Research

Statistical Study of the Herbal Treatment for Chronic Lung Diseases

In the summer of 2006, a statistical study was conducted by a Statistics graduate student from Stanford University to further understand the effectiveness of an herbal product in treating degenerative pulmonary diseases including Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Emphysema, Chronic Bronchitis, Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF), and Sarcoidosis.

Scope of the study:  A total of 1,721 patients who used Wei Laboratories’ Soup A, a Chinese herbal formula, were studied for their responses to the treatment.  The patients were divided into 2 groups.

• Group I included 957 patients who used a 3-day treatment
• Group II included 764 patients who continued the treatment for over 2 weeks

All patients were contacted via telephone with 2 random phone calls. All patients not reached in 2 phone calls were excluded from data analysis.

All patients were surveyed for FEV 1/ FEV6 levels, peak flow, oxygen saturation, symptom improvement, oxygen volume (liter/min), and ease of breathing on a scale of 1 (very difficult) to 10 (easy).

Results:

Groups	Patients Questioned	Patients Improved	Percentage Improved
I (3-day Treatment)	163	55	33%
II (over 2-week treatment)	400	306	77%

Research Findings on Selected Herbs Employed for Chronic Lung Diseases

Ganoderma Lucidum (Lingzhi/Reishi Mushroom)

Lucidum has approximately 400 different bioactive compounds with a number of pharmacological effects including immunomodulation, anti-atherosclerotic, anti-inflammatory, promoting sleep, antibacterial, antiviral, anti-fibrotic, hepatoprotective, antioxidative and radical-scavenging, anti-aging, and anti-ulcer properties (Sanodiya, Thakur and Baghel).

Radix Ophiopogonis (Maidong/ Dwarf Lilyturf Tuber)

Traditionally used for nourishing the lungs and promoting the production of mucus, Ophiopogonis improves the airway’s mucociliary clearance by improving the airway’s mucus secretion (Tai, Sun and O’Brien).

Radix Codonopsis (Dangshen/Tangshen)

Traditionally used for improving lung, kidney, and spleen function, Codonpsis has, among other chemicals, high concentrations of alpha-spinasterol (Wang, Zhao and Liu), which has anti-inflammatory properties that affect tissues lining the inner walls of the abdomen (Borges, Silva and Cordova).

Rhizoma Dioscoreae (Shanyao/Chinese Yam)

Traditionally used for supporting the spleen and stomach, promoting fluid secretion in the lungs, and strengthening the kidneys, extracts from Dioscoreae have been shown to prevent inflammation in both rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease rooted in the spleen (Kim, Kim and Kang), and the lungs (Han, Kwun and Kim).

Bulbus Lilii (Baihe/Lily Bulb)

Traditionally used to support lung structure and promote fluid secretion in the lungs, Lilii has been shown to increase the production of immune cells critical in the decomposition of necrotic tissue and tumors (Sun, Gao and Xiong).

Thallus Laminariae (Kunbu/Kelp)

Traditionally used for eliminating phlegm, softening hard masses, and dissolving lumps, Laminariae is applied to dissolve the scar tissue built up in the lungs (Yao, Zhang, and Chou).

American Ginseng

Traditionally having a wide array of applications, Ginseng has multiple beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system, including enhancing blood circulation (J.-H. Kim).

Note: Herbs are prepared in a special manner to maintain the nutrient content, and each herb has multiple medical attributes that are not included above but are factored into the treatment of chronic lung diseases.

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