Herbal medicine and pattern identification for treating COVID-19: a rapid review of guidelines

Abstract

a b s t r a c tBackground:: Coronavirus disease 2019 is pandemic and has caused illness to many people worldwide. This review aimed to summarize and analyze the herbal formulae provided by the guidelines for their pattern identifications (PIs) and compositions of herbs to treat patients with COVID-19. Methods:: We searched 7 data sources for eligible traditional medicine guidelines up to March 6, 2020 and found a total of 28 traditional medicine guidelines that provide treatment measures for COVID-19. Results:: Of the 28 guidelines, there were 26 government-issued Chinese guidelines and 2 Korean guidelines. After standardizing the terminology of the PIs and herbal formulae, there were 8 PIs and 23 herbal formulae for the mild stage, 11 PIs and 31 herbal formulae for the moderate stage, 8 PIs and 21 herbal formulae for the severe stage, and 6 PIs and 23 herbal formulae for the recovery stage in the Chinese guidelines. In the Korean guidelines, there were 4 PIs and 15 herbal formulae for the mild stage, 3 PIs and 3 herbal formulae for the severe stage, and 2 PIs and 2 herbal formulae for the recovery stage. In the frequency analysis of herbs, Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma was found to be the herb with the highest frequency of usage in the Chinese guidelines. Conclusion:: This review can be used as guidance for the traditional medicine treatment of COVID-19. Clinical evidence is needed in the future to evaluate the efficacy of traditional medicine.

The Food Systems in the Era of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic Crisis

“…This enzyme is vital for the replication of SARS-CoV and thus could be suggested as a potential treatment agent against SARS-CoV-2 and supportive care agent for patients with COVID-19 [22]. The guidelines and the herbal formulas used for the supportive care of patients with COVID-19 were revised by Ang et al [23]. However, the potential preventive effect of these formulas should be confirmed with rigorous and prospective clinical studies [21].…”

An Update on Current Therapeutic Drugs Treating COVID-19

“…Historically, traditional herbal medicines have been used in the past to control and to treat epidemic outbreaks [155] including the past epidemic outbreaks, such as SARS and H1N1 influenza [156,157]. To date, China and South Korea have issued traditional medicinal treatment guidelines on the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 [158]. It is reported that greater than 85% of SARS-CoV-2-infected patients in China had received some forms of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) treatments [159].…”

Herbal medicine for treatment of children diagnosed with COVID-19: A review of guidelines

“…In particular, the frequently used herbs in the recommended herbal formulae for the treatment of pediatric COVID-19 lack diversity compared to the adults [22]. In the recommendations on adult treatment for COVID-19, the herb Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma was the herb with the highest frequency of usage [22]. This might be due to the difference in the spectrum of diseases between the children and the adults.…”