What Herbal Products are Helpful to COVID-19?
Proprietary Chinese medicines have been used for centuries in TCM. Unlike raw herbs that are prescribed variable by clinical physicians, these herbal products are in fixed combinations, manufactured from traditional prescriptions that had been well established for various health purposes with outstanding efficacy. Since they are produced according to Chinese medicine theory and targeted for individuals with defined disharmony patterns, they are not suitable for all individuals. It is important to read carefully about the information on the product labels, fully understand the indications and precautions before taking.
During COVID pandemic period, some herbal products are beneficial for prevention, symptom relief, and recovery:
1. Prevention (suggest for close contacts and frontline workers)
2. Asymptomatic, mild or moderate COVID-19
www.coronavirus.gov.hk/pdf/pcm_covid.pdf
3. COVID Recovery
Please noted that the above Proprietary Chinese Medicines (pCms) are marketed and registered according to the Chinese Medicine Ordinance, which has different requirements in different places. They may also be packed in different commercial names and preparation forms too. Find a reputable brand, read the label carefully and pay attention to details like indications, taking method as well as precaution.
General advice on taking Proprietary Chinese Medicines (pCms)
During COVID pandemic period, some herbal products are beneficial for prevention, symptom relief, and recovery:
1. Prevention (suggest for close contacts and frontline workers)
| Proprietary Chinese Medicines | Health benefits to body | Indications |
|
Jade Screen Powder |
Replenish qi, and strengthen superficies | Weak individuals especially those tend to sweat, catch cold or flu easily |
|
Zhenqi Fuzheng Granule |
Replenish qi, and support body resistance | Individuals with a low immunity |
2. Asymptomatic, mild or moderate COVID-19
| Proprietary Chinese Medicines | Health benefits to body | Indicated disharmony patterns | Remarks |
|
Jinhua Qinggan Granule 金花清感顆粒 |
Disperse wind, promote lung functioning, clear heat and relieve toxicity | Fever, mild chills, sore or red throat, stuffy or runny nose, cough with or without phlegm, feeling thirsty | Medical observation period that has fatigue and fever are suitable |
|
Lianhua Qingwen Capsule/Granule 連花清瘟膠囊/顆粒 |
Clear pestilent influences, relieve toxicity, promote lung functioning and purge heat | Fever, chills, muscle aching, stuffy or runny nose, cough, headache, sore or dry throat, yellow tongue coating | Medical observation period that has fatigue and fever are suitable |
|
Huoxiang Zhengqi Tablet/Oral Solution/Capsule 藿香正氣片/口服液/膠囊 |
Release exterior body, disperse cold, resolve dampness and harmonize the spleen and stomach | Fever, chills, headache, general heaviness, chest stuffiness, discomfort in the gastric or abdominal region, nausea or diarrhea, thick white tongue coating | Medical observation period that has fatigue and gastrointestinal upset are suitable |
|
Shufeng Jiedu Capsule 疏風解毒膠囊 |
Disperse wind, clear heat, relieve toxicity and soothe throat | Fever, aversion to wind blowing, sore throat, headache, thick nasal discharges, and cough | Medical observation period that has fatigue and sore throat are suitable |
|
Yinqiao Jiedu Tablet 銀翹解毒片 |
Disperse wind, release exterior body, clear heat, and relieve toxicity | Fever, headache, cough, mouth dryness, sore throat | NOT indicated for those with obvious chills and profuse thin nasal discharges |
|
Ganmao Qingre Granule 感冒清熱沖劑 |
Disperse wind and cold, release exterior body and clear heat | Feeling chills heavily, sensitive to low temperatures, sneezing, cough, profuse thin nasal discharges, headache, body aching | NOT indicated for those with sore throat and stuffy nose with thick discharges |
|
Chaige Jieji Tang 柴葛解肌湯 |
Release muscles and clear heat | The chill feeling has lessened, but fever becomes heavier, there are also headache, eye pain, nasal dryness, annoying, poor sleep, itchy throat and even ear discomfort | NOT indicated for early stage of flu like conditions and those have constipation |
|
Xuanfei Lifei Wan 通宣理肺丸 |
Release exterior body, disperse cold, promote lung functioning and stop cough | Cough, fever, chills, stuffy nose, headache, body aching | NOT indicate for those with sore and red throat, productive cough with thick phlegm |
3. COVID Recovery
| Proprietary Chinese Medicines | Health benefits to body | Indicated disharmony patterns | Remarks |
|
Chuanbei Pipa Syrup |
Nourish lung, regulate airways, soothe throat, and arrest cough | Persistent dry cough, chest pain, sore and itchy throat, nasal dryness, hoarseness | NOT indicated for cough with profuse mucus |
|
Pulse-activating Powder |
Replenish qi, promote fluid production, check yin and arrest sweating | Mouth dryness, sweating, breath shortness, fatigue and dry cough | NOT indicated for still have fever, chills or productive cough |
|
American Ginseng Capsule |
Replenish qi, nourish yin, clear fire and promote body fluid production | Persistent cough, paleness, dry mouth and throat, fatigue, feverish sensation in the afternoon, annoying | NOT indicated for those still with productive cough, and flu signs |
|
Xiangsha Liujun Wan |
Replenish qi, invigorate spleen and harmonize stomach | Indigestion, belching, low appetite, bloating, loose bowels, and fatigue | NOT indicated for those with mouth dryness and constipation |
|
Buzhong Yiqi Wan |
Replenish qi, invigorate spleen and stomach | Fatigue, muscle weakness, breath shortness, paleness, sweating, poor appetite, abdominal distention, loose bowels or persistent diarrhea, even anal prolapse | NOT indicated for those still have fever or chills; also pass yellowish urine and night sweats |
|
Jaiwei Xiaoyao Wan |
Soothe liver, clear heat, invigorate spleen and nourish blood | Insomnia, anxiety or depressive mood, headache, dry eyes, red cheeks, fatigue, night sweats, mouth dryness, rib side discomfort, indigestion, distention in lower abdomen, irregular menstruation or hot urination | |
|
Ganmai Dazao Tang |
Invigorate heart and calm down mind, regulate qi movement | Absent-mindedness, depressive mood, annoying, indecisive, restless sleep, yawning frequently |
Please noted that the above Proprietary Chinese Medicines (pCms) are marketed and registered according to the Chinese Medicine Ordinance, which has different requirements in different places. They may also be packed in different commercial names and preparation forms too. Find a reputable brand, read the label carefully and pay attention to details like indications, taking method as well as precaution.
General advice on taking Proprietary Chinese Medicines (pCms)
- For the dose and taking method, always follow the instructions on the label.
- To avoid drug interactions, it is advised to make a 4-hour interval between your usual medications and Chinese herbal products.
- Since each herbal product already contains many different ingredients, it is advised to take one product a time. This can avoid overdose and unnecessary influences on the therapeutic results.
- It is important to buy from reputable sources and understand what you purchased clearly. As this kind of traditional products are available in many preparations, which can affect their reacting time and efficacy. For example, the Huoxiang Zhengqi product are available for an oral solution form, which helps relieve the gastrointestinal upset quicker, however it has a bad taste and contains alcohol.
- Pregnancy, kids and those with allergy, underlying diseases and G6PD deficiency should be cautious, always consult a professional.
- Once the symptoms are relieved or get worse, stop taking the product immediately. This is also necessary if you don’t feel improvement after one month.
- When taking Chinese herbal products, keep a light diet and cut down on raw, frozen, greasy and heavy smell foods.
