New treatment for gastroesophageal reflux disease: Traditional medicine, Xiaochaihu decoction

Abstract

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has a high prevalence worldwide and limited therapeutic options. Modified Xiaochaihu decoction (MXD), a new therapy for GERD, is a well-designed study that minimizes bias of herb dose. Their research showed MXD had similar therapeutic effect to omeprazole in mildto- moderate GERD. One limitation of this study was that it lacked records of side effects and rescue medication. As a chronic disease with recurrent symptoms, GERD rehabilitation requires prolonged observation of the clinical course with MXD therapy.