My minireview and remark "Traditional Chinese Medicine and Novel Coronavirus—Experiences, Lessons and Suggestions" was published today in the magazine " Chinese Medicine and Culture" sponsored by Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. I have been paying close attention to the occurrence and development of the COVID-19 epidemic since the very beginning, and I have tried many efforts, to leave evidence for evidence-based medicine, and to offer advice and suggestions for NIH, senators, etc. I achieved something, but mostly what I gained is frustration. As two major countries in the world, China and the United States have paid a great price for the new crown virus. Today, the pandemic of COVID is still overwhelming in China. To control/contain a virus pandemic, we must follow the laws of medicine. It is a good strategy for all associated parties to learn from each other's strengths and make up for their weaknesses, and open dialogue on what they don't understand, which is also my original intention for publishing this article. I hope that when a similar viral pandemic comes next time, we will be able to respond with more convincing evidence. I also need to clarify that, since I am currently working in the field of Chinese medicine, so this article talks about my views from the perspective of my profession, but all proven effective measures should be adopted to contain the virus. Academic controversies need to be reached a consensus as soon as possible, so as to benefit the health of everyone in this world. This is the abstract
Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) has now entered its third year as a worldwide pandemic. Unlike the Unites States, over 90% of patients have used traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in China combined with conventional western medicine. The present minireview/commentary summarizes the experiences of TCM in the treatment of COVID-19 combined with conventional western medicine, lessons from the United States and some additional insights. COVID-19 falls into the category of “dampness−toxin plague” and is divided into five stages: mild stage, moderate stage, severe stage, critical stage, and recovery stage. Clinical trials conducted in China have suggested that TCM treatment plays a significant role in alleviating clinical symptoms, decreasing the time of hospitalization, reducing the overall fatality rate, and providing other beneficial outcomes when combined with conventional western medicine. To date, TCM is not widely used in the American hospital system. Only one TCM clinical trial to treat mild to moderate COVID-19 has been registered with ClinicalTrials.gov. A suggestion of dialogues among associated parties is proposed. TCM has been used as part of an integrative medicine treatment paradigm combined with conventional western medicine for COVID-19 in China. As registered clinical trials combining conventional western medicine with TCM continue to be produced and show positive benefits, the possibilities for TCM integration into treatment protocols for COVID-19 will become more of a possibility in the United States.
Keywords: Acupuncture; COVID-19; Dialogue; Miscommunication; Traditional Chinese medicine
Reference:
Traditional Chinese Medicine and COVID-19: Experiences, Lessons, and Suggestions.