Early signs of efficacy in Tibetan medicine for treating COVID-19.

　　On June 13, a report meeting on the anti-epidemic achievements of Tibetan medicine, hosted by the Health Commission of the Tibet Autonomous Region, was held in Lhasa. Frontline anti-epidemic experts from the Gansu medical team aiding Hubei stated that Tibetan medicines such as Cuitang Granules, Influenza Pills, and Renqing Mangjue Capsules demonstrated significant efficacy during the treatment of COVID-19 in Wuhan. This marks the first time that clinical observation data have confirmed the effectiveness of Tibetan medicine in treating COVID-19.

　　Experts explained that, starting from February 15, 2020, the first batch of Gansu medical team aiding Hubei—led by Wang Yu and Ma Guozhen—began using Tibetan medicinal formulas from the "Gansu Prescription" at the Houhu Branch of Wuhan Central Hospital’s Fever Ward No. 19. During the preventive phase, they administered Cuitang Granules; during the treatment phase, patients with mild cases were given both Cuitang Granules and Influenza Pills; and during the recovery phase, they used Renqing Mangjue Capsules according to established medication guidelines. To date, more than 30 confirmed COVID-19 patients have been treated with Tibetan medicine at this hospital, including 26 hospitalized patients. Among these, 20 recovered patients took Renqing Mangjue Capsules home with them upon discharge. Clinical observations revealed that Cuitang Granules and Influenza Pills showed relatively satisfactory efficacy in alleviating early COVID-19 symptoms such as fever, chills, and cough. Furthermore, Renqing Mangjue Capsules demonstrated significant therapeutic effects on the TCM syndrome scores associated with novel coronavirus pneumonia, with an average treatment duration of 5.5 days. The cure rate for diarrhea and loose stools reached 89%, while the cure rate for poor appetite was 60%. No adverse events occurred during the treatment period, indicating excellent safety.

　　Meanwhile, the Gansu Provincial Health Commission has also provided all members of the medical assistance team sent to Hubei with a “Tibetan medicine formula” consisting of Chuitang Granules, Influenza Pills, and Renqing Mangjue Capsules for personal protection. “On the front lines in Wuhan, I experienced discomfort in my throat. After taking the supplied Chuitang Granules, my symptoms disappeared by the next day...,” said Song Xia, deputy head nurse of the Emergency Department at Gansu Provincial People’s Hospital and leader of the Gansu nursing team aiding Hubei, at the meeting. It is reported that among the 796 members of the Gansu medical team sent to Hubei—divided into six batches—no one has been infected, and Tibetan medicine has played a positive role in this regard.

　　The Gansu medical team aiding Hubei has been using Tibetan medicine to treat confirmed patients, achieving even better results than anticipated. This effort has been hailed by industry insiders as a “landmark event in the field of Tibetan medicine.” Participants from the Tibetan medicine community explained that Tibetan medicine possesses a profound understanding of the pathogenesis of “epidemic diseases.” The Tibetan proprietary medicines designed for “preventing and controlling plagues” are time-tested, mature, and highly effective remedies, having already proven their efficacy during previous outbreaks such as the H1N1 influenza and avian influenza. At the onset of the novel coronavirus pneumonia epidemic in early 2020, when Hubei found itself in dire need of assistance, Tibetan medical experts from Tibet urgently convened to discuss response strategies for COVID-19. On January 26, Tibet issued the “Notice on Issuing the Tibetan Medicine Prevention and Treatment Plan for Pneumonia Caused by Novel Coronavirus Infection in the Tibet Autonomous Region,” available in both Tibetan and Chinese versions. On February 15, Gansu released the “Notice on Promoting the Use of a Series of Traditional Chinese Medicine Prescriptions for COVID-19 Prevention and Treatment Across the Province,” explicitly including Tibetan medicine prescriptions in the “Gansu Prescription Collection.”

　　According to relevant reports, the Tibetan medicines “Influenza Pills,” “Renqing Mangjue Capsules,” and “Cuithang Granules”—all mobilized by the Gansu Health Commission—were donated by Gansu Qizheng Tibetan Medicine Co., Ltd. Lei Jufang, Chairperson of Qizheng Tibetan Medicine, said, “The Cuithang Granules, Influenza Pills, and Renqing Mangjue Capsules produced by Qizheng Tibetan Medicine were developed strictly in accordance with ancient prescriptions and after repeated trials. The fact that these medicines have been included in the list of drugs used in the fight against the epidemic fills us with both honor and a profound sense of responsibility and pressure—we dare not afford even the slightest mistake.”

　　The role of Tibetan medicine in frontline COVID-19 prevention and treatment has drawn attention from Academician Zhong Nanshan of the Chinese Academy of Engineering. During a video conference on March 20, which involved representatives from Gansu Provincial Health Commission and the Gansu Provincial Expert Panel for COVID-19 Prevention and Control, Academician Zhong pointed out: “If we can prevent patients from progressing to severe illness, traditional medicines can be highly effective. I’ve observed that certain Tibetan medicines can indeed alleviate patients’ symptoms and prevent them from developing into critical conditions. As we know, once a patient progresses to critical condition, treatment becomes extremely challenging. Therefore, preventing progression to critical illness is the greatest achievement…” He also expressed his willingness to support further clinical trials of Tibetan medicine in the treatment of COVID-19. Members of Academician Zhong Nanshan’s team also participated in this briefing.

　　In her speech, Gesang Yuzhen, Director of the Health Commission of the Tibet Autonomous Region, expressed her delight at the remarkable therapeutic effects achieved by Gansu experts in using Tibetan medicines such as Renqing Mangjue Capsules, Cuitang Granules, and Influenza Pills in frontline clinical treatment in Wuhan. She said, “Tibetan medicine is a national treasure that requires both inheritance and innovation. We must fully leverage its unique strengths. As a classical medical system, Tibetan medicine calls for us to adopt a broad and forward-looking perspective, so that it can bring greater health and well-being to people of all ethnic groups.”