Purpose: To evaluate the extent and pattern of use of herbal bitters among students.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study where pre-tested structured questionnaires were administered to 1000 students. The questionnaire elicited information on the extent and pattern of use, self-reported indications, side effects experienced and possible drugs that were concomitantly co-administered with herbal bitters. Pearson Chi square, Fisher exact test and Relative risk ratio were used to detect association between gender and self-reported indications and side effects experienced with herbal bitters at a level of significance of p < 0.05.

Results: The response rate and extent of use were 96 % and 40.9 % respectively. Herbal bitters were used for claims such as cleansers 88 (40.2 %), anti-infectives 48 (21.1 %), for rejuvenation 32 (14.0 %), and for weight loss 14 (6.1 %). Self-reported side effects included dizziness 49 (22.0 %), loss of taste 46 (20.6 %) and nausea and vomiting 22 (9.7 %). Herbal bitters were also co-administered with anti-malarials 22 (6.3 %); analgesics 16 (4.5 %) and herbal supplements 13 (3.7 %). Reports of students using two different types of herbal bitter concurrently 15 (3.9 %) were also garnered. Male students experienced more side effects than females (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: The co-administration of herbal bitters with allopathic medicines and the use of more than one herbal bitter at a time reported in this study can be addressed by the appropriate health authorities through proper educational programme.