Herbal interventions for chronic asthma in adults and children: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Aims: To assess the efficacy of herb and plant extracts in the management of asthma.Method: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Multiple database searches identified randomised placebo controlled trials of herbal interventions reporting at least one primary outcome measure. Where possible data were combined for meta-analysis. Primary outcome measures were lung function, exacerbations and reduction in corticosteroid use. Secondary outcome measures were symptoms and symptom scores, use of reliever medications, changes in rates of consultation and adverse effects.Results: Twenty-six studies reporting on 20 herbal preparations were included. Two of six studies reporting change in FEV1 were positive. Little data was available on frequency of exacerbations. For primary outcomes single studies of Boswellia, Mai-Men-Dong-Tang, Pycnogenol, Jia-Wei-Si-Jun-Zi-Tang and Tylophora indica showed potential to improve lung function, and a study of 1.8-Cineol (eucalyptol) showed reduced daily oral steroid dosage.Conclusions: Improvements in symptoms were not strongly supported by objective changes. Most trials were of small sample size, short duration, and poor methodology. Further adequately powered trials are needed to assess these compounds. Such trials should conform to CONSORT guidance, report standardised spirometry, and use validated symptom and severity scores. No recommendations for herbal treatment of asthma can be made from the current evidence.

Acupoint Application for Asthma Therapy in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

“…Due to the small sample size and poor methodology, there were no clear recommendations in applying TCM for the treatment of asthma [24,25,26], although some studies reported promising effects [27,28,29,30,31]. The employment of Chinese herbal preparations resulted in beneficial improvements in the pulmonary function and relieved asthma symptoms [27,28,29].…”

Akupunkt-Anwendungen bei Asthma im Erwachsenenalter: Eine systematische Übersicht und Meta-Analyse randomisierter kontrollierter Studien

“…Aufgrund des geringen Stichprobenumfangs und der mangelhaften Methodik wurden keine klaren Empfehlungen für die Anwendung der TCM zur Behandlung von Asthma ausgesprochen [24,25,26], obwohl einige Studien von vielversprechenden Effekten berichten [27,28,29,30,31]. Der Einsatz chinesischer Pflanzenpräparate bewirkte Verbesserungen der Lungenfunktion und eine Linderung der Asthmasymptomatik [27,28,29].…”

Complementary and alternative medicine in pulmonology

“…Most studies that have been carried out are in cases of adults and children with asthma. A review of herbal preparation studies in asthma identified 26 trials of 20 different herbal preparations, and the majority of the studies reported no significant differences in measure of lung function or steroid dosage [12]. A few smaller studies reported improvement in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) or airway hyper-responsiveness for herbal remedies such as Ding Chuan Tang [13], Boswellia [14], TJ-96-Saiboku-to [15], and Tylophoraindica [16].…”