Geranium extract reduces bronchitis symptoms

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Geranium extract reduces bronchitis symptoms

J Fam Pract. 2004 March;53(3):172-188

By

Mark Gwynne, DO

Warren Newton, MD, MPH

BACKGROUND: Acute bronchitis is common in primary care, but controversy remains about appropriate management. Symptomatic therapy is the mainstay of treatment, although antibiotics are commonly used. This randomized controlled trial assessed the effectiveness of geranium root extract in reducing bronchitis symptoms.
POPULATION STUDIED: The authors enrolled 476 adults with a clinical diagnosis of bronchitis from primary care medical centers in Germany. Subjects needed to have at least 48 hours of illness and severe symptoms, as measured by a Bronchitis Severity Score (BSS) of at least 5 points (0–4 points of severity given to each of 5 features: cough, sputum, rales/rhonchi, tussive chest pain, dyspnea). Exclusion criteria included antibiotic therapy in the previous 4 weeks; asthma; severe heart, renal, or liver disease; immunosuppression; drug or alcohol abuse; and pregnancy or lactation.
STUDY DESIGN AND VALIDITY: This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled prospective study with concealed allocation. Acute bronchitis was diagnosed clinically, and the severity was assessed using the BSS. Treatment consisted of 1.5 mL of aqueous ethanolic extract (11%) of P sidoides root 3 times daily for 7 days. Placebo was matched for color, taste, smell, and viscosity.
OUTCOMES MEASURED: The primary outcome was the change in BSS on day 7. Secondary outcomes included the change in specific symptoms, change in health status and quality of life according to questionnaires, patient satisfaction, and work status. Cost and clinician satisfaction were not addressed.
RESULTS: Treatment and control groups were similar at the outset; follow-up was 98%. Patients taking geranium extract had lower BSS scores on day 7 than those taking placebo (3.0 points difference; P<.0001). The same pattern was found for improvement or disappearance of cough (89% vs 57%; number needed to treat [NNT]=3), hoarseness (82% vs 58%; NNT=3), headache (90% vs 62%; NNT=3), fever (97% vs 58%; NNT=3), rales/rhonchi (91% vs 57%; NNT=3).

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Geranium extract reduces bronchitis symptoms

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