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Research: SARRELL and co-workers,
Listed in Issue 91
Abstract
SARRELL and co-workers, Pediatric and Adolescent Ambulatory Community Clinic of the General Health Services, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel, have conducted a trial on naturopathic treatment for ear pain in children.
Background
The object of this study was to determine the efficacy and tolerability of naturopathic treatment of the ear pain commonly associated with otitis media, one of the most frequent diseases of early infancy.
Methodology
In this controlled double-blinded study, 171 children presenting with ear pain and diagnosed with otitis media were divided into four groups. All patients received ear drops to be taken 3 times daily. Group A received Herbal Extract drops (allium sativum, verbascum thapsus, calendula flores, hypericum perfoliatum, lavender, and vitamin E in olive oil). Group B received the same herbal drops with added topical anaesthetic. Group C received the herbal drops and also oral antibiotic. Group D received the topical anaesthetic drops with oral antibiotic. Ear pain was assessed over 3 days using a VAS and also a scale consisting of faces.
Results
All groups showed a significant improvement over 3 days. Patients on ear drops alone had a better response than those on additional antibiotics. Results were best in group A (only herbal drops) as compared to the other groups.
Conclusion
No evidence was found that systemic antibiotics improved treatment outcomes. It is therefore recommended, in line with American guidelines, that in cases of otitis media, the main target of treatment should be the alleviation of the ear pain. This study shows that herbal extracts can be used very well for this, and indeed they have been shown to fulfil all the necessary criteria for good topical medicines: in vitro bacteriostatic and bactericidal activity, immune stimulation, antioxidant activity, and anti-inflammatory action. It is therefore recommended that such medicines be prescribed in general practice.
References
Sarrell EM, Cohen HA, Kahan E. Naturopathic treatment for ear pain in children. Pediatrics 111 (5 pt 1): e574-579, May 2003.
Comment
These results indicate that the best results were obtained in the group receiving only herbal drops and that systemic antibiotics did not improve outcome. A very passionate plea for common sense, and one that is the more relevant in the face of the increasing problem of antibiotic resistance.
