Preventing severe cases of COVID-19 is a key priority; Tibetan medicine research holds great potential. Academician Zhong Nanshan’s team held a video conference with the Gansu COVID-19 Prevention and Control Expert Group.

　　“If we can prevent patients from progressing to severe illness, then traditional medicines can be highly effective as well. I’ve seen that certain Tibetan medicines can indeed alleviate patients’ symptoms and prevent them from developing into critical conditions. We know that once a patient progresses to critical illness, treatment becomes considerably more challenging. So, preventing progression to critical illness would be the greatest achievement…” At 5 p.m. on March 20, during a video conference involving Chinese Academy of Engineering Academician Zhong Nanshan, the Gansu Provincial Health Commission, and the Gansu Provincial COVID-19 Prevention and Control Expert Group, Academician Zhong made this assessment of the Tibetan medicine formula included in the “Gansu Prescription.” Academician Zhong noted that Tibetan medicine holds great potential in this area, saying, “I believe we can take this work even further by conducting additional research focused on Tibetan medicine’s efficacy in alleviating symptoms, shortening fever duration, and even reducing viral load.”

　　Professor Li Yimin, Li Shiyue, Huang Qinghui, Yang Zifeng, and Li Chufang—key members of Academician Zhong Nanshan’s research team—as well as Guo Yufen, Director of the Gansu Provincial Health Commission, and Tibetan and Chinese medicine experts including Yue Hongmei, Zhang Zhiming, Shu Jing, Wang Landi, Mingjicuo, and Lei Jufang, all participated in this video conference.

　　The Tibetan medicine formulas have been officially included in the “Gansu Prescription” for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19: In the preventive stage, Cuitang Granules are used; during the treatment stage, ordinary-type patients receive both Cuitang Granules and Influenza Pills; and in the recovery stage, Renqing Mangjue Granules are administered. These Tibetan medicine formulas traveled to Wuhan together with the Gansu medical team and have demonstrated excellent performance in protecting healthcare workers. When applied symptomatically to 40 patients at Wuhan Central Hospital, they have also achieved preliminary positive results.

　　In his speech, Academician Zhong Nanshan expressed his recognition of Tibetan medicine and ethnic medicines. He said, “The entire field of medicine has been advancing and innovating along two paths: one is the Western approach, which starts from basic research—focusing on molecular and chemical structures—and progresses from animal studies to clinical applications; this path is long and arduous. The other path involves moving from empirical medicine toward evidence-based medicine—many methods that have proven effective among ordinary people over hundreds or even thousands of years are now being validated through evidence-based medicine. This is indeed a very promising approach. The folk medicines of regions such as Gansu, Tibet, Qinghai, and Yunnan undoubtedly hold intrinsic value, which is precisely why they have been passed down to this day—I have no doubt about it!”

　　Academician Zhong Nanshan mentioned that artemisinin—a malaria-fighting drug, paclitaxel—a cancer-fighting drug, and oseltamivir (Tamiflu)—an influenza-fighting drug—all originate from plants and were extracted from ancient texts of traditional medicine. He encouraged Gansu Province, as a major province for traditional Chinese medicine, to quickly embark on a path of development—from empirical medicine toward evidence-based medicine, using modern medical methods to study Chinese medicines, including Tibetan medicines. “On the one hand, we can screen for effective drugs at the cellular level; on the other hand, we can identify valuable drugs through animal studies. In this way, we can significantly enhance the quality and efficacy of Tibetan medicines…” Academician Zhong Nanshan stated: “I believe Tibetan medicines have great potential. I hope we can further strengthen our research collaboration, discover promising substances, and make contributions to the world!”

　　It is understood that as a leading enterprise in Tibetan medicine, Qizheng Tibetan Medicine has actively participated in the research on Tibetan medicine conducted by the team led by Academician Zhong Nanshan. Lei Jufang, Chairwoman of Qizheng Tibetan Medicine, stated: “First, Academician Zhong’s vision for the development of Tibetan medicine is like a beam of sunlight illuminating the path forward in Tibetan medicine R&D, filling me with great confidence in the future. Second, traditional medicine—especially ethnic medicine—is often shrouded in cultural, geographical, and historical differences, which have long obscured its true value. Despite being as precious as pearls, it has remained hidden and unrecognized. This time, when the Gansu Health Commission included Tibetan medicine in the Gansu prescription, it not only provides strong support for the development of Tibetan medicine in Gansu but also bolsters the confidence of Tibetan medical practitioners across the five Tibetan-inhabited provinces, lighting the way ahead. Finally, this epidemic has offered us some valuable insights: At its core, infectious viruses are rooted in basic human needs. It is precisely these fundamental issues—those that address our most basic survival requirements—that truly determine humanity’s survival. When such challenges arise, if we can harness our energy and offer meaningful assistance to humanity, opportunities and further development will naturally follow.”

　　Reporting media: Panorama Network

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