A CONTROLLED CLINICAL-STUDY OF KANJANG MIXTURE IN THE TREATMENT OF UNCOMPLICATED UPPER RESPIRATORY-TRACT INFECTIONS

A randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled parallel group clinical trial was performed to investigate the therapeutic effect of Kanjang m ixture in the treatment of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infec tions (common cold). Sixty-six patients aged between 18 and 40 years p articipated. Medication was taken three times daily for a minimum of 5 days or a maximum of 10 days. The primary outcome measures were: the effect on coughing; quality of sleep; mucus discharge in the respirato ry tract; nasal congestion; and a global evaluation of the clinical si tuation and medication tolerability, Assessments were recorded by pati ents using visual analogue scales 2, 4 and 10 days after the start of treatment. Sixty patients completed the study according to the protoco l. The improvement in symptoms following treatment with Kanjang mixtur e was significantly better on the day 2 and 4 assessments compared wit h placebo, while the day 10 scores were not significantly different. T olerability of both treatments was excellent and no side-effects were reported in either of the two groups. Treatment with the herbal mixtur e Kangjang significantly eased the symptoms related to uncomplicated u pper respiratory tract infections. Combined with the excellent tolerab ility, Kangjang mixture can be an attractive alternative for the treat ment of such ailments. (C) 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.