1. Herbal Medicine: Science and Non-Science Students’ Perspective Ethan Shirley, Brittany Salman, Kara Heller, & Melba Horton University of North Georgia, Cumming Campus

2. Abstract Herbal medicine uses plants and plant extracts for healing purposes and improvements in well-being (Vickers & Zollman, 1999). This study aims to know whether students at the University of North Georgia, Cumming campus, enrolled in a science course have a different perspective on herbal medicine from those enrolled in a non-science course. The null hypothesis is that there is no significant difference between the college students’ perspective on the use of herbal medicine whether they are enrolled in a science or non-science courses. A survey was conducted separately on 25 college students enrolled in science and non-science classes at UNG, Cumming campus. Data was analyzed and the difference in the responses was determined statistically using T-test. The results indicated that whether students are enrolled in science or non-science classes, they generally do not have any significant difference in their perspective on the use of herbal and non-herbal medicines. This supports the formulated null hypothesis. This implies that whether somebody has more science background or not, their perspective toward herbal medicine is the same. The interesting part was that there were a lot of students who generally have no idea about the difference between herbal and non-herbal medicines except those enrolled within the science class who seemed to know the difference more than those within the non-science course. It is recommended that more information dissemination on different forms of medicine available for all individuals may it be standard or alternative needs to be conducted. Abstract Herbal medicine uses plants and plant extracts for healing purposes and improvements in well-being (Vickers & Zollman, 1999). This study aims to know whether students at the University of North Georgia, Cumming campus, enrolled in a science course have a different perspective on herbal medicine from those enrolled in a non-science course. The null hypothesis is that there is no significant difference between the college students’ perspective on the use of herbal medicine whether they are enrolled in a science or non-science courses. A survey was conducted separately on 25 college students enrolled in science and non-science classes at UNG, Cumming campus. Data was analyzed and the difference in the responses was determined statistically using T-test. The results indicated that whether students are enrolled in science or non-science classes, they generally do not have any significant difference in their perspective on the use of herbal and non-herbal medicines. This supports the formulated null hypothesis. This implies that whether somebody has more science background or not, their perspective toward herbal medicine is the same. The interesting part was that there were a lot of students who generally have no idea about the difference between herbal and non-herbal medicines except those enrolled within the science class who seemed to know the difference more than those within the non-science course. It is recommended that more information dissemination on different forms of medicine available for all individuals may it be standard or alternative needs to be conducted.

3. Introduction Herbal medicine uses plants and plant extracts for healing purposes and improvements in well-being (Vickers & Zollman, 1999). It is more common in UK (Pozadski et al, 2013), India (Vaidya and Devasagayam, 2007), and China (Eisenberg & Wright, 1995). Here in the US, only 20% of the population is reportedly using herbal products (Bent, 2008). It is interesting to know whether the educational background of the individual has an influence on their perspective on the use of herbal medicine. This study aims to know whether students at the University of North Georgia, Cumming campus, enrolled in a science course have a different perspective on herbal medicine from those enrolled in a non-science course. The null hypothesis is that there is no significant difference between the college students’ perspective on the use of herbal medicine whether they are enrolled in a science or non-science courses. Introduction Herbal medicine uses plants and plant extracts for healing purposes and improvements in well-being (Vickers & Zollman, 1999). It is more common in UK (Pozadski et al, 2013), India (Vaidya and Devasagayam, 2007), and China (Eisenberg & Wright, 1995). Here in the US, only 20% of the population is reportedly using herbal products (Bent, 2008). It is interesting to know whether the educational background of the individual has an influence on their perspective on the use of herbal medicine. This study aims to know whether students at the University of North Georgia, Cumming campus, enrolled in a science course have a different perspective on herbal medicine from those enrolled in a non-science course. The null hypothesis is that there is no significant difference between the college students’ perspective on the use of herbal medicine whether they are enrolled in a science or non-science courses.

4. Methods A survey was conducted separately on 25 college students enrolled in science and non-science classes at the University of North Georgia, Cumming campus. The students’ responses to the questions were recorded and analyzed. To determine if the difference in the responses was statistically significant, T-test was used. Methods A survey was conducted separately on 25 college students enrolled in science and non-science classes at the University of North Georgia, Cumming campus. The students’ responses to the questions were recorded and analyzed. To determine if the difference in the responses was statistically significant, T-test was used.

