Chinese Covid Med

The COVID-19 pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has resulted in over 600 million cases and 6 million deaths worldwide as of October 2023.

With no definitive treatment yet available, both conventional Western medicine and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) have been widely used in an effort to prevent and treat this disease.

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What is Traditional Chinese Medicine?

TCM encompasses various practices such as herbal medicine, acupuncture, cupping, gua sha, moxibustion, and tui na massage. It has been used in China for thousands of years to treat different illnesses.TCM treatments are based on restoring balance between yin and yang energies in the body.

TCM for Prevention and Treatment of COVID-19

Since the beginning of the pandemic, China has been actively promoting TCM along with conventional medicine to combat COVID-19. According to a white paper from the Chinese government, over 90% of COVID-19 patients in China received TCM as part of their treatment [1].

The most commonly used TCM therapies for COVID-19 include:

Herbal formulas: Lianhua Qingwen capsule, Jinhua Qinggan granule, Xuebijing injection
Patent medicines: Lung Cleansing and Detoxifying decoction, Huashi Baidu formula, Xuanfei Baidu formula

TCM is believed to have the following benefits in COVID-19 [2,3]:

Alleviating symptoms like fever, fatigue, cough, shortness of breath
Decreasing inflammation and preventing cytokine storm
Inhibiting coronavirus replication
Improving lung function based on CT scan results
Shortening time to viral clearance on PCR tests
Shortening hospitalization duration
Reducing chances of developing severe illness

However, the World Health Organization has stated that there is lack of quality evidence for efficacy and safety of TCM for COVID-19 [4].

Key TCM Herbal Formulas for COVID-19

Lianhua Qingwen Capsule/Granule

One of the most widely used TCM products for COVID-19 has traditional herbs like forsythia, honeysuckle, mint, and licorice. Clinical trials showed it can shorten time for fever reduction and cough relief in COVID-19 patients [5].

Jinhua Qinggan Granule

This formula contains herbs like honeysuckle, forsythia, lily bulb, and rhizoma dryopteridis. Studies found it lowered body temperature faster and improved CT scan results in COVID-19 patients [6].

Xuebijing Injection

An intravenous formulation made from red peony root, safflower, salvia, Chinese angelica, and other herbs. Clinical evidence suggests it may regulate immune function and reduce inflammation in severe COVID-19 [7].

Risks and Limitations of Using TCM

While TCM has potential benefits, there are some risks and limitations to consider:

Lack of rigorously controlled clinical trials on safety and efficacy of TCM for COVID-19
Potential toxicity or side effects from TCM herbs and medicines
Interactions between TCM remedies and conventional medicines
Insufficient regulation and quality control of TCM products

The effectiveness and appropriate use of TCM for COVID-19 requires further high-quality scientific research. Patients should consult their physician before using TCM treatments.

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