Patterns and perceived efficacy of herbal medicine for weight loss and maintenance: A cross-sectional survey from Jordan

Introduction: Overweight and obesity are on the rise worldwide, including Jordan. Simultaneously the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is also increasing. The aim of this study is to investigate the patterns and efficacy of CAM used for the purpose of weight reduction and/or maintenance in a sample of Jordanians, with emphasis on herbal medicine. Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey that used a purposive convenience sample from Amman, Jordan between 2015 and 2017. A total of 462 individuals who reported using CAM and herbal medicine were recruited from nutrition and fitness centres, malls and universities. A self-administered questionnaire was completed by participants after obtaining their consent. Results: During the last 3 months, 379 (82 %) of participants had used herbs for weight management, while 279 (60.40 %) were still using them at the time of the study. Green tea leaves and lemon juice were most frequently used among participants (57.4 and 39.2 %; respectively). However, fennel users reported that it was the most effective for weight reduction and was used by (n = 24; 5.19 %) of participants of whom 87.50 % said it worked. Of those using cumin (n = 34; 7.4 %), 87.0 % believed it worked. Interestingly, all users of rosemary had reported dizziness as a side effect when used once daily and 1–2 years usage duration. Plants were used in the form of herbal teas, and were obtained from home (n = 161, 34.85 %), herbalists (n = 146; 31.60 %) and specialized centers (n = 120; 25.97 %). Conclusions: The study provides, for the first time, an insight about the diverse range of remedies used to manage weight in Jordanian society, and how these therapies are utilized in relation to allopathic care. Health care practitioners can use these findings to enhance their communication with patients regarding weight management.