Efficacy of Kantakari Avaleha in the management of bronchial asthma in children: A randomized controlled clinical trial

Background: Bronchial asthma is a chronic inflammatory condition of the lung airways resulting in episodic airflow obstruction. It is the most common chronic disease among children, ranking among the top 20 conditions worldwide for disability-adjusted life years in children. This highlights the need for traditional medicine in the long-term management of Asthma. Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of Kantakari Avaleha (KA) in the management of Tamaka Shwasa (bronchial asthma) in children. Materials and methods: The present study was open-labeled, randomized controlled clinical trial. A total of 104 patients of bronchial asthma were screened, out of which 100 patients were registered in the study. These patients were randomly allocated to either KA treated group A ( n = 50) or to Chitrakaharitaki Avaleha (CHA) treated control group B ( n = 50). Among them, 80 patients completed the trial along with follow-up, and 20 patients did not complete the trial. Results: After 8 weeks of treatment, use of KA (group A; n = 40) showed statistical significant improvement in most of the clinical features, Agni Bala (digestion power), peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), respiratory rate (RR), breath holding time, level of asthma control (LAC), asthma control test (ACT) and in asthma control questionnaire (ACQ). CHA (Group B; n = 40) showed significant improvement in all the clinical features, digestion power, PEFR, RR, LAC, ACT, and in ACQ. On comparison of the groups, significant difference was found in breathlessness ( P = 0.006) , cold ( P = 0.021) , difficulty in speaking ( P = 0.018) , ACT ( P = 0.034), and ACQ ( P = 0.003) (Group B was better than Group A). No any adverse reaction was observed during the study period. Conclusion: Chitrakaharitaki Avaleha is more effective than Kantakari Avaleha in managing bronchial asthma in children.