Herbal Medicine in Children With Respiratory Tract Infection: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Anheyer D, Cramer H, Lauche R, Saha FJ, Dobos G · Academic Pediatrics · 2018 January

DOI 10.1016/j.acap.2017.06.006

Objective

To investigate the effectiveness and safety of herbal therapies for treating respiratory tract infections in children and adolescents.

Conclusions

The review found conflicting evidence regarding Echinacea, while Pelargonium sidoides demonstrated moderate evidence of efficacy and safety for treating respiratory tract infections in children.

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Insights

Pelargonium sidoides may safely improve respiratory infection symptoms in children, whereas evidence for Echinacea prevention remains inconclusive.

The review searched major medical databases for randomized controlled trials involving children and adolescents with respiratory tract infections. Eligible studies compared herbal treatments with no treatment, placebo, or conventional medicines, and assessed both symptom improvement and adverse effects. Eleven trials were included, covering Echinacea, an herbal combination preparation, and Pelargonium sidoides. Evidence did not clearly support Echinacea or the herbal combination preparation for preventing respiratory infection symptoms. Combined results from trials of Pelargonium sidoides indicated that it improved respiratory symptoms compared with placebo, with no clear indication of increased adverse effects, providing moderate support for its effectiveness and safety in children.