First of all, H1N1 has all characters [...]]]> Traditional Chinese Medicine ( TCM )has been fighting with epidemic diseases for thousands years, there are two main schools developed over Flu, Shang Han school mostly treats winter cold-induced plagues ,while Wen Bin school mainly copes with spring summer warm-induced pestilence, So, How TCM looks at H1N1 Flu ?

First of all, H1N1 has all characters of Wen Bin:

1. It starts at spring, summer, lasts to present.
2. Onsets suddenly. The incubation period can be only one day.
3. spreads by wind broadly(Airborne), no matter gender and age.
4. Conditions severe like high fever (>40c), transmits fast, in 1-3days may be in life threaten conditions.
5. First attacks Lung system causes Flu symptoms and signs, Bronchitis, Pneumonia, then may adversely transfers to invade pericardium, heart, causes coma, delirium.
6. The process goes through Wei, Qi, Yin, Blood Wen Bin stages subsequently, may reaches blood level with DIC, Embolism, causes bleeding, emergence situation.
7. Easily damages Qi and Yin, lead fatigue, thirsty, even Qi and Yin collapse, then die from shock, multiple organ function failure.

So, Correspond, the treatment strategy will be Dispels pathogen while strengthens vital Qi.

Treatment principles:

(1) Release wind heat from exterior, clear fire-toxin, those herbs have inhibitory effect  over flu viruses include H1N1, such like Jing Yin Hua(Honey suckle flower), Lian Qiao(Forsythia flower), Da Qing Ye, Ban Lan Gen(Woad indigo root and leaf), Guan Zhong( Agueweed ), Clear Yin and cool blood if  DIC,or Embolism co-exist .

(2) Nourish Yin to strengthen immune, promote body ability of fight with flu virus: Lu Gen (Reed Rhizome), Gan Cao (licorice root), Tai Zi Shen (Pesudostellaria), Xi Yang Shen (America gingshen), this is very TCM characteristic part.

(3) Symptomatic treatment to cough, high fever vomit, etc.

Recommendation of TCM treatment on 2009H1N1 flu

(Revised from China health ministry Guidance 2009 H1N1 Flu, third edition)

For Acute attack

( 1 ) Wind-heat toxin invade exteriorly

High fever, chilly, sweat, sore throat, cough, headache, body ache, thirsty, poor appetite, or nausea, vomit, fatigue. Red tongue, yellow, thin or grease coating, float and rapid pulse.

Ying Qiao San Modification

Jing Yin Hua 18  (Honey suckle flower )

Lian  Qiao   15    ( Forsythia flower )

Da Qing Ye  15   ( Woad indigo leaf )

Guan Zhong 15   ( Agueweed )

Chai Hu 12          ( Thorowax root)

Ge Gen 12           ( Kudzu root )

Jie Gen 12           ( Ballon Flower root )

Xing Ren 15        ( Apricot Kernel )

He Xiang 9          ( Agastache )

Pei Lian6             ( Eupatorium )

Lu Gen20            ( Reed root )

Gan Cao3            ( Licorice root )

( 2 ) Heat toxin obstructs Lung

High fever, sweat, thirsty, strong cough, short breath, yellowish phlegm, chest pain, irritable, fatigue, poor appetite, Red tongue, yellow coating, rapid pulse.

Ying Qiao Ma Xing Shi Gan Tang Modification

Jing Yin Hua 18                                  (Honey suckle flower )

Lian Qiao 15                                       ( Forsythia flower )

Mu Huang 12 ( Sang Bai Pi instead ) ( Mulberry bark )

Xing Ren15                                         ( Apricot Kernel )

Shi Gao 18                                          ( Gypsum )

Huang Qin 15                                     ( Scute )

Yu Xin Cao 15                                   ( Huttuynia )

Qing Dai 12                                        ( Indigo )

Chuan Bei Mu 15                               ( Fritillaria )

Gua Lou 12                                        ( Trichosanthes fruit )

Mai Meng Dong 12                            ( Ophipogon tube )

Gan Cao3                                           ( Licorice root )

Modifications:

Coma:                       An Gong Niu Huang Wan ( One of three TCM emergence pattern )

Seizure, convulsion: Zi Bao Dan                         (One of three TCM emergence pattern)

High Fever:              Zhi Xue Dan                       (One of three TCM emergence pattern)

Yin&Blood heat:      Xi Jiao (Water buffalo hornShui Niu Jiao instead), Mu Dan Pi (Cotex of peony root), Chi Shao Yao ( Red peony root )

Heart Lung Qi collapse : Shen Fu tang / Shen Mai San ( Both have injection form )

For prevention

( 1 ) Formula for people with weak immunity  for 1-3 weeks

A. Qi Deficiency constitution: Tai Zi Shen (Pesudostellaria) 12 Zhi Su Ye (Perilla leaf) 9 Da Qing Ye (woad indigo leaf)12   Guan Zhong (Agueweed)12

B. Blood deficiency constitution: Ge Gen (Kudzu root) 12, Di Huang (Rehmania) 12, Zhi Su Ye9, Guan Zhong12

C. Yin deficiency constitution: Bai Wei(Radix Cynanchi)12, Shi Hu(Dendrobium)12, Zhi Su Ye9, Cong Bai9, Guang Zhong12

D. Yang deficiency constitution: Cong Bai(Spring onion)9, Shen Jiang9(Ginger)3, Zhi Su Ye9, Fang Feng(Siler leaf)9, Guang Zhong12 Gui Zhi(Cinnamon)12

( 2 ) Formula for people contacted with H1N1 Flu patients

Guan Zhong12  Ban Lan Gen15  Gan Cao3  Zhi Su Ye9

( 3 ) For air disinfection: Ai Ye(Argy Wormwood Leaf ) 12  Cang pu(flag leaf )12  vinegar 100ml add water 500ml steam for 100m2 room.

To use formulae above, you are advised to get a consultation from TCM doctors, since it should be used based on a individual constitution way.

In China, a lot of  clinic and laboratory researches for this item are undergoing, preliminary results are  quite encouraged, China military  Medical science institute and Beijing DiTan Hospital have been treating 483 cases H1N1 Flu in a random, control treatment with Chinese medicine and Tamiflu, all treatment index like duration of fever, cough, fatigue, hospitalization etc, Chinese Medicine group is better and safer by now, there is a significant difference ( p<0.05), anyway, more cases and further study are needed , this research is still ongoing.

( Dr.Shiwu Xiao, 403-5852895 )