Donating TCM Herbs to COVID-19 Front-Line Responders: 100,000 Doses & Counting

During the COVID-19 pandemic, taking care of front-line responders – the ones who take care of us – has been a priority. From N95 masks and other protective equipment, to food for health care workers' families, to free childcare while they work; individuals and organizations continue to step up.

But what about helping front-line responders with potential treatment options for their patients – particularly nondrug options? With all the talk about medications and a vaccine, let's not forget that in some countries, herbal medicine is being both recommended and effectively utilized as a COVID-19 treatment strategy.

Recognizing this, the TCM herbal community is stepping up. Case in point: Tianjiang Pharmaceutical, whose U.S. distributor, Treasure of the East, recently announced that the parent company has donated more than 100,000 doses of herbs to health care professionals in the United States, China, Italy and other pandemic "hot spots" worldwide.

A Treasure of the East press release documents the ongoing donation efforts:

• "Within 65 days starting in February, Tianjiang supplied herbs to 45,000 front-line workers in Hubei Province and to another 10,000 front-line workers elsewhere in China."
• "In March, when the pandemic quickly spread through Northern Italy, China's Pandemic Expert Team traveled to Italy to assist in the response. The Chinese team deployed to Italy with 9,000 kg of medical supplies and aid, including 56,000 doses of herbal formulas donated by Tianjiang."
• "In the U.S., Treasure of the East and Tianjiang arranged for the emergency production and air shipment of 20,000 doses of the herbal formula Jade Screen Double Strength for donation to TCM organizations and U.S. hospitals. The formula was given to support front-line medical workers at hospitals across the U.S., including New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York Medical College, Boston Medical Center, UCSF Medical Center, UCLA Medical Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Mercy General Hospital, Scripps Memorial Hospital and Providence St. John's Health Center."
• "Treasure of the East and Tianjiang also partnered with the San Francisco-based American Association of Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture and New York-based Herb Care US to make Treasure of the East herbs available to other health care organizations and COVID-positive individuals."
• "In August 2020, Tianjiang donated another three commercial jet airplanes full of TCM herbs for use within China."

According to the press release, similar efforts to provide TCM expertise and herbal formulas are ongoing. Tianjiang continues to work with organizations and partners worldwide to support front-line responders and the health care community at large during the pandemic.

Editor's Note: Acupuncture Today encourages other companies and organizations making an impact on the COVID-19 pandemic to share their efforts and experiences with our readers. Submit your press release / short article (300-400 words) via email to editorial@acupuncturetoday.com.