Skip to main content
Evidence-Based Supplement Research
Evidence-Based Supplement Research
Pillser
Search
Sign UpLog In

Herbal Medicines for Rhinosinusitis: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis.

  • 2023-01-07
  • Current allergy and asthma reports 23(2)
    • Minh Phuoc Hoang
    • Kachorn Seresirikachorn
    • Wirach Chitsuthipakorn
    • Kornkiat Snidvongs

Study Design

Type
Systematic Review
Population
six different rhinosinusitis populations (common cold, acute post-viral rhinosinusitis, chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyps, acute bacterial rhinosinusitis, chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps, and unclassified chronic rhinosinusitis)
Methods
Forty-seven randomized controlled trials evaluating 18 herbal medicines were included in the network meta-analysis; certainty of evidence assessed using GRADE

Purpose of review

To analyze and compare the effects of herbal medicines (HMs) for treating different forms of rhinosinusitis.

Recent findings

Forty-seven randomized controlled trials evaluating 18 HMs in six different rhinosinusitis populations were included in the network meta-analysis. Certainty of evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. For the common cold, Pelargonium sidoides offered the most beneficial effect on symptom improvement (moderate certainty of evidence). For acute post-viral rhinosinusitis, Cineole and Pelargonium sidoides were the most effective treatments for controlling symptoms (moderate certainty), while Spicae aetheroleum was most effective for health-related quality of life (HRQoL) improvement (moderate certainty). For chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyps (CRSsNP), Origanum vulgare was the most beneficial treatment for improving symptoms and HRQoL (low certainty). Evidence of HMs for acute bacterial rhinosinusitis, chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps, and unclassified chronic rhinosinusitis was restricted to a limited number of studies. Adverse events should be of concern in some HMs, such as Spicae aetheroleum or Mytorl. Several HMs improved patient-important outcomes, above minimal clinically important differences, in treating common cold, acute post-viral rhinosinusitis, and CRSsNP. Further studies with adequate sample sizes and long-term follow-ups are warranted to support the current evidence.

Trial registration number and date of registration

PROSPERO ID: CRD42022328265 May 10, 2022.

Research Insights

  • Geranium→Improved Symptom Control

    For acute post-viral rhinosinusitis, Cineole and Pelargonium sidoides were the most effective treatments for controlling symptoms (moderate certainty)

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
  • Geranium→Improved Symptom Score

    For chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyps (CRSsNP), Origanum vulgare was the most beneficial treatment for improving symptoms and HRQoL (low certainty).

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small
  • Oregano→Improved Health-related Quality of Life

    For chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyps (CRSsNP), Origanum vulgare was the most beneficial treatment for improving symptoms and HRQoL (low certainty).

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small
  • Oregano→Improved Symptom Score

    For chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyps (CRSsNP), Origanum vulgare was the most beneficial treatment for improving symptoms and HRQoL (low certainty).

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small
Back to top