Safety gaps and usage patterns of Floral Therapy: An exploratory study in a community pharmacy in northern Chile
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.46502/issn.2710-995X/2025.13.04Keywords:
Floral therapy, Bach flower remedies, complementary medicine, patient safety, community pharmacy, home storageAbstract
Objective: To characterize usage patterns and identify safety gaps associated with floral therapy in a community pharmacy setting. Methods: An exploratory, cross-sectional pilot study was conducted during late 2025 using consecutive sampling of all eligible users from the accessible population (n = 34). Results: Although 85.3% of participants reported moderate-to-high knowledge of floral therapy, critical safety gaps were identified. Specifically, 38.2% stored the product in bedrooms, a condition potentially unsuitable for proper storage and product stability, and reliance on informal recommendations (family and friends) predominated over professional advice. Conclusions: Despite high user familiarity, significant risks related to inadequate storage practices and self-medication persist. These findings highlight the urgent need for pharmacist-led educational protocols aimed at promoting safe and responsible use in the community setting.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Diana Belén Contador Alucema, Maraelys Morales Gonzáles, Alejandrina Paola Andrea Alucema Vargas, Irina Licea Jiménez
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