Cross-sectional study: Use of natural products for health-associated conditions in Pakistan.

Abstract

Natural products have been widely utilized as a therapy regimen to cure and treat a range of diseases and ailments caused by bacteria, fungus, insects or by any other means. The natural products have different phytoconstituents present in their core molecule which produces their particular effects in several diseases. The immune system protects the body from infectious agents such as bacteria, viruses, or fungi. Thus, well-balanced immunity is pivotal for maintaining human health, as an insufficient level of immune defense leads to the development of several infections and health disorders. In contrast, the respiratory diseases caused due to cold weather, climate change might develop hindrance in breathing, bacterias and viruses are the common cause of pulmonary diseases. Respiratory tract infections have a high incidence in the general population and along with conventional medicines, natural products can also be used for their treatment. Bone related disorders are mainly due to the deterioration of bone cells, a decrease in bone density. Downregulation of bone mineral density are common in many bone diseases, therefore, the health of bone, muscle and joint is of primary importance. Diabetes mellitus is a long-term metabolic disease typified by elevated blood glucose levels throughout both fed and fasting states. The use of natural remedies decreases the blood glucose level and phytoconstituents present in them emphasis the treatment. The aim of the present special issue, entitled ‘Natural Products and Skin Diseases’ is to characterize new approaches in the treatment of skin disorders by collecting together papers that focus on such topics as skin penetration and photoaging, wound healing, oxidative stress, melanogenesis. A “gastrointestinal disease” is any medical condition that affects the gastrointestinal and is impacted by food-related problems. Both functional and structural gastrointestinal (GI) problems have the potential to seriously impact living quality but natural products have the tendency to treat them. The most common ailment that affects people worldwide is pain. Many natural products have long been utilized, and their modes of action are now known. The study comprises numerous questions to evaluate the use of these biological compounds among Pakistani population. Respondents from several age groups are the part of this study. This study gives a thorough understanding of commonly used herbal or organic products. The data of these results provide an initial overview on the use of home remedies from the patient’s perspective in a Pakistan context. Bearing in mind the high use of home remedies that was reported by patients in the study, it is highly likely that young population in Pakistani need to advise patients on their use of home remedies during consultations. To this end, given the scarcity of reliable information on home remedies, further research is needed