Case Analysis about:

Efficacy and safety of herbal medicine (Lianhuaqingwen) for treating COVID 19: A systematic

review and meta analysis.

Julianes, Trixie Nicole S.

Orsolino, Erykah Gheil

Traditional Chinese medicine has evolved significantly over the last 3,000 years.

Globally, it is implemented and widely used. The Lianhua Qingwen is a popular traditional

Chinese medicine. As well as being effective against influenza viruses, Lianhua Qingwen also

helps relieve symptoms of COVID-19 by increasing immunity, inhibiting respiratory tract

inflammation, and reducing lung inflammation. (Zeng, M,. 2020). Then for the risk regarding

Lianhua Qingwen, it may do more harm than good; the hospital committee advised hypertensive

patients, with irregular heartbeats, and those with heart disease to use the "with

caution."(Cabalza, D., 2020). 

There are 13 herbs included in Lianhua Qingwen medicine however, one of the

ingredients included is Ivermectin. Ivermectin is used to treat parasite infestations thus, this

ingredient did not significantly reduce the risk of mortality among patients with mild symptoms.

Moreover with the findings found in the case, Lianhua Qingwen medicine is only found effective

if used with conventional treatment. The medicine only reduces the symptoms but not the virus.

Patients should be advised by the nurses in terms of its adverse effect as well as to those patients
who are not allowed to take it. Lianhua Qingwei is not an antibiotic drug or supplement, it’s just

a herbal medicine to support and alleviate the symptoms.

Extensive studies on this medication is necessary, as COVID-19 infection is still evident.

Additional data and variables are required to substantiate ideas and conduct comprehensive

analysis and evaluation in order to obtain appropriate and accurate results. Our recommendation

is to raise public awareness of this TCM, as there is a great deal of medical misinformation

circulating that provides harmful effects to the public. One example that we have observed is that

people frequently purchase this product online without a doctor's prescription. Utilize social

media to the fullest extent possible to disseminate accurate and informative studies.
References: 

1. Cabalza, D. (2020, August 31). Chinese drug Lianhua Qingwen not to be taken without

doctor’s OK. INQUIRER.Net. https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1329036/lianhua-qingwen-

not-to-be-taken-without-doctors-ok#ixzz78ia83g4w

2. Doh and FDA clarify claims on the approval of potential COVID-19 treatments and calls

for resignation of the SOH: Department of Health Website. DOH AND FDA CLARIFY

CLAIMS ON THE APPROVAL OF POTENTIAL COVID-19 TREATMENTS AND

CALLS FOR RESIGNATION OF THE SOH | Department of Health website. (n.d.).

Retrieved from https://doh.gov.ph/doh-press-release/DOH-AND-FDA-CLARIFY-

CLAIMS-ON-THE-APPROVAL-OF-POTENTIAL-COVID-19-TREATMENTS-AND-

CALLS-FOR-RESIGNATION-OF-THE-SOH. 

3. Zeng, M. (2020, September 11). Traditional Chinese medicine Lianhua Qingwen treating

corona virus disease 2019(COVID-19): Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Plos One Journals.

https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0238828