5. Survey Questions __ Male __ Female 1. Do you know the difference between herbal and non-herbal medicine? 2. Would you prefer herbal medicine over non-herbal medicine? 3. Are you willing to pay more for an herbal medicine over the same medicine item that is not herbal? 4. Do you think taking herbal medicine is healthier than non-herbal medicine? 5. If you answered yes to questions 3 and 4, does it change your mind knowing that there is no side affects in herbal medicines compared to generic medicine? Survey Questions __ Male __ Female 1. Do you know the difference between herbal and non-herbal medicine? 2. Would you prefer herbal medicine over non-herbal medicine? 3. Are you willing to pay more for an herbal medicine over the same medicine item that is not herbal? 4. Do you think taking herbal medicine is healthier than non-herbal medicine? 5. If you answered yes to questions 3 and 4, does it change your mind knowing that there is no side affects in herbal medicines compared to generic medicine?

6. Results As shown in Figure 1, the percentage of students enrolled in a science class who responded Yes, No, Not sure, and No idea if they know the difference between herbal and non-herbal medicine is not significantly different from those enrolled in a non-science class (p>0.05). However, the percentage of those enrolled in science class who responded Yes is significantly higher than those who said otherwise (p 0.05). Results As shown in Figure 1, the percentage of students enrolled in a science class who responded Yes, No, Not sure, and No idea if they know the difference between herbal and non-herbal medicine is not significantly different from those enrolled in a non-science class (p>0.05). However, the percentage of those enrolled in science class who responded Yes is significantly higher than those who said otherwise (p 0.05).

7. Figure 1. Percentage of students enrolled separately in a science and non-science class who responded either Yes, No, Not sure, or No idea to the given question in the survey form if they know the difference between herbal and non-herbal medicine.

8. Results Figure 2 shows that the percentage of students enrolled in a science class who responded Yes, No, Not sure, and No idea if they would prefer herbal over non-herbal medicine is not significantly different from those enrolled in a non-science class (p>0.05). Even within non-science class only the responses are also not significantly (p>0.05). Within the science class, the only significant difference is a higher percentage of those who responded No idea compared to the other responses (p>0.05). Results Figure 2 shows that the percentage of students enrolled in a science class who responded Yes, No, Not sure, and No idea if they would prefer herbal over non-herbal medicine is not significantly different from those enrolled in a non-science class (p>0.05). Even within non-science class only the responses are also not significantly (p>0.05). Within the science class, the only significant difference is a higher percentage of those who responded No idea compared to the other responses (p>0.05).

9. Figure 2. Percentage of students enrolled separately in science and non-science class who responded either Yes, No, Not sure, or No idea to the given question in the survey form as to whether they would prefer herbal over non-herbal medicine.

10. Results The responses of students enrolled separately in a science and non- science classes as to; Yes, No, Not sure, and No idea on the question whether they are willing to pay more on an herbal over a non-herbal medicine that would serve the same purpose is not significantly different (p>0.05). This is also observed even within non-science class and within science class only comparison (p>0.05) (Figure 3). Results The responses of students enrolled separately in a science and non- science classes as to; Yes, No, Not sure, and No idea on the question whether they are willing to pay more on an herbal over a non-herbal medicine that would serve the same purpose is not significantly different (p>0.05). This is also observed even within non-science class and within science class only comparison (p>0.05) (Figure 3).

11. Figure 3. Percentage of students enrolled separately in science and non-science class who responded either Yes, No, Not sure, or No idea to the given question in the survey form if they would pay more for an herbal over non-herbal medicine that serves the same purpose.

12. Results As shown in Figure 4, the percentage of students enrolled in a science class who responded Yes, No, Not sure, and No whether they think that taking herbal medicine is healthier than non-herbal form is not significantly different from those enrolled in a non-science class (p>0.05). Comparison within science class however, showed a significantly higher percentage of those who responded Yes than the other given responses (p 0.05). Results As shown in Figure 4, the percentage of students enrolled in a science class who responded Yes, No, Not sure, and No whether they think that taking herbal medicine is healthier than non-herbal form is not significantly different from those enrolled in a non-science class (p>0.05). Comparison within science class however, showed a significantly higher percentage of those who responded Yes than the other given responses (p 0.05).

13. Figure 4. Percentage of students enrolled separately in science and non-science class who responded either Yes, No, Not sure, or No idea to the given question in the survey form whether they think that taking herbal medicine is healthier than non- herbal form.

14. Results Figure 5 shows that the percentage of the responses of students enrolled separately in a science and non-science classes as to; Yes, No, Not sure, and No idea on the question if they are willing to pay more and thinks that an herbal medicine is healthier over non-herbal medicine, will it change their mind if they know that herbal medicine has no side effects compared to non-herbal form is not significantly different (p>0.05). This is also observed even within non-science class and within science class only comparison (p>0.05). Results Figure 5 shows that the percentage of the responses of students enrolled separately in a science and non-science classes as to; Yes, No, Not sure, and No idea on the question if they are willing to pay more and thinks that an herbal medicine is healthier over non-herbal medicine, will it change their mind if they know that herbal medicine has no side effects compared to non-herbal form is not significantly different (p>0.05). This is also observed even within non-science class and within science class only comparison (p>0.05).

