Acute Respiratory Virus

Common Cold, Influenza
Also, similar Viruses such as SARS, MERS, COVID etc.

Acute Respiratory Virus infections are common infections in young and old. Typically, they are seasonal and are more common in Winter and cold weather.
Influenza A (the most common subtype of influenza) is believed to cause around 3–5 million infections per year, and 250,000–500,000 deaths per year.
The importance of treating an acute Respiratory Virus is that they can often devlop into a bronchitis, a chest infection or pneumonia, especially in the young and elderly.
TCM views these types of Acute infections as caused by Wind with either “Heat” or “Cold”, and they are termed Feng Re (Wind-Heat) or Feng-Han (Wind-Cold), respectively.
Symptoms
Itchy throat, cough, fever, and body aches are common symptoms.
Heat-type: more sore throat, greater Fever, feeling of Heat, Cough with yellow phlegm, red face, red tongue with a yellow coating, and a fast Pulse.
Cold-type: excess clear sputum and phlegm, feels cold, lower Fever, Cough with white or clear Mucus, pale face, pale tongue with a thin white coat, slow or weak pulse.
If Wind is more predominant, there is body aches and pains, moving pain, itchy throat and sneezing.
Causes
All Traditions generally regard such acute Infections as a type of Toxin, often referred to as a Epidemic Toxin.
In addition, as stated above, TCM will view such acute attacks as caused by Wind, with either Heat or Cold. Thus, Wind is looked at as the “moving” influence that moves the pathogenic influence (virus) “into” the body. This can be rationalised today when we understand that such acute infections are airborne.

Wind-Heat

Sang Ju Yin
Yin Qiao San

Wind-Cold:

Gui Zhi Tang
Ma Huang Tang
Da Qing Long Tang

Exterior Wind-Heat with Internal Heat

Fang Feng Tong Sheng San
Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin

Exterior Wind-Cold with Internal Damp

Huo Xiang Zheng Qi Shui

Exterior Wind-Cold with Qi Deficiency

Ren Shen Bai Du San
Yu Ping Feng San

Lung Heat

Ma Xing Shi Gan Tang

Strong Heat and Toxin

Huang Lian Jie Du Tang
Niu Huang Jie Du Pian

Special Formula

Unani Decoction

Jujube 5 in number
Sebestens 9 in incumber
Quince seed. 3 grams
Boil in 250mls water until reduced to half
This combination is used for acute respiratory infections including Influenza. It has been studied and found effective. (See here)

AYUSH 64

Swertia Chirata
Alstonia scholaris
Caesalpinia bonducella
Picrorhiza kurroa
This compoiund has been studied and found effective for Influenza-like illnesses, as well as Malaria. It was also studied and found effective as an add-on for COVID patient. (see here)

Lianhua Qingwen

This is a patent medicine combining 2 classical formulas together:
Ma Xing Shi Gan Tang
Yin Qiao San
This is widely used for Influenza in China and has proven efficacy. (see here)

Anti Viral Granules:

Isatis Ban Lan Gen
Forsythia Lian Qiao
Gypsum (Shi Gao)
Anemarrhena Zhi Mu
Phragmitis Lu Gen
Rehmannia Di Huang
Pogostemon Guang Huo Xiang
Calamus (Shi Chang Pu)
Curcuma Yu Jin
This is available as a OTC patent medicine in China. It has proven efficacy. (See here)

Qingjin Huatan Decoction

Scutellaria Huang Qin
Gardenia Zhi Zi
Platycodon Jie Geng
Ophiopogon Mai Men Dong
Mulberry leaf (Sang Ye)
Fritillaria Bei Mu
Anemarrhena Zhi Mu
Trichosanthes Gua Lou Ren
Citrus Chen Pi
Poria Fu Ling
Licorice
This decoction is usefulk for Influenza associated Pneumonia. (See here and here)

Extra Info
History
Research
Comment

ANTI-INFLUENZA VIRUS:
–Identification of traditional medicinal plant extracts with novel anti-influenza activity.
–Iranian Traditional Medicine (ITM) and Natural Remedies for Treatment of the Common Cold and Flu.
–Anti-Influenza Activity of Medicinal Material Extracts from Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.
COVID:
–The Efficacy of Herbs as Complementary and Alternative Therapy in Recovery and Clinical Outcome Among People with COVID-19: A Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis, and Meta-Regression
–Effects of Iranian herbal Zofa® syrup for the management of clinical symptoms in patients with COVID-19: A randomized clinical trial
–The Efficacy of Herbs as Complementary and Alternative Therapy in Recovery and Clinical Outcome Among People with COVID-19: A Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis, and Meta-Regression
–Herbal Treatment of COPD and Asthma According to Persian Medicine: a Review of Current Evidence
–Essential Oils and COVID-19
–Indian Medicinal Plants and Formulations and Their Potential Against COVID-19–Preclinical and Clinical Research
–Spices and herbs: Potential antiviral preventives and immunity boosters during COVID‐19
–An updated and comprehensive review of the antiviral potential of essential oils and their chemical constituents with special focus on their mechanism of action against various influenza and coronaviruses

INDIVIDUAL HERBS
–Antiviral activity of hydroalcoholic extract from Eupatorium perfoliatum L. against the attachment of influenza A virus.
–Antiviral Potential of Melissa officinalis L.: A Literature Review.
–Revisiting liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.) as anti-inflammatory, antivirals and immunomodulators: Potential pharmacological applications with mechanistic insight.
–In vitro anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 effect of Ephedra przewalskii Stapf extract.
–Withaferin A, a polyfunctional pharmacophore that includes covalent engagement of IPO5, is an inhibitor of influenza A replication.
–Andrographis paniculata (Burm. F) Wall ex Nees: Antiviral properties.
–Coptisine Inhibits Influenza Virus Replication by Upregulating p21.

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