 |
|
Effectiveness of an Herbal Preparation Containing Echinacea, Propolis, and Vitamin C in Preventing Respiratory Tract Infections in Children
A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-Controlled, Multicenter Study
Herman A. Cohen, MD;
Itzchak Varsano, MD;
Ernesto Kahan, MD, MPH;
E. Michael Sarrell, MD;
Yosef Uziel, MD
Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2004;158:217-221.
Objective To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of a preparation containing echinacea, propolis, and vitamin C in the prevention of respiratory tract infections in children during a 12-week winter period.
Design Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.
Subjects Four hundred thirty children, aged 1 to 5 years, were randomized to an herbal extract preparation (n = 215) or a placebo elixir (n = 215).
Intervention Administration of an herbal preparation (Chizukit) containing 50 mg/mL of echinacea, 50 mg/mL of propolis, and 10 mg/mL of vitamin C, or placebo (5.0 mL and 7.5 mL twice daily for ages 1 to 3 years and 4 to 5 years, respectively) for 12 weeks.
Results Significant mean ± SD reductions of illnesses were seen in the Chizukit group in the number of illness episodes, 138 vs 308 (55% reduction); number of episodes per child, 0.9 ± 1.1 vs 1.8 ± 1.3 (50% reduction, P<.001); and number of days with fever per child, 2.1 ± 2.9 vs 5.4 ± 4.4) (62% reduction, P<.001). The total number of illness days and duration of individual episodes were also significantly lower in the Chizukit group. Adverse drug reactions were rare, mild, and transient.
Conclusion A preventive effect of a product containing echinacea, propolis, and vitamin C on the incidence of respiratory tract infections was observed.
From the Pediatric and Adolescent Ambulatory Community Clinic (Drs Cohen and Sarrell) and Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel and Sackler Faculty of Medicine (Dr Varsano), Petach Tikva; Department of Family Medicine, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv (Drs Cohen and Kahan); Israel Pediatric Research in Office Setting Network of the Israel Ambulatory Pediatrics Association, Tel Aviv (Drs Cohen, Varsano, Kahan, Sarrell, and Uziel); and Department of Pediatrics, Sapir Medical Center, Kfar Saba, and Sackler Faculty of Medicine (Dr Uziel), Israel.
RELATED ARTICLE
Can an Herbal Preparation of Echinacea, Propolis, and Vitamin C Reduce Respiratory Illnesses in Children?
Shilpa Sangvai, Jennifer Chianese, Natalia Morone, Debra L. Bogen, Laura Voigt, and Nader Shaikh
Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2004;158(3):222-224.
EXTRACT
| FULL TEXT
THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES
|
Complementary, Holistic, and Integrative Medicine: The Common Cold
Bukutu et al.
Pediatr. Rev. 2008;29:e66-e71.
FULL TEXT
Diagnosis and Management of Bronchiolitis
Subcommittee on Diagnosis and Management of Bronch
Pediatrics 2006;118:1774-1793.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Echinacea
Charrois et al.
Pediatr. Rev. 2006;27:385-387.
FULL TEXT
Complementary and alternative medicine for upper-respiratory-tract infection in children
Carr and Nahata
Am J Health Syst Pharm 2006;63:33-39.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Herbal preparation to prevent respiratory tract infections
EDUCATION AND PRACTICE 2004;89:ep39-ep39.
FULL TEXT
An Herbal Combination that Prevents Common Infections in Children?
Paul
AAP Grand Rounds 2004;12:5-5.
FULL TEXT
Herbal Preparation Reduces Colds in Children
JWatch General 2004;2004:6-6.
FULL TEXT
Can an Herbal Preparation of Echinacea, Propolis, and Vitamin C Reduce Respiratory Illnesses in Children?
Sangvai et al.
Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2004;158:222-224.
FULL TEXT
|
