Millions of people are choosing to use herbs. Sound health policy and
nursing practice are both grounded in understanding individual factors affecting health
care use and their contribution to overall healthcare (Andersen & Newman, 2005;
Cloutterbuck & Cherry, 1998). Our knowledge of factors associated with herb use is
limited, particularly the extent to which herbs are used in conjunction with conventional
health care other than drugs, and with other CAM modalities. Our knowledge of the
health conditions individuals treat with herbs compared to conditions they report as
having is limited, as is the influence of either on herb use. Finally, our knowledge of the
benefit of herbal use as perceived by the consumer is limited, as are the factors
contributing to perceived benefit. This knowledge is important to inform health
professional practice; and to inform future efficacy research and cost-effectiveness
research on the use of herbs for promoting health or addressing health problems.