Chinese Herbal Medicine & COVID-19
This article discusses the benefits of Traditional Chinese Herbal Therapy for COVID-19 prevention, initial onset of symptoms, progression of symptoms and recovery. If you are interested in Traditional Chinese Herbal Therapy for COVID-19, the Stram Center is offering telemedicine consults only through May 4 to safeguard our patients and staff against COVID-19.
In order to receive Chinese Herbal Therapy telemedicine services, new and existing patients must sign an informed consent, which is available in our patient portal. Please contact us regarding next steps.
Please note: if you live outside of New York State and are seeking Traditional Chinese Herbal Therapy for COVID-19, we may not be able to treat you due to our current licensing, even if you are an existing patient. Please contact us with questions.
Chinese herbal medicine can be very helpful in prevention, treatment and recovery of the coronavirus as well as other health issues in the midst of this pandemic. In these unprecedented times, we are here to help within our means available, for us acupuncturists in the United States, these means are providing herbal medicine via virtual or phone consults. After reviewing up-to-date articles, lectures and videos from COVID-19 experienced doctors, we wanted to share with you our latest impressions from an integrative perspective.
According to Dr. Xing Xing Guo, a Traditional Chinese Medical (TCM) doctor in Wuhan, the epidemic has largely resolved in China (1). Amidst the epidemic, the Chinese government issued a manual on ‘Guidelines for treating COVID 19.’ This manual is now on its 7th edition, demonstrating the process of trouble-shooting and resolutions with which any healthcare community is presented when dealing with emerging diseases. The Wuhan Chinese doctors state that the earlier the disease is treated, the better, and that the inclusion of Chinese herbs yields more favorable outcomes.
It is fortunate that we have dedicated doctors and nurses at our clinics and hospitals treating patients and saving lives. It is also fortunate we have acupuncturists in the area that can recommend herbs to address the stages of COVID-19 disease, from prevention, through symptoms and on to recovery. Hospitals in China have both TCM and Western medical departments and both work together in treating patients. In the states, there is not this integration of approaches, so if you would like to use Chinese herbs in your treatment, contact your acupuncturist.
Not only have Chinese herbs been used for thousands of years, but have been at the forefront of previous epidemics throughout history and with good results. In fact, the large majority of all patients in China have used TCM in the treatment against COVID-19 by incorporating herbs, acupuncture, massage and dietary therapy (2). All of these treatments can contribute to the decrease in severity of symptoms and duration of illness and facilitate recovery time.
Most cases (80%) of COVID-19 are mild and don’t require hospitalization. Chinese herbal formulas are used based on the stage of illness which is determined by your acupuncturist:
- Prevention
- Initial onset of symptoms
- Progression of symptoms
- Recovery
At all stages of illness, acupuncturists make an individual assessment in order to diagnose the appropriate formula. Even though we all now know the main symptoms associated with COVID-19 of fever, cough and dyspnea, acupuncturists will ask many more detailed questions about how it is presenting for you which may include sore throat, head or body aches, chills, alternating fever & chills, sweating or not sweating, and more.
From a Chinese medical perspective, the difficulty breathing is coming from very thick and sticky mucus in the lungs that we refer to as dampness and phlegm. The herbs that are recommended currently are damp clearing herbs along with those that strengthen the body’s immunity. TCM formulas also include herbs that have been shown to be antiviral, antipyretic (fever reducing), antitussive (cough suppressing), bronchodilating & anti-asthmatic (opening airways), expectorating (resolving phlegm/dampness), antihistamine/anti-inflammatory, as well as nourishing in the recovery stage to further facilitate healing and improve energy (3).
According to Chinese medicine, the lungs are the body’s first line of defense and circulate what we refer to as ‘wei Qi’ (pronounced ‘way chee,’)or our protective energy. This acts like a shield, is located between the layers of the skin and muscles, and controls the opening and closing of the pores. In modern medicine, this is analogous to immunity. If this is strong, then we can ward off external pathogens like viruses more easily. The quality of the air we breathe, the food and drink we consume, and the sleep we get, as well as exercise, emotions & stress can strengthen or deplete the energy of the lungs. If the energy of the lungs is weak, this can lead to increased susceptibility to illness.
Herbs are prescribed in what we call formulas of anywhere from 2 to 20 single herbs that work together synergistically to support, potentiate and balance one another. One of the main formulas classically used for prevention is called “yu ping feng san” or jade windscreen powder. This includes the well-known immune supporting herb astragalus. Almost all herbal companies sold out of this when the coronavirus first began increasing in the US. We have an enhanced version of this at the Stram Center that also includes the medicinal mushrooms cordyceps and reishi that are known to strengthen immunity. For more information on these, see Dr. Diroma’s previous blog post: Protecting Your Body Against Viral Infection.
COVID-19 and SARS are mutations of the larger family of viruses called the coronavirus, and are 96% equivalent in structure. During the SARS epidemic in 2003, there were three studies conducted on medical staff treating infected patients which assessed the effectiveness of a preventative formula based on yu ping feng san and several other antiviral, lung protective herbs(4). In all three studies that included a few thousand participants, none of the subjects who had taken the preventative herbal formula contracted SARS. Whether these preventative formulas will have the same effect as they did on SARS, we do not know yet, but it is worth considering these to help strengthen the wei Qi and immune system as they have been used for thousands of years for this purpose.
