- 1Department of Integrative Gastroenterology, Kliniken Essen-Mitte, Essen, Germany.
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
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.
METHODS:
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.
RESULTS:
34
RCTs (N = 7,083) on Pelargonium sidoides (11 RCTs), Echinacea (8 RCTs),
Andrographis paniculata (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 A. paniculata (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 P. sidiodes (RR = 4.60; 95% CI = 2.89,7.31; P<0.001), and limited
evidence for Echinacea (SMD = -0.68; 95% CI = -1.32, -0.04; P = 0.04).
CONCLUSION:
This
review found strong evidence for A. paniculata and
ivy/primrose/thyme-based preparations and moderate evidence for P.
sidoides 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.
© 2015 S. Karger GmbH, Freiburg.
- PMID:
- 26840418
- [PubMed - in process]
-
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