Herbal Treatment

How to Use Chinese Herbs Protecting Against COVID-19?

In TCM understanding, “toxic dampness” is the core pathology of COVID-19; the SARS-Cov-2 virus is only a triggering factor, unbalanced or internal disharmony of the body is the root for its development. Since COVID-19 is highly infectious, and people infected with COIVD-19 likely have mild symptoms and even are asymptomatic, prevention becomes critical. There is a TCM saying, “if the body is fully of healthy energy, exogenous pathogens cannot disturb it.” One of the main focuses in COVID prevention is to improve sub-health state, preserve our own healthy energy, and enhance immunity.

In TCM experiences, a tendency of lung or spleen deficiency are susceptible to COVID-19, people with this subhealth state usually have problems like paleness, fatigue, limb heaviness, poor appetite, breath shortness, poor digestion, and swelling. Moreover, the body’s defense, self-regulating and repair abilities are interpreted as healthy energy (vital force circulate throughout the body), so those with a low immunity should do something. Qi herbs are commonly used for immune enhancing purpose.

It is a routine for Chinese medicine to apply remedies for disease prevention. A wide range of herbs are selected for this propose, they will be carefully combined in quality and quantity, that targeted on people in different geographic locations, age, health conditions, seasonal or climate changes etc. Samples of herbal formulae that suitable for COVID-19 prevention and specific health needs are below:

Targets	Therapeutic Principles	Herbal Formulae
General people	Replenish qi, strengthen superficies, clear heat and relieve toxicity	Astragalus root (12g), largehead atractylodes rhizome (9g), ledebouriella root (6g), dandelion (12g)
Pregnancy	Regulate qi, soothe fetus, support body resistance and strengthen superficies	Astragalus root (9g), largehead atractylodes rhizome (6g), ledebouriella root (6g), baical skullcap root (6g), dried tangerine peel (6g), perilla stem (6g)
Children	Replenish qi, strengthen superficies, clear heat and relieve toxicity	Astragalus root (6g), largehead atractylodes rhizome (3g), ledebouriella root (3g), honeysuckle flower (6g), weeping forsythia capsule (3g), dried tangerine peel (3g), liquorice root (1.5g)
Healthy older people	Replenish qi, invigorate spleen, nourish yin and moisten lungs	Pilose asiabell root (10g), poria (15g), dried tangerine peel (9g), largehead atractylodes rhizome (6g), stragalus root (12g), ledebouriella root (6g), lily bulb (6g)
Chronic respiratory conditions	Replenish qi, invigorate spleen, clear heat and strengthen superficies	Astragalus root (12g), largehead atractylodes rhizome (12g), ledebouriella root (6g), baical skullcap root (9g), honeysuckle flower (12g), weeping forsythia capsule (6g), liquorice root (6g)
Diabetes	Nourish yin, strengthen superficies, clear heat and promote fluid production	Astragalus root (12g), ledebouriella root (9g), honeysuckle flower (12g), coastal glehnia root (10g), dwarf lilyturf tuber (15g), reed rhizome (15g)
Hypertension	Clear heat, nourish yin, pacify liver, and strengthen superficies	Astragalus root (9g), ledebouriella root (9g), chrysanthemum (15g), white peony root (9g), tall gastrodia tuber (12g)
Coronary heart disease	Replenish qi, strengthen superficies, nourish yin, and resume material basis of body	Astragalus root (9g), largehead atractylodes rhizome (6g), ledebouriella root (6g), pilose asiabell root (12g), dwarf lilyturf tuber (9g), schisandra (3g), rhodiola (9g)
Frontline workers or close contacts	Replenish qi, strengthen superficies, and promote body balance	Astragalus root (12g), largehead atractylodes rhizome (10g), ledebouriella root (6g), honeysuckle flower (15g), weeping forsythia capsule (6g), liquorice root (3g)

Preparation and taking method

Soak in appropriate amount of water for 20 minutes first, cook for 10 minutes to bring a boil and then simmer for 20 minutes, the finished solution should be about 300ml for adult and 50~100ml for children. The solution is divided into 3 portions, which are taken one hour after breakfast, lunch and dinner. It is suggested to do this for 5 days.

Precautions

For a better result, always consult a physician before taking any herbal remedy. Even for a healthy adult, one single formula can’t be used for all times. For example, if it is during hot summer and in Southern China, extra herbs such as fortune eupatorium herb (pei lan), agastache (guang huo xiang) and atractylodes rhizome (cang zhu) might be added to resist external humid influence; if there is a high viral exposure in the community, extra anti-virus herbs such as heartleaf houttuymia herb (yu xing cao) and dyers woad leaf (da qing yi) might be added, otherwise the dose of some herbs should be modified.
When taking the herbal remedies, cut down on raw, frozen, spicy and greasy foods, avoid concentrated coffee or tea, smoking and alcohol.
If you are allergic type or have allergic history, then you should be cautious with these herbal remedies.

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How to Use Chinese Herbs Protecting Against COVID-19?

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How to Use Chinese Herbs Protecting Against COVID-19?

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