15. Figure 5. Percentage of students enrolled separately in science and non-science class who responded either Yes, No, Not sure, or No idea to the given question in the survey form that if they are willing to pay more and thinks that an herbal medicine is healthier over non-herbal medicine, will it change their mind if they know that herbal medicine has no side effects compared to non-herbal form.

16. Discussion The results clearly indicate that whether students are enrolled in science or non-science classes generally do not have any difference in their perspective on the use of herbal and non-herbal medicines. This supports the formulated null hypothesis. This implies that whether somebody has more science background or not, their perspective toward herbal medicine is the same. The interesting part is that there are still a lot of students who generally have no idea about the difference between herbal and non-herbal medicines except those enrolled within the science class which seems to know the difference more than those within the non-science course. This poses the question, is it important that students and probably every citizen be given the right information about alternative medicine choices such as herbal medicine? This is a question that needs serious consideration if we want students, professionals, and the like in this country to be well- informed about all the choices and possibilities available to them including all forms of medicine may it be standard or alternative. Discussion The results clearly indicate that whether students are enrolled in science or non-science classes generally do not have any difference in their perspective on the use of herbal and non-herbal medicines. This supports the formulated null hypothesis. This implies that whether somebody has more science background or not, their perspective toward herbal medicine is the same. The interesting part is that there are still a lot of students who generally have no idea about the difference between herbal and non-herbal medicines except those enrolled within the science class which seems to know the difference more than those within the non-science course. This poses the question, is it important that students and probably every citizen be given the right information about alternative medicine choices such as herbal medicine? This is a question that needs serious consideration if we want students, professionals, and the like in this country to be well- informed about all the choices and possibilities available to them including all forms of medicine may it be standard or alternative.

17. Literature Cited Bent, S. (2008). Herbal Medicine in the United States: Review of Efficacy, Safety, and Regulation: Grand Rounds at University of California, San Francisco Medical Center. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 23(6), 854–859. doi:10.1007/s11606-008- 0632-y DUKE, JAMES A.. "Returning to Our Medicinal Roots.(herbal medicine for alternative health care)." Meridians: feminism, race, transnationalism. Indiana University Press. 2001. Retrieved February 18, 2015 from HighBeam Research: http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-73088521.html http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-73088521.html Eisenberg, David, and Thomas Lee Wright. Encounters with Qi: Exploring Chinese Medicine. New York: W. W. Norton & Company, 1995. Posadzki, P., Watson, L. K., Alotaibi, A. and Ernst, E. (2013), Prevalence of herbal medicine use by UK patients/consumers: a systematic review of surveys. Focus on Alternative and Complementary Therapies, 18: 19–26. doi: 10.1111/fct.12006 Vaidya, A. D. B., & Devasagayam, T. P. A. (2007). Current Status of Herbal Drugs in India: An Overview. Journal of Clinical Biochemistry and Nutrition, 41(1), 1–11. doi:10.3164/jcbn.2007001 Vickers, A., & Zollman, C. (1999). Herbal medicine. BMJ : British Medical Journal, 319(7216), 1050–1053. Literature Cited Bent, S. (2008). Herbal Medicine in the United States: Review of Efficacy, Safety, and Regulation: Grand Rounds at University of California, San Francisco Medical Center. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 23(6), 854–859. doi:10.1007/s11606-008- 0632-y DUKE, JAMES A.. "Returning to Our Medicinal Roots.(herbal medicine for alternative health care)." Meridians: feminism, race, transnationalism. Indiana University Press. 2001. Retrieved February 18, 2015 from HighBeam Research: http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-73088521.html http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-73088521.html Eisenberg, David, and Thomas Lee Wright. Encounters with Qi: Exploring Chinese Medicine. New York: W. W. Norton & Company, 1995. Posadzki, P., Watson, L. K., Alotaibi, A. and Ernst, E. (2013), Prevalence of herbal medicine use by UK patients/consumers: a systematic review of surveys. Focus on Alternative and Complementary Therapies, 18: 19–26. doi: 10.1111/fct.12006 Vaidya, A. D. B., & Devasagayam, T. P. A. (2007). Current Status of Herbal Drugs in India: An Overview. Journal of Clinical Biochemistry and Nutrition, 41(1), 1–11. doi:10.3164/jcbn.2007001 Vickers, A., & Zollman, C. (1999). Herbal medicine. BMJ : British Medical Journal, 319(7216), 1050–1053.