Top Chinese medical experts have noted the importance of integrated treatment in the latest studies. The results show Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Western therapies may be a powerful combo in the battle against COVID-19 and key to saving more patients. 

"The groups applying integrated therapy have shown significant results in terms of clinical symptom alleviation, shorter courses of disease, increased recovery rates and lower incidents of turning critically ill," said Dr. Zhang Boli, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering.  

One of the experiments studied 52 coronavirus patients in two separate control groups. One group used Western medicine only, while the other used both. 

In the group where TCM was applied, only two patients with mild symptoms had worsened. While in the other group, six did. 

"We may have some effective drugs, but there isn't any special Western medicine available at this moment. We noticed that TCM can ease symptoms such as fever, fatigue and sore muscles. When these conditions improve, it is more likely to reduce the chance of worsening," said Dr. Qiu Haibo, vice president of Zhongda Hospital of Southeast University. 

However, Western therapies are still the go-to option for treating serious and critical patients. 

"Integrated treatment complements TCM and Western medicine's advantages. Together they can be overwhelming in curing the illness with targeted treatments and TCM's overall conditioning," said Dr. Liu Qingquan, president of Beijing Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital.

So far at least six Chinese medicines have proven to be effective against the virus. Two herbal medicines, namely Jinhua Qinggan Granule and Lianhua Qingwen capsules, have been introduced in some of the worst-hit areas overseas, including Italy and Iraq.