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LETTERS: Saul R Berkovitz Ayurvedic herbal extract has evidence base cough syrup lacks BMJ 2008; 337: a1413 [Full text]

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Re: Paradoxical medicine

M Arfan Ikram, Sobia Ikram, M Kamran Ikram   (7 September 2008)

Re: Paradoxical medicine 7 September 2008
M Arfan Ikram, medical doctor Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, Sobia Ikram, M Kamran Ikram Send response to journal: Re: Re: Paradoxical medicine	We thank Dr Berkovitz for his interest in our article [1]. Triggered by this particular episode of the common cold and coupled by a paper referenced by Dr Berkovitz [2], we asked our mother about other herbal remedies she remembered. Apparently, our grandfather has left a whole compendium of Ayurvedic herbs and herbal mixtures (some standard, some personally titrated and developed) for use in various ailments. During our next visit to Pakistan, we very much look forward to going through his work and hope to gain further insights into these very interesting, yet simple, and possibly highly effective (!) cures. [1]Berkovitz, SR. Ayurvedic herbal extract has evidence base cough syrup lacks. BMJ 2008;337:a1413. [2]Coon JT, Ernst E. Andrographis paniculata in the treatment of upper respiratory tract infections: a systematic review of safety and efficacy. Planta Medica 2004;70:293-8. Competing interests: None declared