Chinese Herbal Paste May Prevent Exacerbations of COPD

A new study conducted by researchers in Beijing has suggested that a traditional Chinese herbal paste known as Xiao Chuan, or XCP, may help reduce winter exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The researchers enrolled 142 patients and randomized them to receive either XCP or a placebo paste. Both pastes were applied on the same back points four times during the eight-week period of July and August.
Patients were monitored for exacerbations from November through February. Adverse events were evaluated using the Chinese Herb Skin stimulation Classification.
The incidence of adverse events was two percent in treatment group, and all patients who experienced an adverse event recovered without intervention after stopping the medication. There were no adverse events in placebo group.