Chinese Herbs for Pharyngitis Including COVID-19-Related Sore Throat

Abstract

Sore throat is one of the most prominent clinical manifestations seen among mild cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) modalities, especially Chinese herbs, have accumulated rich experience in successfully treating sore throats in both acute and chronic pharyngitis. By sharing a real-world case study of three patients suffering pharyngeal discomfort including sore throat that might be related to the new coronavirus infection and have similar manifestations to general viral-induced pharyngitis, the article systematically presents and summarizes key Chinese herbs for acute and chronic pharyngitis based on TCM herbal prescriptions (principles of herbal formula writing) below: clearing heat and removing toxins, nourishing yin and the throat, loosening the stools and soothing the throat, along with TCM syndrome differentiation or disease differentiation and treatment. Moreover, a modern interpretation of these principles in terms of the relationship between Shanghuo and Fire Rising, which may often be characterized by local redness, swelling, fever, and pain in the mouth or throat along with possible inflammation, and the correspondence between the pharynx and the anus are proposed. Finally, the article will share their experience in applying specific herbs locally via various pharyngeal delivery modalities to improve efficacy including recommended prescriptions for a variety of acute and chronic pharyngitis, as well as those that may be caused by the new coronavirus infection.