Effect of “yang-warming and kidney essence-replenishing” herbal paste on cold-related asthma exacerbation

This trial tested whether patients with moderate to severe asthma would suffer less exacerbation of their condition during winter if they took a Chinese herbal paste in addition to their usual care. The herbal paste was composed of: Yin Yang Huo (Epimedii Herba), Ba Ji Tian (Morindae officinalis Radix), Huang Qi (Astragali Radix), Dang Shen (Codonopsis Radix), He Shou Wu (Polygoni multiflori Radix), Huang Jing (Polygonati Rhizoma), Shu Di Huang (Rehmanniae Radix preparata), Shan Zhu Yu (Corni Fructus), Mai Men Dong (Ophiopogonis Radix), Ye Qiao Mai Gen (Fagopyrum Dibotrys Hara), Hu Tui Ye (Elaeagnifolia Lithocarpus), Huang Jing Zi (Viticis Negundo Fructus), Fa Ban Xia (Rhizoma Pinelliae Ternatae), Pu Gong Ying (Taraxaci Herba), E Jiao (AsiniCoriiColla), Gui Jiao (Colla Plastrum Testudinis), GeJie (Gecko), Zi He Che (Hominis Placenta), BaiShen (White Ginseng), crystal sugar and maltose. The paste was taken orally for 60 days from December 21st, at a dose of 25g twice daily with warm water. Compared to a control group (n=69, usual care), the treatment group (n=74) experienced a significant reduction in frequency of catching cold, asthma exacerbation and ‘Kidney deficiency syndrome score’, leading the authors to conclude that the herbal paste could reduce cold-related asthma exacerbation. [Aug 2013]