SARS in China gives rise to new prescriptions - with doubtful purposes

SARS in China has taken a heavy toll. It has been the originating country of the syndrome, and new patients are still being reported frequently as this article is being written. The syndrome has caused enough deaths to raise global wariness and fear. And behind the unusual panic is the knowledge that no cure is available in the form of Western Medicine in dealing with SARS. Perceiving this, China has suggested prescriptions for prevention of SARS in Eastern Medical form. These prescriptions have been met with a warm reception by the public, and has gained attention and popularity. But a look at the prescriptions suggest that the prescriptions are aimed at initial treatment, rather than prevention. Some popular prescriptions are given here.

Prescriptions given in China for prevention of SARS

◎ Astragali Radix(生黃芪, saenghwangki) 15g

Loniceros Flos(金銀花, keumeunhwa) 15g

Bupleuri Radix(柴胡, siho) 10g

Scutellariae Radix(黃芩, hwanggeum) 10g

Dryopteris Crassirhizoma (貫衆, gwanjung) 15g

Atractylodis Rhizoma (蒼朮, changchul) 10g

Saposhnikoviae Radix (防風, bangpung) 10g

Glycyrrhizae Radix (甘草, sanggamcho) 5g

Coicis Semen (生薏苡仁, sang-eui-i-in) 15g

Agastaches Herba (藿香, gwakhyang) 10g

This is the original formula prescribed at the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine. Loniceros Flos, Scutellariae Radix, Atractylodis Rhizoma, Saposhnikoviae Radix, and Agastaches Herba relieve the exterior (解表), dry Dampness(燥濕) and dispel poison(解毒). Astragali and Glycyrrhizae Radix tonify the body's Ki(補氣) in order to replenish what is lost by the action of these herbs.

◎ Bupleuri Radix(柴胡, siho) 10g

Scutellariae Radix(黃芩, hwanggeum) 10g

Cimicifugae Rhizoma(升麻, seungma) 10g

Dryopteris Crassirhizoma(貫衆, gwanjung) 10g

Isatis Tinctoria(板藍根, pannamgeun) 15g

Isatidis Folium(大菁葉, daechungyeop) 15g

Loniceros Flos(金銀花, keumeunhwa) 10g

Glycyrrhizae Radix(甘草, saenggamcho) 10g

Platycodi Radix(桔梗, gilgyeong) 10g

Atractylodis Rhizoma(蒼朮, changchul) 10g

Forsythiae Fructus(連翹, yeongyo) 10g

Astragali Radix(黃芪, hwanggi) 15g

Saposhnikoviae Radix(防風, bangpung) 10g

Another prescription from the Bejing University of Chinese Medicine. Cimicifugae Rhizoma, Isatis Tinctoria, Isatidis Folium, Platycodi and Astragali Radix, and Forsythiae Fructus has been added, while Coicis Semen and Agastaches Herba has been removed from the former formula. The added herbs all relieve the exterior and dispel poisons(淸熱解毒), with the exception of Astragali Radix, which tonifies Ki. The ingredients removed are used to dispel Dampness.

◎ Astragali Radix(生黃芪, saenghwangki) 15g

Loniceros Flos(金銀花, keumeunhwa) 15g

Bupleuri Radix(柴胡, siho) 10g

Scutellariae Radix(黃芩, hwanggeum) 10g

Dryopteris Crassirhizoma(貫衆, gwanjung) 15g

Atractylodis Rhizoma(蒼朮, changchul) 10g

Saposhnikoviae Radix(防風, bangpung) 10g

Glycyrrhizae Radix(甘草, sanggamcho) 5g

This is a prescription used widely in Hong Kong. Coicis Semen and Agastaches Herba has been omitted from the Beijing University formula.

◎ Bupleuri Radix(柴胡, siho) 10g

Scutellariae Radix(黃芩, hwanggeum) 10g

Cimicifugae Rhizoma(升麻, seungma) 10g

Dryopteris Crassirhizoma(貫衆, gwanjung) 10g

Isatis Tinctoria(板藍根, pannamgeun) 15g

Isatidis Folium(大菁葉, daechungyeop) 15g

Loniceros Flos(金銀花, keumeunhwa) 10g

Glycyrrhizae Radix(甘草, sanggamcho) 5g

Platycodi Radix(桔梗, gilgyeong) 10g

Atractylodis Rhizoma(蒼朮, changchul) 10g

Forsythiae Fructus(連翹, yeongyo) 10g

Astragali Radix(黃芪, hwanggi) 15g

Saposhnikoviae Radix(防風, bangpung) 10g

additional Purarirae Radix(葛根, galgeun) used.

The Chinese academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine coined this one. It is differentiated from the Beijing University formula solely through the use of additional Purarirae Radix. Purarirae Radix clears heat and relieves the exterior(淸熱解表).

◎ Loniceros Flos(金銀花, keumeunhwa) 20g

Astragali Radix(黃芪, hwanggi) 15g

Atractylodis Rhizoma Alba(白朮, baekchul) 15g,

Agastaches Herba (藿香, gwakhyang) 12g

Saposhnikoviae Radix(防風, bangpung) 10g

Adenophora Tryphilla(薺尼, jeni) 10g

Atractylodis Rhizoma(蒼朮, changchul) 15g

Dryopteris Crassirhizoma(貫衆, gwanjung) 15g

A prescription wide used in pharmacies around Beijing.

Another look at the prescriptions

The ingredients of the formulas are similar to a large degree. The prescriptions are mainly aimed at lowering heat and dispelling poisons(淸熱解毒), with removing Dampness being an additional option. Ki tonics are included to support the dispelling functions. This kind of prescription would have effect on the initial symptoms of the syndrome, but the preventive effects of these prescriptions are questionable, since relieving the exterior is useful after being influenced by pathogenin Ki that invade the exterior. Thus, the prescriptions would be rightly used as at the onset of SARS, but not as preventive medicine. And as these prescriptions may have strong effects it is unadvisable to take these formulas without instructions from a KM practitioner.