Chinese Medicine for Treating Chronic Pharyngolaryngitis

A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial using a Chinese Medicine formula in treating Chronic pharyngolaryngitis. Subjects will be randomized into a treatment group or placebo group for 8 weeks, and then followed by an 8-week post-treatment visit.

Inclusion Criteria: * 18 years of age or above (Chinese subjects only); * Persistent symptoms of pharyngitis (sore throat, globus, dry throat, dry cough, throat irritation) for more than 3 weeks; * Determined to be the following Chinese medicine syndromes by Registered Chinese Medicine Practitioners (RCMPs): Wind-heat invading the upper-jiao, or phlegm heat or Yin deficiency; * Visual analog scale (VAS) score for pain ≥ 50 mm; * Numeric rating scale (NRS) ≥ 6; and * Be able to give voluntary written informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: * Known severe medical conditions, such as cardiovascular, liver or renal dysfunction, diabetes mellitus, cancers, cerebrovascular diseases, blood system diseases; * Concomitant use of steroids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), anticoagulants, and immunotherapy within the past week; * Impaired hematological profile and liver / renal function exceed the upper limit of the reference value by 2 times; * Known Allergic rhinitis; * Known Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD); * Known cancer or suspected cancer of throat/oesophagus; * Mechanical obstruction of the throat accountable for the symptoms; * Known alcohol and/or drug abuse; * Known allergic history to any Chinese herbal medicines; and * Subjects who are known pregnant or lactating.