Chinese Herbal Medicine Helps Symptoms of COPD

chinese medicine for COPDIf you suffer from the common condition of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), you may experience symptoms like coughing, fatigue and frequent respiratory infections. You may also have breathing issues, including shortness of breath, trouble catching your breath or wheezing, according to the National Institutes of Health.

If you're looking for ways to treat these unpleasant symptoms of COPD, a traditional Chinese herbal paste known as Xiao Chuan, or XCP, may help, according to a new study conducted by researchers in Beijing. Prior research had found the paste decreased both the frequency of COPD symptoms, says study author Yongjun Bian, M.D., researcher in the respiratory department of Gunag’anmen Hospital in Beijing. “But this study is the first showing the effectiveness and safety of XCP in the prevention of COPD symptoms,” Bian says.

Xiao Chuan paste has been used in China for centuries to help patients with breathing disorders, including COPD and asthma. To treat symptoms of COPD and other breathing problems, practitioners apply the paste on specific acupuncture points located on the patient's back. “The herbs contained in XCP and natural remedies may have some immune regulation properties, which in turn may aid in their ability to prevent COPD symptoms,” Bian says.

To conduct the study, researchers enrolled 142 patients and assigned them to receive either XCP or a placebo paste. Both pastes were applied on the same points on the back four times during an eight-week period. “Treatment with XCP significantly reduced the frequency of symptoms compared with patients treated with placebo,” Bian says. “XCP patients experienced significant reductions in steroid use and episodes of shortness of breath, and XCP patients also reported an improved quality of life.”

In addition to COPD, Chinese herbal medicine is used to treat many health conditions, including:

  • Flu and the common cold
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Migraine headaches
  • Irritable bowel syndrome

If you suffer from any of these ailments, consider trying acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine to help alleviate your symptoms and improve your overall health and wellness.

Acupuncture & Massage College’s Community Clinic offers acupuncture, massage therapy and herbal medicine for the treatment of a wide range of health conditions as well as for overall wellness. To schedule an appointment call (305) 595-9500. For information about AMC’s Oriental Medicine and Massage Therapy programs you can email our admissions department.
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