An herbal remedy for COVID-19 created based on Chinese traditional medicine has received emergency authorization in Taiwan. But doctors trained in the Chinese medical tradition say that it isn’t suitable for everyone. They also say that for those who are well and just afraid of getting COVID-19, there are herbal alternatives.
NRICM 101 is a blend of ten herbs that’s been shown to help treat COVID-19 patients, and it’s just received emergency authorization for use in Taiwan. Herbal pharmacies and practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine—both mainstream parts of Taiwan’s medical system—can now prescribe it.
But doctors trained in traditional healing warn against rushing to buy it. Those whose bodies aren’t in the right state to take it could end up with diarrhea.
Doctor Chen Chao-tsung also says that only those with respiratory symptoms should take it. Those who are well but merely afraid they might catch COVID-19 should try something else instead.
For instance, those who live far from outbreak centers can try an immunity-boosting tonic primarily made of the herbs milk vetch, Saposhnikovia divaricata root, and the rhizome of large-headed atractylodes.
Those living near many infected people, meanwhile, can try something stronger, a disease-preventing tonic made with honeysuckles, prepared licorice root, and indigo woad root.