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