Work

Depressive symptoms, anxiety, stress, and the use of medicinal plants by nursing students

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: to verify the presence of symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress among nursing students related to the use of medicinal plants. METHOD: cross-sectional study carried out virtually in January and November 2023, with undergraduate nursing students from a public university in Minas Gerais, Brazil. Descriptive statistical analysis, calculation of mean and standard deviation, and independent T-test were used for comparison between groups. RESULTS: 73 students participated, reporting severe or extremely severe symptoms of depression (35.6%), anxiety (42.4%), and stress (36.9%). The majority (56.2%) used medicinal plants, the most common being: chamomile, lemon grass, mint, boldo, aloe, and fennel, mainly for calming/relaxing effects, anxiety, flu/cold, and stress. Consumer students reported improvement in the symptoms for which they sought to use the plants, planting them in their own backyard, however they used them empirically. CONCLUSION: the study showed a wide use of medicinal plants among nursing students. Symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress were more present among students who used medicinal plants and among those enrolled in the initial periods (1st to 5th). The difference between groups was statistically significant for stress, considering the period studied.

Source: Revista gaúcha de enfermagem

DOI: 10.1590/1983-1447.2025.20240244.en

Authors: Marcella Cecilio de Almeida, Raquel Valente de Souza, Gabrielli Sousa dos Santos, Joyce Assunção Barros, Adriana Cristina Nicolussi

Institution: Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro

Language: English

Topic: Complementary and Alternative Medicine Studies

Subfield: Complementary and alternative medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $190