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Swine Flu Information
by Subhuti Dharmananda, Ph.D., Director, ITM
Swine flu is a designation for a particular influenza strain and also for the disease that results from infection by it. At this time, there are very few cases of swine flu known to exist, most of them in Mexico (as of April 27, 2009). However, there is great concern because of the severity of the disease, including fatal outcomes for some people who appeared otherwise young and healthy, and for the potential of a pandemic brought about through the high level of international travel and lack of a specific preventive vaccine.
Chinese herbs used for influenza have no specificity for the different strains. The herbs may have general anti-viral properties effective against influenza and they may stimulate immune system responses to more quickly overcome the influenza virus. Many people consider Chinese herbs as a fairly reliable treatment for influenza.
Without the ability to claim any effectiveness, ITM can relay which formulas and what dosages might be considered for application of TCM to swine flu. Not surprisingly, numerous practitioners have already inquired about this. The suggestion is as follows:
Ilex 15 (Seven Forests): 6 tablets three times daily
Myrolea-B (White Tiger): 1-2 tablets each time, three times daily
Ilex 15 is the most frequently used ITM formulation for influenza; Myrolea-B has anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties, and was one of the ITM formulas recommended in response to concerns about another epidemic of recent origin, SARS. At that time, Chinese doctors were frequently turning to a formula called Shuang Huang Lian (comprised of three herbs: lonicera, forsythia, and scute), an established modern formula for treating respiratory infections, which was the basis for Myrolea-B. The current swine flu causes respiratory distress, so this formulation seems appropriate. The dosages given above are for adults.
In terms of disease prevention, the primary approach right now is related to hygiene, not consumption of herbs. Avoiding crowded places, limiting travel to areas with high levels of the disease, washing hands frequently, and other common methods of preventing infectious disease spread are the key. It has been reported to ITM that some patients claim regular use of moderate doses of Ilex 15 has helped with influenza prevention. We have no way to verify such claims, but they have been received over several years. Routinely, in TCM, the Jade Screen formula (such as Jade Sreen Tablets of Seven Forests) is used in prevention of epidemic diseases. Jade Screen Tablets includes herbs for respiratory tract infections (e.g., houttuynia), while the standard Jade Screen Formula is limited to the tonic and surface-regulating herbs (astragalus, atractylodes, and siler). |
