Herbal Medicine for Coronavirus

Before pharmaceutical medicines were introduced to China, Herbal Medicine had been used to fight disease, including epidemics, in China for thousands of years. Herbal medicine not only relieves the symptoms of bacterial and viral infections but most importantly Chinese Herbal Medicine, is based on the Chinese medical concept of strengthening the body’s resistance (immune system) to prevent the body from becoming infected. The effectiveness of Chinese Herbal Medicine was proved in the treatment of SARS in 2003, as well as in the Coronavirus crisis started in January 2020 [1] to regulate the production and release of proinflammatory cytokines, interfere with the development of the virus in host cells, and modify certain molecular pathways related to the RAA system [2].

Due to the critical and extensive morbidity of Coronavirus and the lack of consensus on treatment using allopathic medicine, we feel it is our responsibility to protect our communities by offering herbal medicine. We have synthesized experiences and evidence of utilizing herbal medicine for COVID-19 [3,4,5] and appointed Dr. Jifu Li, Professor of Chengdu TCM University and chief consultant of Sichuan Provincial TCM Hospital to make an “Anti-Viral Herbal Formula”. Dr. Li has formulated two herbal products to address this issue.

Formula One is based on the concept in Chinese medical philosophy which states that if “healthy energy exists inside the body, pathogens will not attack” and is specifically designed for the most susceptible people in the population, the elderly, children and people with low immune systems due to chronic disease. The formula strengthens the vital energy in the body to prevent the virus from taking hold [6].

Formula two is based on the principle in Chinese Medicine that all disease starts with high body temperature (Heat Conditions). It says “when Heat invades, it first upsets the Lungs (the respiratory system)”, so Formula Two is designed for people with coughs, fever, fatigue and breathlessness in the early stage of the infection. The herbal concoction in Formula Two not only resolves the symptoms but more importantly prevents the progression of the disease to the more severe stage [7].

Both Formula One and Two are made from pure Chinese herbs, boiled and strained, and sealed in plastic bags. For Formula One, it is recommended to take one pack twice a day, half an hour before food, for 6 days and have one day break before the following week, all together for 2 weeks. For Formula Two, take one pack 3 times a day two hours after food, for 6 days/week and altogether for 2 weeks.

Reference:

1. Rhea Veda Nugraha, et. al. Traditional Herbal Medicine Candidates as Complementary Treatments for COVID-19: A Review of Their Mechanisms, Pros and Cons. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2020 Oct; Article ID 2560645. doi: 10.1155/2020/2560645.
2. Demeke CA, Woldeyohanins AE, Kifle ZD. Herbal medicine use for the management of COVID-19: A review article. Metabol Open. 2021 Dec;12:100141. doi: 10.1016/j.metop.2021.100141. Epub 2021 Oct 16. PMID: 34693242; PMCID: PMC8519661.
3. Dandara C, Dzobo K, Chirikure S. COVID-19 pandemic and Africa: from the situation in Zimbabwe to a case for precision herbal medicine. Omics: a journal of integrative biology. 2021 Apr: 1;25(4):209-12. doi: 10.1089/omi.2020.0099
4. Al-Doori A, Ahmed D, Kadhom M, Yousif E. Herbal medicine as an alternative method to treat and prevent COVID-19. Baghdad Journal of Biochemistry and Applied Biological Sciences. 2021 Feb: 20;2(01):1-20. doi: 10.47419/bjbabs.v2i01.25.
5. Wanzhou H. Medical Herbs Inhibit Inflammation Directing T Cells to Kill the COVID-19 Virus (COVID). Retrieved Medical Herbs Inhibit Inflammation Directing T Cells to Kill the COVID-19 Virus (COVID) – Full Text View – ClinicalTrials.gov.
6. Kanika K, Sukhmeen KK, Ravdeep K, et.al. Herbal immune-boosters: Substantial warriors of pandemic Covid-19 battle. Phytomedicine. 2021 May; Volume 85:153361. doi: 10.1016/j.phymed.2020.153361.
7. Dâmaris S, Jose MP, Fabio B, et.al. COVID-19: Is There Evidence for the Use of Herbal Medicines as Adjuvant Symptomatic Therapy? Frontiers in Pharmacology. 2020 Sep; Sec. Ethnopharmacology. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2020.581840