Use of medicinal plants in complementary treatment of the common cold and influenza – Perception of pharmacy customers in Moldova and Romania

•Respondents are frequent users of herbs for treatment of common cold and flu.•There are different patterns of medicinal plants´ use amongst the respondents.•Medicinal plants have been considered effective in monotherapy.•They are effective also in combination with non-prescription medicines.•This is the first study in the field in Moldova and Romania.