In:
Complementary Medicine Research, S. Karger AG, Vol. 22, No. 6 ( 2015), p. 359-368
Abstract:
〈 b 〉 〈 i 〉 Background: 〈 /i 〉 〈 /b 〉 The aim of this review was to systematically assess the literature on herbal medicine for cough as a symptom of upper respiratory tract infections and common cold. 〈 b 〉 〈 i 〉 Methods: 〈 /i 〉 〈 /b 〉 The Cochrane Library, Scopus, MEDLINE/PubMed, and Embase were searched through March 2012 for RCTs testing the effects of herbal medicine for cough. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane tool. 〈 b 〉 〈 i 〉 Results: 〈 /i 〉 〈 /b 〉 34 RCTs (N = 7,083) on 〈 i 〉 Pelargonium sidoides 〈 /i 〉 (11 RCTs), 〈 i 〉 Echinacea 〈 /i 〉 (8 RCTs), 〈 i 〉 Andrographis paniculata 〈 /i 〉 (6 RCTs), ivy/primrose/thyme (4 RCTs), essential oils (4 RCTs) and bakumondoto (1 RCT) were included. Controls were mainly placebo. Most studies had a low risk of bias. The meta-analysis revealed strong evidence for 〈 i 〉 A. paniculata 〈 /i 〉 (SMD = -1.00, 95% CI = -1.85, -0.15; P 〈 0.001) and ivy/primrose/thyme (RR = 1.40, 95% CI = 1.23, 1.60; P 〈 0.001) in treating cough; moderate evidence for 〈 i 〉 P. sidiodes 〈 /i 〉 (RR = 4.60; 95% CI = 2.89,7.31; P 〈 0.001), and limited evidence for 〈 i 〉 Echinacea 〈 /i 〉 (SMD = -0.68; 95% CI = -1.32, -0.04; P = 0.04). 〈 b 〉 〈 i 〉 Conclusion: 〈 /i 〉 〈 /b 〉 This review found strong evidence for 〈 i 〉 A. paniculata 〈 /i 〉 and ivy/primrose/thyme-based preparations and moderate evidence for 〈 i 〉 P. sidoides 〈 /i 〉 being significantly superior to placebo in alleviating the frequency and severity of patients' cough symptoms. Additional research, including other herbal treatments, is needed in this area.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
2504-2092
,
2504-2106
Language:
English
Publisher:
S. Karger AG
Publication Date:
2015
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2888724-4
