OBJECTIVE: To describe the users of herbal medicine products and food supplements with regard to age and gender specifically among persons aged > or = 60 years.

DESIGN: A descriptive study with baseline data from a longitudinal study of the elderly, stratified into different age cohorts (60-69, 70-79, 80-89, and > or = 90 years).

SETTING: Blekinge county, situated in south-eastern Sweden.

SUBJECTS: In total 1380 persons aged 60-96 years (median age 78 years).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Current use of herbal medicine products and the use of food supplements.

RESULTS: Of the participants, 264/1380 (19.1%) used at least one herbal medicine product, 184/1380 (13.3%) used at least one food supplement and 382/1380 (27.7%) used herbal medicine products and/or food supplements. In all regression models, women had a higher probability of using herbal medicine and/or food supplements in comparison with men. Focusing on the use of herbal medicine products alone and the combination of using herbal medicine and/or food supplements, decreased use was seen with increasing age. However, 27.9% were still users of herbal medicine products and/or food supplements in the age group 80-89 years. In comparison, 14% were users in the age group > or = 90 years. Age did not have an impact on the probability of taking food supplements.

CONCLUSION: General practitioners need to consider the high use of herbal medicine products and food supplements among the elderly when making decisions on treatment.