The possibilities of natural remedies in the treatment of acute cough in children

An acute cough that develops against the background of a respiratory viral infection is the most common symptom in childhood. It can significantly affect the quality of life of patients and their families. Currently, there is a growing interest in using natural remedies to treat this type of cough. To solve this problem, many medicines based on natural, including herbal raw materials, can be successfully used. The article demonstrates the possibilities of some natural remedies in the treatment of acute cough in children. Ivy leaf extract (Hedera helix L.) occupies a special place among such preparations. It has a very wide range of therapeutic effects, including expectorant, bronchospasmolytic, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. The medicinal product based on Hedera helix L. has proven efficacy and safety in childhood. Thus, a multicenter observational study involving 5,162 children who were prescribed a herbal medicine containing ivy leaf extract for the treatment of cough in acute respirato-ry diseases showed a pronounced positive therapeutic effect in the form of a decrease in the intensity and frequency of cough episodes, as well as high parental satisfaction with the treatment process. A meta-analysis of two double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trials in patients with acute respiratory tract infection who received dry ivy leaf extract for 7 days demonstrated an effective reduction in the severity of acute cough associated with acute respiratory viral infection and a significant acceleration of patient recovery. In the group receiving ivy leaf extract EA 575, the proportion of patients without cough was 18.1% at the end of treatment and 56.2% at the end of follow-up, compared with 9.3% and 25.6% for placebo, respectively.