Phytopharmaceuticals in the treatment of diseases in the adult population

Introduction: Medicinal plants are a source of ancient wisdom. Their use throughout the centuries and the different stages of human history has allowed them to become a method that nourishes and enriches the possibilities of natural and traditional medicine. Objective: To characterize the use of phytopharmaceuticals in the population of Clinic 72 in Entronque de Herradura in Consolación del Sur between January 2021 and June 2023. Method: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted. The universe consisted of 675 patients and the sample consisted of 135. Percentages were used as the unit of measurement. Results: The predominant age group among these patients was those over 65 years of age (18.52%), female (59.21%), most were aware of the existence of phytopharmaceuticals (65.8%) and used them (74.81%), and this use was always frequent (49.63%). Chronic gastritis was the disease for which phytopharmaceuticals were most commonly used (25.19%), and therefore the most frequently used was aloe vera (40.74%). The majority believed that this type of treatment is effective (69.63%). Conclusions: Increase the use of alternative treatments in our environment and encourage primary care physicians to learn about natural and traditional medicine techniques and treatments in order to achieve greater use of them.