Evidence growing for benefits of the herb pelargonium

Adjunctive treatment with Pelargonium sidoides (EPs 7630) results in fewer exacerbations and less antibiotic use in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients, a recent study shows. ‘The analysis showed consistently greater efficacy of EPs 7630 compared to placebo when added to basic COPD therapy,’ say the authors of this double-blind, placebo controlled trial. The study, published recently in the journal Respiratory Medicin,  included 200 COPD patients who were randomised to receive either placebo or EPs 7630.  Patients were eligible for the study if they had a history of chronic bronchitis, with at least 3 exacerbations in a year, and a forced expiratory volume (FEV1) <80% and ≥30% of the expected value (COPD-II/III).