Herbal Medicine in Three Different Mediterranean Living Areas During the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Role of Polyphenolic-Rich Thyme-like Plants
Mohamad Khalil,
Hala Abdallah,
Maria Calasso,
Nour Khalil,
Ahmad Daher,
Jihen Missaoui,
Farah Diab,
Lama Zeaiter,
Laura Vergani,
Agostino Di Ciaula,
Piero Portincasa
Affiliations
Mohamad Khalil
Clinica Medica “A. Murri”, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area (DiMePre-J), University of Bari Medical School, 70124 Bari, Italy
Hala Abdallah
Clinica Medica “A. Murri”, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area (DiMePre-J), University of Bari Medical School, 70124 Bari, Italy
Maria Calasso
Department of Soil, Plant and Food Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via Amendola 165/a, 70126 Bari, Italy
Research Laboratory of BIORESSOURCES—Integrative Biology & Valorisation BIOLIVAL (LR14 ES06) at ISBM, Monastir 5000, Tunisia
Farah Diab
Department of Earth, Environment and Life Sciences (DISTAV), University of Genova, Corso Europa 26, 16132 Genova, Italy
Lama Zeaiter
Department of Earth, Environment and Life Sciences (DISTAV), University of Genova, Corso Europa 26, 16132 Genova, Italy
Laura Vergani
Department of Earth, Environment and Life Sciences (DISTAV), University of Genova, Corso Europa 26, 16132 Genova, Italy
Agostino Di Ciaula
Clinica Medica “A. Murri”, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area (DiMePre-J), University of Bari Medical School, 70124 Bari, Italy
Piero Portincasa
Clinica Medica “A. Murri”, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area (DiMePre-J), University of Bari Medical School, 70124 Bari, Italy
Despite herbal medicine being popular across the Mediterranean basin, there is no evidence in favor of COVID-19 infection. This study investigates the utilization and effects of medicinal plants in Italy, Lebanon, and Tunisia during COVID-19 and its effects on post-COVID-19 pandemics. We used a tailored, web-based “Google Form” questionnaire with the random sampling method. We gathered 812 complete responses (Italy: 116, Lebanon: 557, and Tunisia: 139), revealing diverse demographics and symptom experiences. Fatigue prevailed across all groups (89.0–94.2%), while psychological impacts ranged from 20.1% to 30.9%, with higher rates in Lebanon. Post-COVID-19 symptoms affected 22.4% (Italy), 48.8% (Lebanon), and 31.7% (Tunisia). General use of herbs was consistent (41.4–50.4%), with 23.3% (Italy), 50.2% (Lebanon), and 65.5% (Tunisia) employing herbs for COVID-19 therapy. Notably, in Lebanon, Za’atar, a thyme-like plant, correlated with reduced symptoms, suggesting potential protective effects that are likely due to its polyphenol richness. This study underscores the persistent reliance on traditional medicinal plants remedies in the Mediterranean area, with regional variations. Further exploration of herbal compounds for COVID-19-like symptoms is warranted.
