COVID-19 and herbal practice: A United Kingdom practitioner survey

OBJECTIVES: To identify the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on UK herbal medicine practice and how herbal medicine practitioners are supporting people with COVID-19. DESIGN: Mixed-methods e-survey. METHODS: The survey link was distributed through professional associations and social media. Quantitative data were descriptively summarised and qualitative data were analysed using content analysis. RESULTS: Results from 59 responses indicated a profound effect of the pandemic on herbal medicine practice, with a move to remote working and a reduction in client numbers. Practitioners reported prescribing a wide range of medicinal plants, chiefly Glycyrrhiza glabra L. and Echinacea spp. alongside providing information and advice. Few reported inter-professional collaboration. CONCLUSIONS: Herbal practitioners need to build on current collaborations, research and experience to develop consistent approaches to support people with mild-moderate COVID-19 symptoms. More systematic exploration of herbal medicine practice during and as a consequence of the pandemic is needed. WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THE TOPIC: • The COVID-19 pandemic has had a large impact on all types of healthcare • The impact on herbal medicine practice is unclear WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: • The COVID-19 pandemic has substantially affected UK herbal medicine practice • A wide range of medicinal plants are currently used by herbal practitioners to support people with COVID-19 • Herbal practitioners need to develop consistent holistic approaches to support people with mild-moderate symptoms of COVID-19