Herbal medicine for treatment of children diagnosed with COVID-19: A review of guidelines

Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2020 May:39:101174. doi: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2020.101174. Epub 2020 Apr 12.

Abstract

This review aimed to summarize and analyze the pattern identification (PI), herbal formulae, and composition of herbs provided by recent guidelines for the treatment of pediatric COVID-19. Seven data sources were reviewed until March 25, 2020. We analyzed the herbal formulae included in the guidelines and performed a network analysis to identify the frequency of herbs recommended in the herbal formulae. All 3 guidelines were provincial guidelines from China. Our results showed that there were 4 stages, 12 PIs, and 13 herbal formulae recommended by the provincial guidelines. These herbal formulae included a total of 56 herbs. Based on our network analysis, Scutellariae Radix was paired with Artemisiae Annuae Herba in one cluster. In another cluster, Armeniacae Semen was paired with Coicis Semen and Ephedrae Herba was paired with Gypsum Fibrosum. This review serves as a reference for the use of traditional medicine in the treatment of pediatric COVID-19.

Keywords: COVID-19; Children; Herbal medicine; Pediatric; Traditional medicine.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Betacoronavirus
  • COVID-19
  • COVID-19 Drug Treatment
  • Child
  • Coronavirus Infections / drug therapy*
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal* / therapeutic use
  • Herbal Medicine
  • Humans
  • Medicine, Chinese Traditional*
  • Pandemics
  • Phytotherapy*
  • Plants, Medicinal
  • Pneumonia, Viral / drug therapy*
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic
  • SARS-CoV-2

Substances

  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal