The World Health Organization (WHO) defines traditional medicine as "the sum total of the knowledge, skills, and practices based on the theories, beliefs, and experiences indigenous to different cultures, whether explicable or not, used in the maintenance of health as well as in the prevention, diagnosis, improvement or treatment of physical and mental illness". But some people believe traditional medicine is contrasted with scientific medicine.
What is your opinion? Can we use traditional medicine for treatment of COVID19? If your answer is yes, how do you want to do it?
Gentle researcher in this RG open question we attempt to follows COVID19 violent outbreak (as in Italy, Iran & Spain) and to search possible causes of this virulence like SARS-MERS. Thank you for possible idea / info -contribute. >>> https://www.researchgate.net/post/The_novel_Coronavirus_in_N_Italy_Lombardia_COVID19_2019nCoV_SARSCoV2_shows_a_fatality_rate_compatible_with_SARS_Why2
For the meantime, we must use traditional medicine...until a known cure is made...
You mean try out thousands of compounds (like rhino horn), herbs (diluted hemlock), incantations and even dances in large randomized studies? Of course traditional assumed-healers did/do not have any idea what a virus was/is. Even somewhat recently-developed, illogical and unproven methods like homeopathy were described before the guru's involved had an idea about viruses. But there is of course the placebo effect and, at least before proper scientific medicine existed, regular doctors knew and could do so little that doing nothing (apart from providing something with a placebo effect like acupuncture, praying, rhino horn, homeopathy, radiating confidence or pretend magnetism) was often less dangerous than the interfering of the regulars. You could argue that vaccination for smallpox was used long before science knew about viruses. But if something works very well and there is proper evidence, scientific medicine jumps in and claims it. As with smallpox, quinine, artemisinin, digoxin, opium, belladonna, and takes over. That means, roughly speaking, if it has not been claimed it has no benefit. If you know of any viral disease controlled by the traditional approach with evidence from a proper study, that would be a good starting point for a study to find out how it works exactly at the cellular/immunological level and if that could help with SARS-CoV-02.
Another thing, I don't want to be nasty but don't you think that this pandemic was caused by traditional believes about medicine. Eating, collecting, storing exotic animals with the idea that they heal/make strong/ increase potency was at the root of this pandemic, is it not? HIV by the way has also been connected to "bushmeat".
I don't have any prejudice about traditional medicine. I only want to know scientists' opinion about applying it for treatment of COVI19.
Is there an effective traditional medicine method in the treatment of COVID19? Is the effect of this method proven? I don't know. Only, they can have overall effects against infections.
"Only, they can have overall effects against infections" Prove it, show me a scientific study with this effect, taking the placebo factor in account. It took a few years for South Africa to abandon the traditional medication approach, favored by the then minister of health and the president, in favor of scientifically developed medication. It is claimed that hundreds died unnecessary because of this. This is all a matter of record not my opinion. I think, 99.9 % of the South African doctors agree with this now.
there is considerable evidence of traditional medicine pharmacology and efficacy. Chinese medicine was used quite extensively and successfully in China for the covid19 outbreaks.
John Chen, PharmD and L.Ac has been a tremendous source of evidence based material on this. The are immunostimulant hers such as Huang Qi (Radix Astragalus) associated with promotion of T cells (non specific immunity) and activation of B cells (specific immunity). There are antiviral herbs such as Jin Yin Hua (Flos Lonicerae Japonicae) which has antiviral and antibacterial properties. China has a history of over 300 epidemics over the course of recorded history, and has a track record. There is also peer reviewed papers of Chinese herbs used in SARS-CoV. Ban Lan Gen (Radix Isatidis) has been show to have antiviral effect agains the influenza A virus and suppresses the hyper inflammation from the cytokine storm (such as that occurs in COVID 19 ) You Xing can (Herba Houttuyniae) has been demonstrated to have antiviral effects in SARS (another corona virus). Xiang Chun ye (Folium Toonae Sinensis) contains a compound (TSL-1) that specifically bind to SARS CoV virus to inhibit the cellular entry of the virus into the host cells. Wu Bei Zi (Galla Chinensis) has antiviral activity (from moronic acid).
Ma Huang (Herba ephedrae) is outstanding to open up the airways (sadly illegal now in the US). Other herbs are good for clearing phlegm,
There are a number of Chinese herbal formulas that are used as well.
Of course by now the Chinese herbs are in short supply. But there is other scientific pharmacological studies on a variety of traditional medicine herbs in the literature.
But the point of this is that reputable journal such as the J. Ethnopharmacology, Phytotherapy Res and Antiviral Res. I would recommend emailing or calling a research library and search on PubMed or other credible databases for evidence based research for specific traditional medicine that is available
I believe you after I see a peer reviewed, randomized study in a high-end medical journal
All of us should tell evidence based. I think not only China, but also other countries may have traditional medicine. Please tell about all of the countries that can help with their formulas. Certainly, based on proved articles.
Because this is a new disease, a variation on SARS (with about 10% mortality), you could argue that there can't be evidence, let alone proper evidence, about traditional approaches to cure SARS 2.
