Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a chronic inflammatory disease of rhino-ocular mucosa, affecting up to 40% of population worldwide. Chinese
herbal medicines and Acupuncture, adopted thousands of years in China, has good effect on
allergic rhinitis. This study evaluates the effects of
Moxibustion with Chinese herbal in treating patients with
allergic rhinitis over a 1-year follow-up. A randomized controlled trial was conducted in a sample of 355 participants recruited from Guangdong general hospital of China. After baseline measurements, participants were randomly assigned to treatment-group or control group. Treatment group received
Moxibustion with Chinese herbal. Control group received
Loratadine. The main outcomes, including symptom severity and quality of life were measured using the Allergic Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ). Both
moxibustion with Chinese herbal and
Loratadine improve nose symptoms such as stuffy/blocked,
sneezing,
runny nose, itchy nose, sore nose and post-nasal drip in patients with AR. Symptoms
fatigue,
loss of taste, afraid of cold/wind and cold limb were improved significantly in
moxibustion with Chinese herbal group. The mean quality of life scores decreased in both groups
after treatment. Compare to control group,
moxibustion with Chinese herbal is more effective than
Loratadine in improving the quality of life in patients with AR. The results show
moxibustion with Chinese herbal was effective to reduce symptoms and enhance quality of life in patients with
allergic rhinitis. It is a simple, convenient and economic
therapy for patients with AR. Further controlled trials of its effects in patients with
allergic rhinitis are recommended.