/cyz017

Nissen, N., Ernst, E., Farrington, R., Alshammari, T. M., MacLennan, A. H., Wang, C.

C., Eisenberg, D. M., Calapai, G., Who, Tyler, V. E., Swerdlow, J., Aljofan, M., Jang, S.,

… Chong, Y. K. (2019, November 25). Prevalence of use and reported side effects of

herbal medicine among adults in Saudi Arabia. Complementary Therapies in Medicine.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0965229919310799

Eichhorn, T., Greten, H. J., & Efferth, T. (2011). Self-medication with nutritional

supplements and herbal over-thecounter products. Natural products and

bioprospecting, 1, 62-70.