The Perception of Herbal Concumption: A Phenomenology Study Among Patients With Hypertension

Abstract

Introduction: The treatment of hypertension requires different drug therapy depending on the level and stage of the disease. Regular complementary therapies as an alternative therapy such as herbal medicine to control the hypertension should be under-concerned. The purpose of this study was to explore the perception of herbal consumption in patients with hypertension. Methods: Qualitative research design with a phenomenological approach. This study involved of 10 hypertensive patients who consumed herbal medicine with a purposive sampling technique. The data collection technique used semi-structured interviews and audio recording. The data were analyzed by using the Colaizzi approach and NVivo 12 software. Results: There were 3 themes and 9 sub-themes in this study. Themes that emerged include: 1) perception of herbal medicine consumption, 2) health behavior, 3) herbal  consumption behavior. Conclusion: Participants' perceptions about consuming herbal medicine were influenced by experience, level of education, beliefs, habits, and attitudes. In addition, manage a low salt and low-fat diet and consuming herbal are a strategy to reduce their blood pressure. Herbal medicine could be one of the hypertension treatment beside anti-hypertension drugs, Nureses and other health care should be considered.