20/07/2020
[20/07, 17:12] almuhtasib18: Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused a worldwide outbreak of respiratory illness. This review aims to evaluate the effectiveness and adverse events of herbal medicines for the treatment of COVID-19.
[20/07, 17:16] almuhtasib18: In the past, herbal medicine has played an important role in controlling infectious diseases. Clinical evidence from a range of studies of herbal medicine in the treatment of SARS coronavirus (SARS-CoV) has shown significant results, and supported the idea that herbal medicine has a beneficial effect in the treatment and prevention of epidemic diseases [3]. A Cochrane systematic review reported that herbal medicine combined with Western medicine may improve symptoms and quality of life in SARS-CoV patients [4]. A recently conducted meta-analysis also concluded that herbal medicine could reduce the infection rate of H1N1 influenza [5].
Inspired by previous experience, herbal medicine is considered one of the alternative approaches in the treatment of COVID-19. In China, the National Health Commission has declared the use of herbal medicine combined with Western medicine as a treatment for COVID-19, and has issued many guidelines on herbal medicine-related therapy [6]. To date, there is much clinical evidence that reports favorable effects of the usage of herbal medicine in the treatment of COVID-19 [7]. Several systematic
[20/07, 17:20] almuhtasib18: Types of Western medicines included were as follows: Lopinavir/ritonavir, Arbidol Hydrochloride tablets, Chloroquine Phosphate tablets, Ambroxol Hydrochloride tablets, Moxifloxacin tablets, Interferon-alfa injections, and Ribavirin injections. No study compared monotherapy of herbal medicine to no treatment, or monotherapy of Western medicine.
