Indication: Respiratory infections

Source: Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med, 2004;158:217-221.

Research: In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, re­searchers set out to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of a preparation containing echinacea, propolis and vitamin C (Chizukit) in the prevention of respiratory tract infections in children during a 12-week winter period. In the study, 430 children ages one to five years old were randomized to the herbal extract preparation (n=215) or a placebo elixir (n=215).

Results: Significant reductions of illness were seen in the Chizukit group in the number of illness episodes, number of episodes per child and number of days with fever per child. The total number of illness days and duration of individual episodes were also significantly lower in the Chizukit group. Researchers concluded that there was a preventive effect of the product containing echinacea, propolis and vitamin C on the incidence of respiratory tract infections.