Table 5 Herbs used; respondents reported purposes and adverse effects (n=199)*

Kariyat (Andrographis paniculata)

23 (11.6)

Common cold, fever, sore throat, diabetes

Increased SCr

Turmeric (Curcuma longa)

19 (9.5)

Gastrointestinal symptoms**, constipation, CKD

-

Horseradish tree (Moringa oleifera)

16 (8.0)

Diabetes, hypertension, constipation

Unable to stop bleeding

Mixed botanical extract or fruit drink

12 (6.0)

CKD, diabetes, well-being

-

Ginseng (Panax spp.)

7 (3.5)

Well-being

-

Holy mushroom (Garnoderma lucidum)

5 (2.5)

CKD

Oedema

River spiderwort (Tradescantia fluminensis)

4 (2.0)

CKD

Increased SCr, fatigue

Babbler’s Bill Leaf (Thunbergia laurifolia)

3 (1.5)

Detoxification, diabetes

-

Senna (Senna alexandrina)

3 (1.5)

Constipation

-

Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba)

3 (1.5)

Improved brain function

-

Boesenbergia (Boesenbergia rotunda)

3 (1.5)

CKD

-

Garlic

3 (1.5)

Dyslipidemia

-

Mixed Thai traditional herbs called “Ya Hom”

3 (1.5)

Well-being, fainting, dizziness

-

Heart-leaved moonseed (Tinospora cripa)

3 (1.5)

Diabetes,well-being

-

Coix seed (Semen Coicis)

3 (1.5)

CKD, well-being, diabetes

-

Vap Ca (Houttuynia cordata)

2 (1.0)

Kidney stones, CKD

-

Aloe (Aloe vera)

2 (1.0)

Diuretic effects, well-being

-

Blue Pea (Clitoria ternatea)

2 (1.0)

CKD

-

Mixed 3 or 6 types of mushrooms

2 (1.0)

CKD

-

Shiitake mushroom (Lentinus edodes)

2 (1.0)

CKD, well-being

-

Cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum)

2 (1.0)

Diabetes

-

Mixed Thai traditional herbs called “Ya Khom”

2 (1.0)

Fever

-

Mixed Thai traditional herbs called “Ka Sai”

2 (1.0)

Constipation, well-being

-

Jujube (Zizyphus mauritiana) and Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa)

2 (1.0)

CKD, dyslipidemia

-

Spirulina

2 (1.0)

Detoxification, diabetes

-

Lemongrass

1 (0.5)

Dyslipidemia and CKD

-

Boesenbergia, sweet basil, honey and lime juice

1 (0.5)

CKD

Fainting

Boesenbergia, mint, ginger, galangal, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves and shallots

1 (0.5)

CKD

-

Spring bitter cucumber (Momordica cochinchinensis)

1 (0.5)

CKD

-

Lime

1 (0.5)

Kidney stones

-

Chinese folk remedy - Cordyceps, Lovage (Angelica sinensis), deer antler velvet, cinnamon and Schisandra berry (Schisandra chinensis)

1 (0.5)

CKD

-

Paragrass roots (Brachiaria mutica) and pomegranate leaves (Punica granatum)

1 (0.5)

CKD

-

Leaves of Clerodendrum petasites

1 (0.5)

CKD

-

Java tea

1 (0.5)

Diuretic effects

-