See under for help for somebody who wants to start a study, it seems difficult to get ethical clearance if there is no plausible mechanism for the medication (or dance or prayer) to kill the virus or to boost the specific defenses of the persons affected. The first SARS was not stopped by medication (or prayers I think) but by isolation, a global traditional approach indeed.
Creating a Framework for Conducting Randomized Clinical Trials during Disease Outbreaks N.E. Dean and Others | N Engl J Med 2020;382:1366-1369 Free Full Text
If traditional medicine might be useful for SARS or MERS, it may be useful for COVID19, too.
Not so sure if that is true, there are millions of "hungry" scientist (pre-docs/post-docs) very eager to make their mark, or better to win the Noble price.
Dear all,
I want to know about traditional medicine in your countries. The result of its administration is not important!
Warts on your hands: urinate on them in the morning
The Plague: blame the Jews and kill them.
Corona: blame radiation and burn G5 aerials.
Does a cow unexpectedly die: find a witch and burn her.
Have you got HIV (and 100 years ago syphilis) sleep with a virgin.
Are you afraid of the libido of females: circumcise young girls.
Somebody stuttering: give him a big fright.
To date, there is no known authentic traditional medicine for the treatment of COVID-19.
Please take a look at the following RG link.
Article Traditional Chinese Medicine in the Treatment of Patients In...
Dear Harasit Kumar Paul,
I agree. But is there any news about finding a traditional medicine method the efforts for treatment of COVID19? The results is not so important.
Please have a look at the following link:
Article Traditional Chinese herbal medicine for treating novel coron...
Recently, in India a few of traditional medicine being used for COVID-19.
1. Ashwagandha, Yashtimadhu, Guduchi +Pippali and a polyherbal formulation (AYUSH-64) cleared for trial in the battle against Covid-19.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/pune-among-5-cities-for-clinical-trials-of-ashwagandha-to-treat-covid-19/articleshow/75665584.cms
Use of herbal drugs to treat COVID-19 should be with caution
Published online: May 15, 2020
Yichang Yang
The Lancet
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)31143-0/fulltext
At a time when medical specialists are battling to understand the epidemic, venturing into traditional medicine would be a dangerous move.
Dear Maforah,
You may be right. But the goal of this question is only gain knowledge about every methods. We should know about an item and after that judge about it.
If they are tested and there is scientific evidence they can used.
Please go through the following link:
Article Herbal Medicine for the Treatment of Coronavirus Disease 201...
We can totally use traditional medicine for the treatment of COVID-19. The Malagasy Covid-Organics is proof of this.
can we see peer reviewed publications in reputable journals about the above claims. Trump made also claims also no properer published studies.
A Chinese official announced at a press conference that indications of three patent herbal drugs were approved to be expanded to include COVID-19 symptoms. This included Lianhuaqingwen capsules and Jinhuaqinggan granules for mild conditions, and Xuebijing (injectable) for severe conditions.
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)31143-0/fulltext
A combined use of ginger, garlic, black seed oil, honey, and lemon has proven to boost the body immune system to defeat Covid-19 within a short time
Yeah. Though not into medical practice, however evidence from those that survived the infection points to that direction!
If every traditional medicine can increase immunity, it can be used for treatment of COVID 19.
Yes "if", prove it. Or do you mean life expectancy is demonstrably higher for people and areas where traditional medicines are used a lot? Like garlic or crosses against vampires in Transylvania. Please correlate life expectancy with the popularity (or having no other choice) of traditional approaches, including faith healing. The continent with (arguably) , the highest rates of traditional medicine-use for serious diseases – even if there is a scientifically recognised treatment/preventive for it, Africa, has the highest rates of Acquired Immune Deficiency. In South Africa, the then minister of health, supported by President Mbeki, 30years ago or so, has done her utmost to prove that traditional cures helped. She thought, or claimed to think like you, traditional cures boost resistance. Only grass roots actions to change that policy resulted in many lives being saved, or better less lives being lost unnecessarily. I am not claiming that scientific healthcare has a cure, but at least the disease is often manageable, not a guaranteed death sentence within a few years, but a chronic disease like diabetes.
"If" is the first phase of any discovery!
I agree. Everything can be studied for solving the problems. If it will be useful, we accept and if not, we are free to reject it.
Moreover, the only proven therapy in the stage that oxygen is needed or even ventilation, is at the moment Dexamethason. Medication that reduces the immuun reaction. Therefore, if you are right, the "if" and traditional medicine would increase resistance against Covid-19, then it could be contra-productive, at least in the latter stages of a severe Covid infection.
Why investing indigenous knowledge system (IKS) if its contribution not taken into consideration.
Please also have a look at the following RG links.
Article Traditional Chinese medicine played a crucial role in battli...
Article Traditional Chinese Medicine treatment of COVID-19
Article Traditional Chinese Medicine: an effective treatment for 201...
Many existing medical systems have strong historical roots and are supported by generational human perspectives as well as their own philosophical ideas. As a result, several hypotheses regarding their implementation can be made.
However, the latest investigations should back them up.
However, the latest investigations should back them up.
They have the potential to play an important role in COVID-19 patients’ prevention, management, and recovery, as well as post-treatment care.
- Badges
- Science topic
- Similar topics
- Medicine