Reflections on the Application of Chinese Medicine During the Epidemic of COVID-19

Abstract

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has played an important role in the prevention and control of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and has received considerable attention from all sectors of society. In the current situation of the global outbreak, it is crucial to promote the global application of TCM. However, the pandemic has also exposed various problems affecting the widespread acceptance of TCM. In this review, we summarize efforts to prevent and control COVID-19 by TCM and provide strategic guidance on how to promote its practice in the context of public health emergencies by (1) completing the system for evaluating the clinical efficacy of TCM; (2) transforming decoctions into Chinese patent medicines; (3) encouraging low-threshold traditional rehabilitation therapy; (4) strengthening communication and cooperation with the media. The aim of these approaches is to improve the rigor of TCM research and its dissemination, sharing the antiepidemic experience of TCM to the world, as well as increase the engagement of and acceptance by the masses. In this manner, TCM will not only aid in preventing and controlling COVID-19 but can also provide tools for coping with future public health emergencies.

Keywords

• COVID-19
• TCM
• clinical trial
• public health emergency