The pharmacopoeia in Tradition Chinese Medicine (TCM) consists of three thousand herbs, and there are extensive amounts herbal formulas for whatever ails you from the TCM perspective.  As many over the counter medications that you see walking through the aisles of CVS or Walgreen’s, there are numerous formulas to not only decrease symptoms, many of the herbs in the formulas work to balance the body to decrease the root cause of the symptoms.  

Most of the herbal formulas are called patents, or tea pills.  They are named tea pills because they are herbal formulations that are the same ingredients that would be made into a tea for a medicinal purpose.  Traditionally herbs are rolled and then dried, in turn the name. 

TCM has herbal formulas for the common cold as well as the various stages.  For example, the initial stage when you potentially have a headache, a scratchy throat, and achy neck and shoulders, there are two formulas that treat this beginning stage of a cold virus; they are Yin Qiao, and Gan Mao Ling.  If a cold virus or pathogen does invade your system even further, you may start to present with more of a sore throat, congestion, or a runny nose, and possibly a fever.  Upon these presentations there are other formula that clears the heat out of the throat and they can help to reduce a fever.  One of these formulas is called Chuan Xin Lian.   If the virus gets affects the respiratory region and causes bronchitis, that involves a cough and or increased mucus in the lungs there are also formulas to help decrease the heat in the lungs, excess mucus, and wheezing

Therefore, not only can acupuncture strengthen your immune system, it can treat the symptoms of viruses.  These herbal formulas are extremely helpful to reduce the symptomatology of viruses, and in turn assist in reducing the duration of illness. 

In addition, there are several studies out of Chinese herbs used to treat pneumonia and Covid-19.  As early as January 29, 2020 the National TCM Rescue Team in China treated patients at the Jinyintan Hospital in Wuhan.(1)  Within five days, eight patients that were diagnosed with Covid-19 were discharged.  In addition, the National Administration of Chinese Medicine (NATCM) had a data from 214 patients with Covid-19 that were presenting with pneumonia, had a 90% response rate from using a formula called Qing Fei Pai Du Tang.(2)  There were additional studies done with that formula across ten provinces with significant decrease in coughing, fever, and recovery.

Overall, TCM has extensive history in the use of herbal formulas to treat allergies, insomnia, anxiety, depression, digestive issues, just to name a few.  TCM has a formula for most aliments that Western medicine treat, and they can often be used in conjunction with Western medications.  Although, of course always consult with your providers that you are under care with and always cross reference with your providers for any simultaneously use of herbal formulas with Western medications.

Getting plenty rest, eating well, and reducing stress levels keep you healthy and heightens your resilience.  Stay safe and healthy through cold and flu season by continuing to boost your immune system and detoxing your system on a daily basis.

Dr. Yvette Arellano, DOM, LMT

•  Hong -Zhi, D.U., H.O.U. Xiao-Ying, M.I.A.O. Yu-Huan, H.U.A.N. Bi-Sheng, and L.I.U. Da-Hui

“Traditional Chinese Medicine: an effective treatment for 2019 novel corona pneumonia (NCP).”

Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines 18, no. 3 (2020) 1-5

•  Zhao J, Tian SS, Yang J, Liu J, Zhang WD.  Investigating the mechanism of Qing-Fei-Pai-Du-Tang for the treatment of the Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia by network pharmacology.  Chin Herb Med. 2020: 1-7