UK search on for Chinese med Covid fix

Hongkongers in the UK are looking for a Chinese medicine - the Lianhua Qingwen capsule - which is commonly used in China to treat Covid-19 and respiratory diseases induced by various influenza viruses.

A mother whose daughter studies in the United Kingdom said she was told by other parents that the capsule is effective in alleviating Covid symptoms. She said she has heard that if the capsules are taken once a person develops Covid symptoms, their discomfort will disappear within five days.

"Many parents who have children studying abroad or people who have migrated are asking their friends and relatives in Hong Kong to buy it from Hong Kong and ship it to them," she said.

She said she plans to prepare four to five packs - sufficient for eight to 10 days of consumption - for her daughter.

A Hongkonger in Canada claimed he was cured of Covid-19 after taking the capsule, following a suggestion by mainland expert Zhong Nanshan.

The man was suffering from extreme headaches, joint pain, a stuffy nose and felt like he couldn't breathe. However, after taking the medication for three days, he fully recovered.

A pack of 24 Lianhua Qingwen capsules manufactured by Shijiazhuang Yiling Pharmaceutical in the mainland is being sold at HK$49 at Watsons.

The packaging said users should take four capsules at a time thrice a day. A staffer said the capsules are for "discharging heat and detoxing" but now there is talk that it could treat Covid infections.

"Maybe it's because this capsule contains Indigowoad Root [also known as banlangen]. It's like during SARS, people panicked and bought banlangen believing it could treat the infection," she said.

Chinese medicine practitioner Norton Lam Tik-lung said the capsule was advocated in China for mild illness symcaused by Covid and should only be taken short-term to treat flu-like symptoms.

Respiratory specialist Leung Chi-chiu said the effectiveness of medicine, no matter Chinese or western, can only be found by strict clinical trials.