Botanical dietary supplement (BDS) use appears to be associated with a lower likelihood of all-cause hospitalizations among adult patients with COPD, according to findings from a study. A study conducted by Dr Nan Huo, research fellow,  Department of Health Sciences Research at Mayo Clinic,  and his colleagues, found that administering BDS as complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) to COPD patients could help improve general health and quality of life. The researchers found that there is a 36 percent lower likelihood of self-reported all-cause hospitalization and 33 percent lower hemoglobin levels when compared with those who did not use BDS. Dr Huo, however, cautioned COPD patients that careful monitoring is essential in case of side effects and allergic reactions. She also insisted on the need for further research.