Injection of a traditional Chinese medicine herbal extract into a widely used acupuncture point may have an anti-inflammatory and immune-regulatory effect on bronchial allergic asthma, according to a new South Korean study.
The herb used in the study was perilla seed (Perillae fructus; or Zisu in Chinese; or Shiso in Japanese). Injection of the herbal extract into an acupuncture point (herbal acupuncture) is a therapeutic technique combining both acupuncture and herbal treatment.
The study was led by researchers at the Department of Acupuncture, College of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon University, South Korea.
Acupuncture and herbs are widely used to treat bronchial asthma - and according to TCM theory - by clearing the pathogenic factors and reinforcing the body's resistance.
An important acupoint, zusanli, was investigated by the researchers in the current study. Zusanli is one of the most widely used acupuncture points, particularly for immune system regulation.
