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Propolis nasal spray effectively improves recovery from infectious acute rhinitis and common cold symptoms in
1Pediatric Service Primary Care, La Marina Primary Care Center, Barcelona, Spain.
Insights
Propolis nasal spray significantly reduced symptoms in children with acute rhinitis (AR) and common cold. This natural treatment offers an effective alternative for symptom relief and improved quality of life without adverse events.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Pediatrics
- Natural Medicine
Background:
- Current acute rhinitis (AR) treatments are symptomatic with no consensus on controlling disease progression.
- Propolis extract shows potential as a natural AR treatment, but requires further clinical validation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of propolis nasal spray in children with infectious AR and common cold symptoms.
- To assess changes in symptom intensity, subjective improvement, and quality of life (QoL) following propolis treatment.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, multicenter epidemiological study involving 40 children aged 2-12 years with AR and common cold symptoms.
- A 7-day treatment regimen using propolis nasal spray (3 times daily).
- Symptom intensity was measured using Jackson's scoring test, comparing baseline and day 7 assessments.
Main Results:
- Significant reduction in overall symptom scores (p<0.0001) and individual AR symptoms (p<0.01) after 7 days.
- Complete symptom resolution occurred by day 7, with symptom onset of resolution around day 4.
- No need for supplementary treatments and no adverse events were reported.
Conclusions:
- Propolis nasal spray is an effective and safe treatment for infectious acute rhinitis and common cold symptoms in children.
- It significantly improves symptom recovery and enhances patients' quality of life.
- Propolis nasal spray presents an optimal alternative treatment option without the need for adjuvant therapies.
Abstract:
Currently, treatment for acute rhinitis (AR) is symptomatic but no clear agreement exists to control its development. Propolis extract may appear as a promising natural treatment for AR, but its beneficial effects have not yet been fully tested. Forty children suffering from AR and common cold symptoms aged between 2-12 years were enrolled in a prospective epidemiological multicentre study. A 7-day treatment with propolis nasal spray (3 times/day) was applied and a comparison of symptomatology, subjective global improvement and quality of life (QoL) between baseline (day 1) and final (day 7) visits were performed. The main goal was to evaluate the changes in symptom intensity using the Jacksons scoring test. After 7 days of treatment there was a significant decrease of symptoms both in the total score (p less than 0.0001) and in regard to each AR symptom (p less than 0.01). On the whole, the sample reported no symptoms by day 7, and the resolution of symptoms occurred approximately at day 4. Furthermore, there was no need for supplementary treatment. Both the subjective global improvement impression and the QoL of patients appeared to significantly improve after treatment. No adverse events (AEs) were found globally. It can be concluded that propolis nasal spray effectively improves recovery from infectious AR and common cold symptoms in children and is an optimal alternative in the treatment of this disease without need for any adjuvant treatment.
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