Bad Times Are Good for Herbal Medicines

Climbing sales of herbal medicines have paralleled the tanking economy, according to an Associated Press review of recent data from market-watchers and retailers. Use of alternative treatments is on the rise as many Americans confront the high cost of conventional healthcare by putting off routine doctor visits and turning to self-medication. For the three months that ended Dec. 28, nationwide retail sales of vitamins and supplements totaled nearly $639 million, up almost 10% from the same period in 2007. That includes a nearly 6% increase in sales of herbal supplements alone, according to Information Resources Inc., a Chicago-based market research firm.

—Philly.com, 1/14/09