All 50 participants in a study regarding the effectiveness of Ayurvedic herbal supplements for 9/11 toxicity reported high incidence of alleviation of previously intractable symptoms, according to a report in the January/February 2008 issue of Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine (ATHM).

James Dahl, PhD, a senior research associate at the Phoenix House Foundation, and Katherine Dahl, MD, an assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at the Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, both in New York, conducted an in-treatment, Web-based survey with 50 World Trade Center rescue and recovery workers, volunteers, and area residents and workers who used Ayurvedic herbs for post-9/11 symptoms, including respiratory distress, fatigue, and depression.

Memory and concentration problems, cough, fatigue,

exhaustion, “not feeling well,” and depression were among those reported as “extremely serious.”

“Not feeling well,” was the leading symptom reported for which respondents found the Ayurvedic treatment extremely helpful. Difficulty breathing was rated second. Subjects also reported relief from cough, wheezing, concentration problems, and sleeping difficulties.

Almost 65 percent of the patients received conventional medical treatment for their symptoms, nearly 44 percent of which was conventional medication. Twenty-six percent received psychotherapy or counseling, and 13 percent took psychiatric medication.

The level of helpfulness of conventional medical treatments was rated significantly lower for each symptom, compared to results of herbal treatment.