Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Pediatric Allergic Disorders

 

Xiu-Min Li

Department of Pediatrics, Mount Sinai School of Medicine

 

Abstract

---

Purpose of review - Allergic disorders represent serious public health problem in children. The chronic nature of these diseases and the fear of known side effects of synthetic drugs influence many families to seek complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). This review focuses on TCM herbal products, acupuncture for treating paediatric allergies.

 

Recent findings - Given the general safety profile, reputed efficacy, TCM are well received by the general population. However, compared to the long human use history and popularity of use of TCM, research into its efficacy and safety is still in infancy. Recent 2-3 years there are more controlled studies of TCM for allergic asthma, allergic rhinitis. Several publications including ours indicate that some TCM herbal formulas are safe and produced some levels of efficacy. Some herbal formula also showed beneficial immunomodualtory effects. Several preclinical studies demonstrated that the food allergy herbal formula-2 (FAHF-2) was effective in protecting against peanut anaphylaxis in animal model. Two TCM products have entered the clinical trials in the US for treating asthma and food allergy respectively. Both of these trials include children.

 

Summary - Recently studies indicate that TCM therapy including herbal medicines and acupuncture for allergic disorders in children is safe. There are also promising clinical and objective improvement. More controlled clinical studies are encouraged.

 

Keywords: Complementary and Alternative Medicine; traditional Chinese medicine; acupuncture; allergic disorders in children; Th1 and Th2 balance

 

Copyright © 2009 Li. Published by Current Opinion in Allergy and Clinical Immunology.

 All rights reserved.

1.              Introduction

2.              Safety and efficacy of Chinese herbal therapy for childhood asthma

1.           ASHMI

2.           Modified Mai Men Dong Tang (mMMDT)

3.           Ding Chuan Tang (DCT)

4.           STA-1

3.              Safety and efficacy of acupuncture for asthma and allergic rhinitis in children

4.              Development of herbal interventions for food allergy

5.              Conclusion

6.              Reference List

 

Join our member to get full-text article! Join Free!