Research on Chinese herbals for asthma and allergy
Medscape has reported the results of 3 studies presented during the American Academy of Asthma, Allergy and Immunology (AAAAI) Annual Meeting.
Anti-asthma herbal medicine intervention (ASHMI)
- A 3-herb formulation (GanCao, KuShen, and LingZhi).
- ASHMI reduced total immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels in patients with allergic asthma.
- Atopic individuals (those with a predisposition to an allergic reaction) can have up to 10 times the normal level of IgE in their blood.
- Although this may not be a requirement for symptoms to occur.
Food Allergy Herbal Formula (FAHF)-2
- Consists of 9 herbs.
- 12 patients with a history of peanut, tree nut, fish, or shellfish allergy completed this dose-escalation study.
- 2.2, 3.3, or 6.6 grams 3 times daily for 7 days.
- It seems safe.
Traditional Chinese medicine
- 14 children were treated with Erka Shizheng herbal tea, bath additives, creams, and acupuncture.
- The researchers confirmed the content of the herbals before use.
- A 60% to 90% reduction in atopic dermatitis was reported in 13 of the 14 patients after 3.3 months.
- More than a 50% improvement in Dermatology Life-Quality Index scores was recorded in 13 of 14 patients in 2.4 months.
- Peripheral eosinophilia (sign of an allergic reaction) decreased significantly, with no change in total blood counts.
- There were no liver- or kidney-function-test abnormalities.
- Patients reported a reduction in use of steroids, antibiotics, and antihistamines within 3 months of treatment.
3/24/09 16:09 JR