Herbs can also be used for almost any other health concern you can think of, including anxiety and insomnia which may be exacerbated now during these difficult times.
FAQs about Chinese herbs:
Are the herbs safe? The herbs we source are all from reputable companies that follow strict manufacturing practices from growing, harvesting, processing and testing. Processes are used to assure safety, quality, and clinical efficacy including testing of soil, water, and of the herbs themselves for identity, pesticides, microbes, heavy metals and purity following standards set forth by the World Health Organization and the United States FDA. All of the herbs are plant & mineral-based.
What are the qualifications to prescribe? All TCM herbalists have a minimum master’s degree or doctorate in acupuncture and oriental medicine, maintain licensure in their state, and carry their own malpractice insurance. As part of our extensive clinical education, alongside TCM education, practitioners are trained in biochemistry, pathophysiology, and basic pharmacology, in addition to training in herb-drug interactions, contraindications, and possible side effects.
What is required to obtain herbs? A video or phone consultation would be scheduled. You must reside in New York state. Informed consent forms must be signed, this can be done through the patient portal. Patient health history intake will be taken. Pulse taking and tongue reading are normally a part of our diagnosis, so we may ask you to take a picture of your tongue to send which will be kept securely in our patient portal. Herbs can be picked up outside of the Stram Center by the end of the day, or mailed to you and payment must be received beforehand.
What is in the formula and how long is it taken? Your formula will consist of a combination of sometimes as few as 3 herbs, but more often up to 8-15 herbs. Formulas are composed of usually 2-3 chief herbs that target the illness, 2-3 assistant herbs that support the function of the chief herbs, 2-3 additional herbs to address specific symptoms, 1-2 herbs that decrease any possible toxicity, and other herbs that help harmonize the formula. In regards to COVID-19, the pathology shifts quickly and therefore the herbs must be tailored to the specific phase of the virus and will most likely need to be adjusted every 4-6 days with an end point once fully recovered. For other health concerns, herbs can be taken long term.
Are there side effects? Because of the way the formulas are composed there are very few side effects. Occasionally there may be slight digestive changes, which is sometimes desired. With phlegm in the lungs, it is important to be sure the bowels are moving and not constipated. One way to clear out this phlegm is through the stool. Another side effect may be an increase in energy that could possibly disrupt sleep, so taking the last dose earlier in the evening is sometimes best.
How are herbs taken? The herbs we have stocked at the Stram Center are in either capsule, tablet or liquid tincture form. Other forms of herbs may include a custom formula in a powdered form called granules that dissolves in warm water or the actual bulk raw herbs form. They all work, it just depends on which form you will be able to consume regularly or based on your need and our availability. Dosage is typically 2 times per day and depends on which stage of treatment you are at.
Other tips:
- Avoid dairy, sugar, unfermented soy and fried foods-- these are all phlegm producing and hard on the gut, similarly to how these foods aggravate diarrheal disorders by adding dampness to an already damp digestive system. In order to prevent excessive phlegm production and to keep immunity strong, it is essential to keep the gut as healthy as possible.
- Eat less processed foods and more whole foods including lots of fruits and vegetables, these have the essential vitamins and minerals needed to support immunity.
- Hydrate! Staying hydrated will help decrease the sticky phlegm that may accumulate in the lungs if you become ill. Try to drink lots of water and warm teas, as well as soups and broths, and avoid sugary juices, sodas and over caffeinating. And if you do become ill, try to consume warm fluids every hour.
- Exercise-- even if just walking, to get the heart rate up a bit and maybe sweat a bit to exercise the lungs themselves and diaphoretic action of the skin.
- Keep a regular sleep/wake cycle-- the more rested you are now, the better able you’ll be to deal with the virus if it sets in. Ask for herbs for sleep if you are having difficulty.
- Take deep breaths whenever you think of it-- anything done rhythmically naturally calms the mind, this will automatically bring you into the present moment, and will help oxygenate your lungs.
To schedule a Chinese herbal phone consult with Liza Pollock M.Ac.O.M., L.Ac. or Rebecca Rice DACM, L.Ac. call the Stram Center at (518) 689-2244. You may also set up a meeting via email: aculiza@gmail.com or RiceAcupuncture@gmail.com
Sources:
(1)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RtpQEadezxQ&featur...
Clinic Manual of Oriental Medicine 3rd Edition, Lotus Institute of Integrative Medicine.
(4)Lau J, Leung P, Wong E, Fong C, Cheng K, Zhang S, et al. “The use of an herbal formula by hospital care workers during the severe acute respiratory syndrome epidemic in Hong Kong to prevent severe acute respiratory” Journal of Alternate and Complementary Medicine 2005; 11:49-55;
Xu J, Jiang X et al “Clinical observation of Yinhua Yupingfeng decoction in preventing SARS . . .” Conference on the prevention and treatment of SARS in integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine . . . 2006; 158-159;
Zhang L, Chen B, Zeng H “Analysis of fangdu decoction on SARS and zero infection in hospital” Chinese Journal of Hospital Pharmacy 2005; 25:59-60.
https://www.elotus.org/promo-files/COVID-19_resources/Handbook_of_COVID_19_Prevention_en_Mobile.pdf
