IMPROVEMENT IN SEASONAL RESPIRATORY ALLERGY WITH MAHARISHI AMRIT KALASH 5, AN AYURVEDIC HERBAL IMMUNOMODULATOR

Institute for Ayurvedic Studies and Department of Physiological and Biological Sciences, Maharishi International University, Fairfield, IA 52556; Maharishi Ayurveda Health Center, Lancaster, MA 01523

• Methods: A double-blind, randomized, placebo controlled trial of an Ayurvedic Herbal immunomodulator, Maharishi Amrit Kalash 5, was carried out to determine its effectiveness in the management of seasonal respiratory allergy (hayfever). A daily symptom dairy commonly used in in allergy research protocols was used to measure allergy symptoms and use of conventional anti-allergy medications. Forty six subjects were pair-matched for sex, age, and severity of symptoms during a one week baseline period in mid-May at the beginning of the grass pollen season in southeast Iowa. Following randomization into placebo and experimental groups, subjects took their assigned tablets twice daily, while continuing to record their symptoms and medication usage during a one month period. 
• Results: One tailed t-test on log symptom scores revealed significant differences during three or four experimental weeks, with lower mean allergy symptom scores in the group receiving Maharishi Amrit Kalash during all four weeks of the study. (week 1: p=0.14, week 2: p=0.097, week 3: p=0.025, week 4: p=0.025).  There were no differences at baseline (p=115). The most significant mean differences between pairs occurred during the 1st week, during which both the highest pollen counts and greatest symprom severity were recorded. 
• Conclusions: MAK 5, a known immunomodulator, appears to decrease the symptoms of seasonal respiratory allergy. 

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