By Wang Junping
When the novel coronavirus pneumonia continues to spread around the globe, traditional Chinese
medicine (TCM) is gaining huge popularity for the wonders it has created for China’s COVID-19
control achievements.
The prevention and control of new contagious diseases is a war without gunfire. Every time when
human beings are confronted with these illnesses, such as SARS, the Influenza A virus and Ebola,
they face a “meeting engagement,” as it takes time to develop vaccines and specific antiviral
drugs.
The COVID-19 pandemic is also posing similar challenges. However, TCM has been proved
effective against the disease, including the Chinese patent medicines Jinhua Qinggan Granule,
Lianhua Qingwen Capsule (Granule), Shufeng Jiedu Capsule (Granule), as well as Qingfei Paidu
Decoction, Huashi Baidu Formula and Xuanfei BaiDu Granule.
According to statistics, over 70,000 COVID-19 patients in China have been given some forms of
TCM, accounting for 91.5 percent of the total, and TCM has been proved to be effective for over
90 percent of the cases in clinical use.
TCM pursues integration and harmony, and that’s why it is able to resist new contagious diseases.
For instance, the Qingfei Paidu Decoction “expels” the virus rather than “killing” it, so it takes
effects in the newly emerging pandemic. By clearing the heat, damp and toxin, TCM can alter the
living environment for the virus, thus containing the latter’s vitality and improving the immunity
of the patients.
The traditional medicine branch from China is always able to strengthen the immune system and
eliminate pathogenic factors. It played a vital role in the battle against COVID-19 this time. The
regions that adopted TCM treatment at an early phase and in a massive manner saw relatively
lower mortality rate. Facts prove that TCM is a sharp weapon against the novel coronavirus.
Viruses respect no border and the pandemic knows no ethnicity. It’s particularly urgent and
important to build a community with a shared future for mankind in coping with the global public
health emergency. To have the TCM benefit the world indicates China’s responsibility as a major
country, as well as the cultural confidence of the Chinese nation.
China has conducted timely cooperation with the WHO, shared its own experience in treating the
disease with TCM, and continually translated the latest diagnosis and treatment protocols for
COVID-19 into English and published them on the website of the National Administration of
Traditional Chinese Medicine. Besides, relevant Chinese departments and organizations have also
donated Chinese patent medicines, herbal pieces in decoction, and acupuncture needles to over 10
countries and regions including Italy and France.
TCM is a treasure of the Chinese civilization, and is competent to contribute Chinese wisdom and
schemes to the global fight against COVID-19.
The traditional medicine branch is gaining more and more recognition from the world. Last May,
the 72nd World Health Assembly adopted the eleventh revision of the International Statistical
Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-11), incorporating traditional
medicine originating from the TCM for the first time.
However, the TCM is still misunderstood due to cultural differences. During the COVID-19
pandemic, patients are advised to take medicines under the guidance of TCM doctors so as to
avoid adverse reactions. Though the TCM has been spread to over 200 countries and regions,
TCM products are still not considered as medicine in some developed countries. Under the
proposal to construct a Health Silk Road with other countries and enhancing cooperation on
traditional medicine, the TCM is expected to play a larger role and bring peoples closer.
The TCM carries the health philosophies and practices of the Chinese nation accumulated in the
past thousands of years, and concentrates the broad wisdom of the Chinese people and nation. To
cope with global health challenges, promote international health cooperation and improve global
public health governance, the TCM will surely release infinite potential and play a unique and
important role.
