Beijing pushes traditional Chinese medicine as coronavirus treatment despite questions over benefits
- President Xi Jinping has praised it as a ‘treasure’ of Chinese civilisation and more than 90 per cent of Covid-19 patients in the country have been given it
- Beijing is now keen to promote its use internationally, but some scientists have warned there is no evidence to prove it works
Traditional Chinese medicine is being promoted as a treatment for Covid-19 with more than 90 per cent of patients receiving traditional treatments, according to official figures.
While many scientists are sceptical about its benefits, traditional medicine has official support and has been endorsed by President Xi Jinping.
It has been credited with curing tens of thousands of patients during the outbreak and is also being promoted beyond China’s borders, as an alternative medical solution and a source of national pride.
One of the treatments being used is ephedra, which has been used to treat respiratory complaints since the 13th century, and a special soup in which it is mixed with poria, blackberry lily, apricot kernel and gypsum can help alleviate symptoms, according to official guidelines from the Chinese National Health Commission.
The use of Chinese medicine has been supported by the national medical authorities during most recent pandemics, including the H1N1 flu outbreak in 2009 and H7N9 in 2013.
Traditional Chinese medicine has proved effective in shortening the recovery time of patients with mild symptoms, and a mixture of tai chi, acupuncture and massage can help with their mental health, according to Zhang Boli, a Chinese medicine expert with the Chinese Academy of Engineering.