COVID-19 Therapy with Traditional East Asian Phytotherapy: A Review

Whilst Western research for the COVID-19 crisis only covers vaccination, in East Asia herbal prescriptions are applied for therapy. In Japan, Maoto (Ephedrae herba 4 g, Armeniacae semen 4 g, Cinnamomi cortex 3 g, and Glycyrrhizae radix 2 g, JPXVII) is used based on clinical evidence for its effect on early phase influenza (also RNA virus) comparable to oseltamivir [ 1 ]. The Health Ministry of Thailand has approved Andrographis paniculata (Jap. Senshinren) extracts for treatment of COVID-19 [ 2 ]. Its combination with Maoto, Maoto-ka-senshinren (+4 g), seems most promising for the treatment of viral pandemics. In China, the official guideline for COVID-19 treatment contains TCM prescriptions. The first mentioned Qing-Fei-Pai-Du-Tang (Jap. Seihai-haidokuto) is quite complex (21 drugs). Later, Shufeng Jiedu Jiaonang (Bupleuri radix 8 g, Forsythiae fructus 8 g, Glycyrrhizae radix 4 g, Isatidis radix 8 g, Patriniae herba 8 g, Phragmitis rhizoma 6 g, Polygoni cuspidati rhizoma 10 g, Verbenae herba 8 g) also entered the national COVID-19 treatment guidelines based on its immuno-modulatory and anti-inflammatory effects on SARS-CoV2 pneumonia in pre-clinical studies [ 3 ]. Fufang Yuxingcao Heiji (Forsythiae fructus 0.6 g, Houttuyniae herba 6 g, Isatidis radix 1.5 g, Lonicerae flos 0.6 g, Scutellariae radix 1.5 g) first gained prominence during the 2002 SARS epidemic [ 4 ]. With no Western medicine available, Eastern Herbal Medicine offers the most promising curative COVID-19 treatment. Publication History Article published online: 13 December 2021 © 2021. Thieme. All rights reserved. Georg Thieme Verlag Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany