Discussion on role of aromatic Chinese herbs in prevention and treatment of COVID-19 based on theory of traditional Chinese medicine / 中草药

ABSTRACT

Aromatic Chinese herbs has been used to prevent plague since ancient times, and traditional Chinese medicine has unique advantages in the prevention and treatment of epidemic disease. Corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is rampant, and the National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China issued guidelines which recommends integrated treatment plans of traditional Chinese and Western medicine. According to the traditional Chinese medicine treatment plan in the National COVID-19 Diagnosis and Treatment Plan (Trial Seventh Edition) of the National Health Commission, Chinese patent medicines or prescriptions containing more aromatic Chinese herbs are selected for prevention and treatment during the period of medical observation, clinical treatment and recovery of confirmed patients. Some local health committees or traditional Chinese medicine administrations also recommend a variety of other ways to use aromatic traditional Chinese herbs (external fumigation, moxibustion, wearing sachet, etc.) to prevent and cure COVID-19. The efficacy of "fragrance repels filth and reinforces vital qi" of aromatic Chinese herbs plays a positive role in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19. It has become a consensus to use aromatic Chinese herbs to interfere with the occurrence and development of COVID-19. The unique properties, chemical composition and action mechanism of aromatic Chinese herbs are worthy of extensive and in-depth experimental and clinical research, which can provide reference for the follow-up treatment of novel coronavirus and the development of corresponding drugs. Based on the theory of traditional Chinese medicine, this paper discusses the role of aromatic Chinese herbs in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19, and speculates the possible mechanism of its function, in order to provide a basis for attaching importance to the prevention and treatment of COVID-19.