The search is on to find volunteers to join new research into using herbal remedies to treat asthma.
In spite of the availability of effective drug-based treatments for asthma, many people with asthma continue to have symptoms and impaired quality of life, along with concerns about taking long-term drug treatment. Now, the Department of General Practice at the University of Aberdeen is embarking upon a study which will seek to establish the effectiveness of using a herbal remedy for treating asthma and to review how safe and effective such treatments are.
The new study being undertaken by the University will investigate how effective a particular mixture of plant- based product is in the treatment of asthma. The treatment is formulated as a capsule and contains a mixture of herbal extracts that have previously been sold in health-food shops as health supplements. There have been anecdotal reports that suggest this mixture may be helpful in asthma.
In the study, volunteers with asthma will be given the treatment or placebo in addition to their usual asthma medication and the effects on lung function and on symptoms are studied.
The study is taking place at the Aberdeen Community Clinical Research Unit (ACCRU) at Forresterhill Health Centre under the supervision of GP researchers from the Department of General Practice. Adults over 18 years of age with asthma who are interested in taking part in the study or would like further details, should contact ACCRU on: (01224) 552785.