S. African geraniums effective in treatment of adults with acute bronchitis

A recent clinical trial in Europe showed that EPs® 7630, a remedy made from the roots of Pelargonium sidoides — a species of geranium unique to South Africa, is an effective alternative treatment of acute bronchitis. The results were published in the November 2005 issue of EXPLORE: The Journal of Science and Healing.

Upper respiratory tract infections such as acute bronchitis are one of the most frequent infections encountered by primary care healthcare providers. In approximately 70% of cases, acute bronchitis, which is almost always caused by viruses, is treated with antibiotics. The duration of the disease is not substantially shortened by this practice and there are numerous risks, including gastrointestinal side effects, allergic reactions, and development of resistant bacteria leading to a longer duration of treatment and relapse. Despite their frequent use, antibiotics are no longer recommended as first line treatment for acute bronchitis.

In the clinical trial, 124 adults with acute bronchitis in six different outpatient clinics were given either EPs® 7630 or a placebo for seven days. Improvement in health within four days was recognized in more than two thirds of patients in the EPs® 7630 group as compared to one third of patients in the placebo group. In addition, significantly more of the patients in the EPs® 7630 group reported complete recovery. The trial was conducted by AG Chuchalin, MD, of the Russian Research Institute of Pulmonology in Moscow, Russia, in accordance with international clinical research guidelines. W. Lehmacher from the prestigious Institute for Medical Statistics, Informatics and Epidemiology at the University of Cologne, Germany conducted the independent statistical evaluation and data analysis.

From Elsevier.com