Traditional Herbal Utilization for Elderly Health Promotion in Suthep Municipality Muangchiangmai District, Chiangmai Province

Abstract

Traditional herbalutilization is an integral concept for promoting the enhancementofelderly health with holistic health care. The objective of this study was to investigate the utilization of traditional herbs for health promotion inthe elderly. Samples were 265 elderly households and 12 in the area of Suthep sub-district Municipality Muang Chiangmai District, Chiangmai Province. Data were collected by using questionnaires, informal interview, and focus group. Data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics and content analysis. The results from 265 households indicated the utilization of traditional herbs was at a moderate level with mean score of 1.87± 0.69 from and overall score of 3. The elderly use traditional herbs as cooking ingredients, revenue addition and planting in residential areas. The most common herbal use was decoction.However, the participants suggested theestablishment of all stakeholders participation and the initiation ofacommunity learning center for the Lanna Folk wisdom in traditional herbs.

Keywords

• traditional herbs
• health promotion
• elderly
• utilization