Complementary and alternative medicine in pediatric allergic disorders.
OBJECTIVE
Allergic disorders represent a 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. This review focuses on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) herbal products and acupuncture for treating pediatric allergies.


RESULTS
Given the general safety profile and reputed efficacy, TCM are well received by the general population. However, compared with the long human history and popularity of the use of TCM, research into its efficacy and safety is still in its infancy. In the last 2-3 years, there have been more controlled studies of TCM for allergic asthma and allergic rhinitis. Several publications including ours indicate that some TCM herbal formulas are well tolerated and produce some level of efficacy. Some herbal formulas also showed beneficial immunomodualtory effects. Several preclinical studies demonstrated that the food allergy herbal formula-2 was effective in protecting against peanut anaphylaxis in animal models. Two TCM products have entered clinical trials in the United States for treating asthma and food allergy, respectively. Both of these trials include children.


CONCLUSIONS
Recent studies indicate that TCM therapy including herbal medicines and acupuncture for allergic disorders in children is well tolerated. There are also promising clinical and objective improvements. More controlled clinical studies are encouraged.
Li
Xiu-Min
XM
Department of Pediatrics, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA. xiu-min.li@mssm.edu
D015670:Acupuncture Therapy; D002648:Child; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000187:drug effects; D008516:Medicine, Chinese Traditional; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014481:United States; D014486:United States Food and Drug Administration
C497376:Food Allergy Herbal Formula-2; D010936:Plant Extracts