The role played by traditional Chinese medicine in preventing and treating COVID-19 in China

doi:10.1007/s11684-020-0801-x

Front. Med.

2020, Vol. 14

Issue (5) : 681-688 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11684-020-0801-x

COMMENTARY

The role played by traditional Chinese medicine in preventing and treating COVID-19 in China

Qingwei Li¹, Han Wang^1,², Xiuyang Li¹, Yujiao Zheng^1,³, Yu Wei^1,³, Pei Zhang¹, Qiyou Ding^1,³, Jiaran Lin^1,⁴, Shuang Tang^1,⁴, Yikun Zhao⁵, Linhua Zhao¹(

), Xiaolin Tong¹(

)

¹. Department of Endocrinology, Guang’anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100056, China
². Academic Inheritance Workstation of Academician Tong Xiaolin of Shenzhen Hospital of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen 518034, China
³. Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100019, China
⁴. Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100700, China
⁵. Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou 730000, China

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Abstract

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), an ancient system of alternative medicine, played an active role in the prevention and control of COVID-19 in China. It improved the clinical symptoms of patients, reduced the mortality rate, improved the recovery rate, and effectively relieved the operating pressure on the national medical system during critical conditions. In light of the current global pandemic, TCM-related measures might open up a new channel in the control of COVID-19 in other countries and regions. Here, we summarize the TCM-related measures that were widely used in China, including TCM guidelines, the Wuchang pattern, mobile cabin hospitals, integrated treatment of TCM and modern medicine for critical patients, and non-medicine therapy for convalescent patients, and describe how TCM effectively treated patients afflicted with the COVID-19. Effective TCM therapies could, therefore, be recommended and practiced based on the existing medical evidence from increased scientific studies.

Keywords traditional Chinese medicine COVID-19 Wuchang pattern mobile cabin hospital convalescent patients three formulae and three medicines

Corresponding Author(s): Linhua Zhao,Xiaolin Tong

Just Accepted Date: 09 June 2020 Online First Date: 10 July 2020 Issue Date: 12 October 2020

Cite this article:

Qingwei Li,Han Wang,Xiuyang Li, et al. The role played by traditional Chinese medicine in preventing and treating COVID-19 in China[J]. Front. Med., 2020, 14(5): 681-688.

URL:

https://academic.hep.com.cn/fmd/EN/10.1007/s11684-020-0801-x
https://academic.hep.com.cn/fmd/EN/Y2020/V14/I5/681

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