Table 1 Randomized controled trials with herbal medicine in acute bronchitis

GeloMyrtol® forte (capsules)

Gillissen et al. [19]

2013

18-83 years

413

Mean change in coughing fits during daytime according to patient´s diary from day 0 to day 7–9.

The mean change in coughing fits from day 0 to day 7–9 was significantly higher for verum compared to placebo (p <0.0001) showing superiority. 7.9 % of verum treated patients showed AEs.

EPs 7630 * (drops)

Kamin et al. [22]

2012

1-18 years

220

Change in total score of bronchitis severity score (BSS) from day 0 to day 7

Decrease in BSS total score was significantly higher for verum compared to placebo (p <0.0001). 1.8 % of verum treated patients showed AEs.

EPs 7630 * (drops)

Kamin et al. [21]

2010

1-18 years

200

Change in total score of BSS from day 0 to day 7

Decrease in BSS total score was significantly higher for verum compared to placebo (p <0.0001). In 27.5 % of the patients AEs occured.

EPs 7630 * (film-coated tablets)

Kamin et al. [20]

2010

6-18 years

400

Dosage finding of EPs-7630 (30 mg, 60 mg, 90 mg) and change in BSS total score from day 0 to day 7 rated by investigator

Change in BSS total score significantly better in 60 mg and 90 mg compared to placebo showing superiority. There were no relevant differences between these two dosages. No superiority was shown for 30 mg compared to placebo. In 19.3 % of the patients AEs occurred.

EPs 7630* (film-coated tablets)

Matthys et al. [23]

2010

> 18 years

406

Dosage finding of EPs-7630 (30 mg, 60 mg, 90 mg) and change in BSS total score from day 0 to day 7

The differences in the change of BSS between all groups of verum treated patients and placebo treated patients was significant (p <0.0001). Inferiority of 60 mg compared to 30 mg. In 18.5 % of the patients AEs occurred.

EPs 7630* (drops)

Matthys and Funk [24]

2008

18-66 years

217*

Change in BSS from day 0 to day 7

BSS decreased significantly more in verum compared to placebo (p <0.0001). In 21.3 % of verum treated patients AEs occurred.

EPs 7630* (drops)

Matthys and Heger [25]

2007

> 18 years

205

Change in BSS from day 0 and day 7

The total score of BSS decreased from day 0 to day 7 with verum compared to placebo showing superiority. In 7.8 % of the patients AEs occurred.

EPs 7630* (drops?)

Chuchalin et al. [26]^**

2005

> 18 years

124

Change in BSS from baseline to day 7

The decrease in BSS showed a significant decrease of verum compared to placebo (p <0.0001). Adverse events occurred in 23 % of patients.

EPs 7630* (drops)

Matthys et al. [27]

2003

> 18 years

468

Change in BSS from baseline to day 7

The decrease in BSS showed a significant superiority of verum against placebo (p <0.0001). Adverse events occurred in 7.7 % of the patients.

Fixed combination of dry extracts of thyme herb and primrose root (film-coated tablets)

Kemmerich [17]

2007

18-85 years

361

Change in mean frequency of coughing fits during daytime at day 7–9 compared to baseline measured with a manual counter and recorded in a patient diary

The mean reduction in coughing fits on days 7–9 compared to baseline was significantly higher for verum compared to placebo (p <0.0001) showing superiority. Adverse events occurred in 1.7 % of the patients.

Fluid extract combination of thyme herb and ivy leaves (syrup)

Kemmerich et al. [18]

2006

18-87 years

361

Change in mean frequency of coughing fits during daytime at day 7–9 compared to baseline measured with a manual counter and recorded in a patient diary

The mean reduction in coughing fits on days 7–9 compared to baseline was significantly higher for verum compared to placebo (p <0.0001). Adverse events occurred in 4.1 % of the patients.

Fixed combination of thyme and primrose root (drops)

Gruenwald et al. [28]

2005

> 18 years

150

Change in BSS at day 7–9 (end of treatment) compared to baseline

Decrease of BSS was significantly higher for verum compared to placebo. Adverse events occurred in 4.7 % of the patients.