Oral Astragalus (Huang qi) for preventing frequent episodes of acute respiratory tract infection in children
Su G, Chen X, Liu Z, Yang L, Zhang L, Stålsby Lundborg C, Wen Z, Guo X, Qin X, Liang J, Liu X · Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews · 2016 December 01
DOI 10.1002/14651858.CD011958.pub2
Objective
To investigate the effectiveness and safety of oral Astragalus as a sole intervention for preventing frequent acute respiratory tract infections in children in community settings.
Conclusions
This systematic review found insufficient evidence to assess the effectiveness and safety of oral Astragalus as a sole intervention for preventing frequent acute respiratory tract infections in children aged up to 14 years.
Critical Appraisal
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Insights
No placebo-controlled randomized trials have tested oral Astragalus alone to prevent recurrent respiratory infections in children.
The review searched major English-language and Chinese medical databases for studies comparing oral Astragalus alone with placebo in children with frequent acute respiratory infections. Researchers planned to use standardized Cochrane review methods to select studies, extract data, and assess potential bias.
Although thousands of records were identified, none met all eligibility criteria. Studies were excluded because they lacked randomization or placebo control, used Astragalus in herbal mixtures, involved unsuitable participants or interventions, or examined treatment rather than prevention; therefore, effectiveness and safety could not be assessed.
