What traditional Chinese herbs can cure smallpox?
Jan 31, 2024
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. He Haochen
Introduction
Smallpox is a severe infectious disease caused by the variola virus. While traditional Chinese medicine alone cannot cure smallpox, patients may use certain Chinese patent medicines—such as Niuhuang Jiedu Tablets, Yiniao Jiedu Pills, Huanglian Shangqing Pills, Gegen Qinlian Pills, and Shuanghuanglian Oral Liquid—under the guidance of a physician for symptomatic treatment. It is recommended that patients use these medications under medical supervision and avoid self-medication.
Smallpox is a severe infectious disease caused by the variola virus. While traditional Chinese medicine alone cannot cure smallpox, patients may use certain Chinese patent medicines—such as Niuhuang Jiedu Tablets, Yinqiao Jiedu Pills, Huanglian Shangqing Pills, Gegen Qinlian Pills, and Shuanghuanglian Oral Liquid—under the guidance of a physician to help manage symptoms. The specific analysis is as follows:
1. Niuhuang Jiedu Tablets
Niuhuang Jiedu Tablets have effects of clearing heat and detoxifying, cooling blood, and promoting blood circulation. They can be used to relieve fever, mouth ulcers, and other symptoms associated with heat toxicity. If smallpox patients experience such symptoms, they may take this medication under medical supervision to alleviate discomfort.
2. Yinqiao Jiedu Pills
Yinqiao Jiedu Pills are primarily composed of herbal ingredients including honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica), forsythia, mint, schizonepeta, fermented soybean, and arctium seed. These pills function to release exterior patterns with cooling properties, clear heat, and detoxify. Their antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties may help relieve symptoms caused by smallpox.
3. Huanglian Shangqing Pills
Huanglian Shangqing Pills mainly consist of Coptis (Huanglian), gardenia, forsythia, stir-fried Vitex seeds, and siler root (Fangfeng), among others. They possess heat-clearing, detoxifying, blood-cooling, and blood-activating effects. In the management of smallpox, these pills may help reduce symptoms such as fever and rash.
4. Gegen Qinlian Pills
Gegen Qinlian Pills are primarily made from kudzu root (Gegen), Scutellaria (Huangqin), Coptis (Huanglian), and honey-fried licorice. They have functions of relieving muscle tension, promoting exterior dispersion, clearing heat and detoxifying, and eliminating dampness to stop diarrhea. These actions may play a supportive role in treating smallpox patients and alleviating related symptoms.
5. Shuanghuanglian Oral Liquid
Shuanghuanglian Oral Liquid is mainly composed of honeysuckle, Scutellaria, and forsythia. It has effects of dispersing wind, resolving exterior conditions, clearing heat, and detoxifying. In the treatment of smallpox, it may help reduce fever and relieve other uncomfortable symptoms.
Patients are advised to use the above medications only under the guidance of a healthcare professional to avoid self-medication, which could lead to adverse reactions or worsening of the condition. In daily life, patients should maintain a light diet and avoid spicy or irritating foods. If any discomfort occurs, prompt medical attention is recommended.
