Chinese herbs can match Tamiflu in flu treatment

Chinese herbal medicine can be as effective in the treatment of some flu symptoms as Tamiflu, research has shown. The findings have been published in Annals of Internal Medicine, a prestigious journal from the American College of Physicians.

Researchers compared a Chinese herbal medicine with oseltamivir, which is marketed as Tamiflu, on 410 patients who had been diagnosed with the H1N1 influenza virus.

To test the effectiveness, researchers looked at how quickly body temperature was brought down to 37 degrees Celsius or under. When patients were given either Tamiflu or the Chinese medicine, both treatments were effective: Tamiflu resolved fever within 20 hours, and the Chinese medicine resolved fever within 16 hours. When patients received Tamiflu in combination with the Chinese medicine, the improvement was significant, with fever resolution within 15 hours. This compares with untreated patients, where fever resolved in an average of 26 hours.

Those receiving the herbal treatment alone had less need for antibiotics: only 9.7% were given antibiotics, compared with 15.7% of those receiving Tamiflu alone.

Further details are available in the RCHM's press release.

The RCHM has linked up with TigerTime which is campaigning to save the wild tiger from extinction. We are very concerned that tiger parts, as well as rhino horn, are still being used in medicines in some countries.

In the UK , there are strict laws preventing the use of endangered species and we strongly support any moves to protect animals around the world. Find out more about TigerTime.

Pregnancy rates double with Chinese medicine

Women receiving Chinese herbal medicine are twice as likely to get pregnant than those receiving Western medical fertility treatment, according to new research.

Researchers at the University of Adelaide reviewed a range of studies which in total had involved 1,851 women aged from 18 to 45 years who had received treatment for infertility. They found Chinese herbal medicine achieved on average a 60% fertility rate, compared with 30% for standard Western medical drug treatment or IVF.

Read the RCHM's full press release here.

Javan rhinoceros in Vietnam extinct

The Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine is shocked and saddened to hear that the WWF has announced that the Javan rhinoceros in Vietnam is extinct. The RCHM strongly condemns the illegal trade in endangered species and has a strict policy prohibiting the use of any type of endangered species by any of our members. We do not consider rhino horn to be a medicinal ingredient, and herbal substitutes are readily available. In the UK , no animal or mineral products should be used in Chinese medicine. It is illegal to use animal or mineral products in unlicensed medicine and most herbal medicines come into this category. This issue is monitored by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (part of the Department of Health). The RCHM understands that rhino horn was removed from the Chinese medicine pharmacopeia in 1993; the pharmacopeia is administered by the Ministry of Health of the People's Republic of China.

Chinese medicine and endometriosis – new study published

A rigorous feasibility study, the first of its kind in the UK , looking at Chinese herbal medicine in the treatment of women with endometriosis has been completed.

Twenty-eight women with a diagnosis of endometriosis were treated at an NHS clinic in London or at a private clinic in Hove . They were given either a placebo or Chinese herbal medicine for 16 weeks. Those taking the herbal medicine reported relief in menstrual pain.

The trial was randomised, controlled and double-blinded. The results have been published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine (volume 17, Number 8, 2011, pp691-699).

For details, see the RCHM's press release.

Latest news - Chinese medicine benefits patients receiving chemotherapy for breast cancer

Chinese medicine can help support women who are being treated for breast cancer, according to new research published in the current issue of The Oncologist.

The study showed that capsules comprising 14 herbs helped to prevent anaemia and to maintain patients' immune systems whilst they were taking chemotherapy.

For more information see the RCHM's Press Release.

Chinese medicine helps relieve Parkinson's Disease symptoms

Chinese medicine can help relieve some of the symptoms of Parkinson's Disease, according to new published research.

Researchers studied the effect of a mixture comprising 14 Chinese herbs on patients. Volunteers who took the herbs for 13 weeks experienced better motor function and increased levels of physical activity than those given a placebo. They also slept better and had more fluent speech.

The findings have been published in the Parkinson's Disease Journal

The Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine is very encouraged by this published research which backs up our members' clinical experience that Chinese herbal medicine can benefit people with Parkinson's Disease. In the case of a serious illness such as this, an RCHM practitioner will liaise with the patient's other healthcare professionals.