Evaluation of a combination of a unani pharmacopeal preparation (itrifal ustukhudoos) with cloves (qaranfal) in allergic rhinitis - a preliminary clinical study.

Allergic Rhinitis is typically characterized by sneezing, rhinorrhoea, nasal obstruction, nasal, conjunctival & pharyngeal itching and lacrimation all occurring in a temporal relation to allergen exposure. The peak incidence of this disease occurs in childhood and adolescence, with most of the cases belonging to the atopic category.There is a high incidence of patients of allergic rhinitis attending the outdoor sections of Ajmal Khan Tibbiya College Hospital. Many of them are dissatisfied with conventional anti-histaminic drugs. An open study was carried out on 20 such patients aged between 15 to 50 years to evaluate the clinical efficacy of a unani pharmacopeal preparation [Itrifal ustukhudoos] added with cloves [qaranfal]. Preliminary clinical study showed promising results. The study is into the next phase in which a comparative double-blind trial is being conducted with this combination and Allegra (Fexofenadine hydrochloride).