IN DEMAND: Dr Low showing some Chinese herbs used for flu treatment

KUALA LUMPUR: Chinese traditional herbs have been in great demand following claims that can be used to treat Influenza A (H1N1).

Malay Mail spoke with two practitioners, known as Sinseh, to find out if there was any truth to the claims.

"I would not say that the herbs can cure H1N1, but I can say that it can help prevent the flu and its symptoms," said Dr Low Yean Ming, a traditional Chinese medical practitioner.

He said many of his patients who had symptoms similar to H1N1 have been cured.

"They were not H1N1 patients, most probably influenza-like illnesses, but they were back in good health after consuming some of the herbs," he added.

Dr Low said the herbs — Lonicera Japonica Thund (Jin Yin Hua), Isatis Indigodica (Ban Lan Gen), Mentha Haplocalyx Brip (Bo He Ye) and Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Gan Cao) — were available in most Chinese medicine shops. It's sold either separately or premixed in packets.

Another practitioner, Lee Tiow Seng, said within two weeks he sold about 100 packets of the herbs. It was reported that Chinese herbs were effective in the cure of H1N1 in Ditan Hospital, Beijing, China, where 88 out of 117 patients treated for H1N1, fully recovered. The traditional method of treatment had no side-effects.

The recovery period was shorter and the cost is said to be relatively lower  compared with Tamiflu (a mainstream antiviral treatment).

Meanwhile, Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said a working group with China's health authorities was formed after it was found that Chinese traditional medicine can prevent H1N1 from spreading.

"Apparently, Chinese medicine can prevent H1N1. A lot of work has been put into research and application of Chinese traditional medicine to combat H1N1 in China.

"I will get details from China soon on how to do it," Liow said.