Uso de plantas medicinais no tratamento de ansiedade no ambiente acadêmico

Abstract

Introduction: Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is characterized by vague unpleasant feelings and excessive worries, a psychological malaise, related to fear, apprehension and uncertainty, causing tension and / or anticipated discomfort from the unknown. Some medicinal plants are used for the treatment of GAD, such as Matricaria recutita, Valeriana officinalis, Passiflora incarnata and Piper methysticum. Objective: The aim of this study was to outline the prevalence of GAD symptoms, to evaluate demographic variables, knowledge and use of medicinal plants in the treatment of GAD in the academic context. Methodology: This is an observational study, carried out in courses in the area of ​​health at the Anhembi Morumbi University (UAM) in Sao Paulo-SP, Brazil. For this research, candidates enrolled in courses at the School of Health and Wellness, duly enrolled between the first and sixth year, aged 18 years or older, were considered eligible. Results: Only 13.3% of the participants did not consider themselves anxious, however, it was found that, even though the participant taking into account not being anxious, complained of some physical, psychological symptoms or both related to anxiety. The research identified that 31.6% of the participants reported that they had already used allopathic medicines and 31.1% reported the use of medicinal plants for the treatment of GAD.