As the effective prevention of "atypical pneumonia" or
SARS
has attracted considerable attention, two professors from the
Dongzhimen Hospital of
Beijing
University of Chinese Medicine, Jiang Liangduo and Zhou
Ping'an, have presented a "secret recipe" for prevention of the
disease.
Experts have pointed out that the virus of "atypical pneumonia" or
SARS that is spreading this spring is strongly infectious and
virulent. Once infected, the condition of the patient becomes very
serious and can deteriorate rapidly, causing grave consequences
such as great difficulty in breathing.
The traditional Chinese medical diagnosis is pestilence (wēn yl)
with major symptoms of sudden high fever, sweating, and rapid vital
energy loss. Therefore, the Chinese medical prevention method is to
relieve internal heat or fever, eliminate body humidity with
aromatic drugs, build up vital energy and promote the secretion of
saliva, while taking into consideration the characteristics of SARS
that include rapid onset, vital energy loss to lung qi and to body
fluid.
Recipe: Adopting the method of diagnosis and treatment based
on an overall analysis of the illness and the patient's condition,
doctors made out a set of recipe for effectively preventing
respiratory illness as well as enhancing one's immunity: 12 grams
of Rhizoma atractylodis (cāng zhz), 12 grams of Agastache rugosus
(hur xiāng), 20 grams of Fos lonicerae (ymn huā), 12 grams of
Rhizoma crassirhizomae (gu`n zhhn), 15 grams of Radix astragalis
(huang shl), 15 grams of Radix glehniea (shā shēn), 10 grams of
Radix ledebour iellea (fang fēng), and 15 grams of White
atractylodes rhizoma (bai zhz). Boil these medical herbs as normal
ones.
Dosage: People of strong physique take one dose every other
day (one dose should be divided into two portions, taken night and
morning), and take three doses; people of slender physique take one
dose daily, taking seven doses altogether. This recipe is
applicable to ordinary people. Children and pregnant women should
cut the dosage according to their own circumstances and consult
with their Chinese doctor
Some specialists have pointed out that taking Radix isatidis (b?n
lan gēn), a Chinese herbal medicine for treating colds, and
fumigating with vinegar couldn't effectively prevent SARS. However,
fumigating the room with moxa bars, and incense such as sandalwood
incense and Tibetan joss sticks, is an effective method for the
prevention. Electric air-cleaning devices can kill the virus too.
In addition, the following also deserves attentions: pets may be a
source of illness virus; elevators in apartment buildings should be
sterilized and ventilated to keep the air clear inside; ventilation
in office buildings installed with central air-conditioning units
should be highlighted.
(China.org.cn by Zhang Tingting, April 11, 2003)