Part Three in Our Coronavirus Series

Categories: Acupuncture , Chinese Medicine , Coronavirus , Current Events , Educational , Events , Garuda Health General News , Information , Natural Remedies , News , Updates

The Latest Information on COVID-19 and How Chinese Herbal Medicine Has Shown Promise As One of the Only Viable Treatments

Part 3 in a 3 Part Series

Mild to Moderate and Recovery Phases

Once a patient has moved into an active infectious stage and is showing signs and symptoms of coronavirus, such as fever and cough, they need to be moved onto herbs that are more effective at combating not only the virus itself, but treating the lung constriction, phlegm production, and fever.

In China they are using a formula called Qing Fei Pai Du Tang (translates to clear the lung and eliminate toxins decoction) that is comprised of several classical formulas that dilate the bronchioles, reduce fever, clear fluid and phlegm out of the lung, and help suppress cough.

The current head of the response team in China Zhang Boli released a study that showed a group who was given this formula recovered faster than those given just western medicine intervention and able to be discharged sooner, but more importantly none who were given the formula escalated into the severe or critical stages of disease.

Two constituents of this formula are unavailable in the US, however, Dr. Chen is working with the University of San Diego and they are starting a joint study on a similar formula to treat COVID-19 and have approval from the FDA to use ephedra, so there may be hope in the future to again be allowed to use this very important herb.

Other herbs that are shown to be promising for treatment are Jin Yin Hua or Lonicera, Lian Qiao or forsythia, Sang Ye or mulberry leaf, Ju Hua or chrysanthemum flower, Ban Lan Gen or Isatis Root, Da Qing Ye or Isatis leaf and Wu Bei Zi or Gallnut.

The first four interfere with virus’ ability to attach to those ACE2 receptor sites mentioned earlier, stopping them from entering our cells. Isatis root and leaf compound stop virus replication. Gallnut is unique in that it is one of the only found herbs that directly has the compounds that bind to the spikes that stick out of the virus and stop it from being able to bind to any cells.

It is interesting to note that all the herbs used in these formulas are put into two categories in Chinese Medicine of either release the exterior or clear heat. Release the exterior means herbs that have the ability to enter the upper respiratory tract, promote sweating, and try to eject the pathogen in the early stages of infections. Clear heat meaning clear inflammation and infection. For centuries, these herbs have been used for prevention, common cold/flus, and serious epidemics that ravaged China.

They have already been categorized by history’s best physicians for their uses and we are again seeing their usefulness and effectiveness today, as well as laboratory analyses that back up what doctors have claimed they have done since clinical practice began.

The other added bonus is the majority of these substances being used for centuries means we know their side effects are minimal. Whereas it is quite shocking to watch the hype for the drug chloroquine dominate American healthcare demands.

The drug may have some effectiveness against the virus but at an extremely high dosage, which always causes cardiac damage, which kills the patient faster if they have a virus that’s causing vascular damage. It’s the equivalent of saying the cure for bed bugs is lighting your house on fire.
Hopefully, the studies being conducted by Dr. Chen with USD will give us a strong study in English, since it seems to me American medical professionals refuse to acknowledge the studies being done elsewhere.

References:QingFeiPaiDuTang (in Chinese so use your Google browsers translate function): 

http://kns.cnki.net/kcms/detail/11.2166.R.20200217.1502.004.html

On various herbal compounds:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2095496420300157
https://www.pnas.org/content/101/27/10012
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0166354205001257
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC521800/

Recovery Stage:
This phase is often forgotten about when we hear the media storm about the virus and infection. Whether it is a mild or moderate case of the disease there is no treatment given and your body has to go through the process of overcoming the illness on its own.

This will leave some residual damage in the body. We know in severe cases when patients are sent home after making it off a ventilator that there is considerable damage to the integrity of the lung tissue. Vascular damage and fibrosis builds up in the lungs which is essentially like a scar left over from a cut you had, but because it’s throughout such vital tissue the recovering patient may have to live the rest of their life similar to someone who has COPD or severe asthma.

I also argue there is damage to liver cells as many pharmaceuticals and viral particles are filtered through the liver causing more vascular damage in that organ. There is also the problem with the heart working harder despite having reduced blood and oxygen flow due to the pulmonary circuit of the circulatory system being damaged.

This leads to worsening heart disease and a considerably decreased life expectancy or even quality of life expectancy. Bed rest as prescribed by the hospital is essentially allowing the body to do its best with minimal added stressors, but western medicine currently has no further treatment once you are discharged.

Again, Dr. Chen covers a formula that is undergoing clinical trials to show the effectiveness that Chinese Herbal Medicine has on the vascular system. In the mild to moderate patients the formula ShaShenMaiMenDongTang may be effective as it has been used historically to restore lung deficiency and those with symptoms of shortness of breath mixed with dry mouth, dry skin and fatigue.

For the severe patients a formula called FuZhengHuaYu is undergoing study starting February of this year that will analyze its ability to break up scar tissue and fibrosis. It utilizes herbs that in Chinese Medicine are used to break up blood stasis or areas where blood flood has halted or become stagnant like in vascular fibrosis. Its chief substance DanShen or salvia root is an herb I use in almost every case of heart/vascular disease as it is extremely potent in dilating the coronary artery, increasing blood perfusion into the coronary arteries to prevent ischemia, and has anticoagulant effects.

https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04279197

I am hopeful that the research will be listened to which will give Chinese Herbal Medicine a stronger recognition and standing in the medical community. In the meantime, however, I will continue practicing the medicine which I have already seen as effective and giving some form of treatment where there currently is none.

If you know someone who is sick or recovering please feel free to have them contact me and we can deliver herbs to them if they have an active infection or begin treating their recovery once they can move again.
If you have any questions always feel free to e-mail me at [email protected] or give us a call.

Take care everyone!
In Health,Jason Gauruder, RAc