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Covid-19 and Traditional Chinese Medicine

Kaitlan Downes, MSAOM, L.AC

Chinese Herbs and COVID-19: A Natural Way to Improve Symptoms and Immunity

While the fearful frenzy of the pandemic may feel behind us. But, COVID and other viruses still threaten our well-being, and millions of people are struggling with the effects of long COVID.

If the pandemic taught us anything, it was how important having a robust health and a strong immune system is. So, what can we do in this post-pandemic era to build up our defenses for the future? A simple strategy lies in Chinese herbal medicine.

Chinese herbal remedies offer a natural approach to not only boost immunity but also help manage acute symptoms and support recovery from lingering effects. Let’s explore how we can harness the power of these ancient remedies to enhance our health and resilience.

How Has Chinese Medicine Been Used to Treat COVID-19?

Chinese medicine has a rich history of treating viral and respiratory diseases. While records of early treatments date back thousands of years, Traditional Chinese Medicine has been used more recently to successfully prevent and treat SARS in 2003. Again in 2009, Chinese herbs were used to successfully manage H1N1.

These previous successes with similar viral outbreaks have made TCM a popular research focus to help combat coronavirus. Since the outrbeak of COVID-19, Chinese herbs have been used widely throughout the world to help patients recover from the severe respiratory symptoms of COVID-19, long COVID, and a weakened immune system.

TCM and Long COVID

After getting sick from COVID-19, some people report a variety of symptoms that linger on for weeks, months, or even years after recovering from the initial infection. Residual issues like extreme fatigue, difficulty breathing, brain fog, chest pain, joint pain, and sleep disturbances can significantly impact your quality of life. But TCM can help!

TCM views these persistent symptoms as signs that the body is still imbalanced, despite overcoming the initial viral infection. Here are the most common long COVID imbalances based on TCM:

  • Qi Deficiency: Persistent fatigue and weakness can be related to qi (energy) deficiency. Try Bu Zhong Yi Qi Wan to boost qi and improve your energy naturally.
  • Yin Deficiency: Night sweats, dry throat, and irritability could be signs of low yin, the body’s cooling and nourishing fluids. Zuo Gui Wan nourishes yin to restore balance.
  • Phlegm-Dampness: Brain fog, chest congestion, and digestive issues might result from excess phlegm and dampness blocking energy flow. A Spleen-nourishing, dampness-reducing formula like Gui Pi Wan is a good choice, especially if you also experience anxiety.

Chinese Herbal Medicine to Support Healthy Immune Function

If we want to defend ourselves against COVID or other diseases, we need a strong immune system. One of the main ways that Chinese herbal medicine improves immune health is by boosting the body’s natural energy, or qi. Qi is needed to keep all the body’s cells and organs functioning – and keep the immune system fighting. Too little qi can make us tired, depressed, and vulnerable to infection and illness.

Let’s explore a few herbal formulas that boost qi and build immune power:

Plum Flower – Central Chi Teapills (Bu Zhong Yi Qi Wan)

A simple remedy to boost our body’s natural energy is Bu Tong Yi Qi Wan/ Central Chi. This is a gentle formula that lifts the mood, improves digestion, boosts energy, and encourages a healthy immune response.

Turkey Tail Mushroom Capsules

Although not a Chinese herbal formula, the Turkey Tail mushroom is a prized Chinese medicinal. Our Real Mushrooms Turkey Tail (and the 5 Defenders blend) capsules and powder are an easy way to give your immune system extra care every day.

The immune system, however, can be complicated. While it does need certain nutrients to perform at its best, it also relies heavily on our lifestyle and habits. Remember to get enough sleep, maintain a healthy weight, relieve stress, and enjoy a laugh or two.

Chinese Herbal Medicine Restores Gut Health and Encourages Weight Loss

The combination of working from home, increased screen time, and stress can negatively impact our waistlines and gut health. While gaining a few pounds through a stressful time is normal, staying healthy and getting your gut back on track is key to keeping your immune system strong.

By eating a healthy diet and using Chinese herbal supplements, you can streamline your weight loss goals. Plus, research shows that TCM herbal medicine may help fight COVID and other illnesses by strengthening the gut microbiota.

Shiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Wan and Dieter’s Slimming Tea

If weight loss is your goal, consider using Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Wan/Six Gentlemen paired with Bravo Tea’s Dieter’s Slimming. These two formulas help to fight through what TCM calls “dampness” to help reduce bloating, stagnation, and excess weight gain. They also support a healthy gut microbiome and digestive system which makes reaching your goal weight easier.

Chinese Herbal Medicine Refocuses Your Mind and Relieves Stress

Between the shifts and changes in home and work life, the historical events happening in our culture and society, and the burnout that has become all-too-common, stress management is a self-care priority for pretty much everyone.

Several years out from the pandemic, and many people are still reporting higher-than-ever stress, while other studies show a 24% rise in brain fog and trouble concentrating. Pair that with the estimated 7% of Americans struggling with long COVID and it’s no surprise that many of us feel like we’re not performing as well as we used to.

Unfortunately, focus and productivity are not the only mental and emotional struggles we’re facing. For many of us, the intense stress and anxiety caused by the pandemic still remain. Thankfully, Chinese medicine offers a few natural ways to ease our minds and boost our brain power:

Lion’s Mane Mushroom 

At Best Chinese Medicine, we love Real Mushroom’s Lion’s Mane powder for a morning treat that gives you focus, clarity, and motivation. Lion’s mane mushroom is known for its positive effects on cognition function, memory, focus, and general mental health. Here’s a delicious way to enjoy Lion’s Mane:

Brain Boosting Morning Latte

  • 1 cup fresh organic coffee or 1 shot of espresso
  • 1 TBS Real Mushrooms Lion’s Mane powder
  • 1 TBS MCT oil or coconut oil
  • A few drops of pure vanilla extract

Add all ingredients to a blender and blend on medium-high for about one minute. Pour into your favorite mug and get to work!

Xiao Yao Wan 

If your stress is mild to moderate and you have been feeling irritable, frustrated, or moody, consider a daily dose of Xiao Yao Wan/Free and Easy Wanderer. This is a commonly used formula famous for its ability to help soothe the emotions and relax the mind.

An Shen Bu Xin Wan

If anxious thoughts, dread, or fear keep you from getting a good night’s sleep, try An Shen Bu Xin Wan instead. This formula is more focused on nourishing a stressed and tired heart. It helps to ease anxious thoughts and encourage a healthy sleep pattern. (Bonus: Ditching stress and boosting sleep also makes for a healthy immune system!)

Chinese Medicine and Post-Pandemic Life

Chinese medicine is thousands of years old and has offered solutions to some of the world’s worst medical catastrophes. While thorough research is still being conducted on the potential effects of Chinese herbs for treating symptoms of COVID-19, long COVID, and the risk of future pandemics, we can all make use of TCM’s power now, right at home.

Despite the many health benefits, taking Chinese herbal medicine to support your body daily offers one last piece of holistic health: a self-care ritual. Whether you’re currently facing a health condition or want to build your resilience and immunity, a small daily offering to ourselves (even if only a mug of warm tea or a mindful dose of Chinese herbal tea pills!) helps keep us centered and whole.

Stay well, stay safe, and keep enjoying your Chinese herbs!

*DISCLAIMER: Best Chinese Medicine does not claim that any featured products can cure or treat COVID-19.

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About the Author

Kaitlan Downes, MSAOM, L.AC

Kate Downes is a Chinese medicine practitioner with a passion for herbal medicine. In fact, it was her love for plant and earth medicine that first drew her to study Chinese medicine.

Kate has a MSAOM (Master of Science, Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine) certification and practiced acupuncture in Indianapolis, IN for five years before packing her bags to roam the world. In order to stay in touch with the wellness community and continue to help others thrive with herbal medicine, she transformed her work from face-to-face patient care to spreading wellness through words. Her life as a remote herbalist and writer has allowed her to work with a variety of wellness brands, health pioneers, and her wonderful clients. She has a special interest in working with women’s health.

Kate thoroughly enjoys writing educational and useful pieces for Best Chinese Medicine. Her goal is to help the public gain a better understanding of the wonders of Chinese herbal medicine so they can be empowered in their own quest for natural, vibrant health.

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