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

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has a high prevalence worldwide. Li et al performed a well-designed study on the efficacy of modified Xiaochaihu decoction (MXD) for GERD, which showed that MXD is an optional therapy for GERD beyond proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). The herbal granule administration mode minimized the bias from traditional herbal formula in clinical trials. One limitation of that 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.

Automated summary

A well-designed study by Li et al showed that modified Xiaochaihu decoction (MXD) may be an alternative therapy for GERD beyond proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). However, the lack of records of side effects and rescue medication was a limitation, and further observation is needed for long-term GERD rehabilitation with MXD therapy.