Public opinion may not know what to think: After all, can the traditional Chinese medicine formula Lianhua Qingwen help prevent and fight the epidemic? "Its main effects are clearing heat, detoxifying and removing lung heat," the bureau said.

Lily of the Lianhua Qingwen - Have you heard of it?

If a reader is in Macau, Hong Kong or China and has contracted COVID-19, the 13-ingredient drug, which includes honeysuckle and almonds, is likely to have been given to you to prevent or treat the effects of COVID-19. During the infamous outbreak in Shanghai last year, for example, it was widely spread to the city's residents.

In the "COVID-19 Diagnosis and Treatment Protocol (Trial 9th Edition)" published by the Chinese government in March 2022, according to a report by Biospace, "Lianhua Qingwen capsule is recommended for the prevention and control of medical observation populations and mild and general patients during clinical treatment." Since the outbreak of COVID-19, Lianhua Qingwen pill has been recommended for the treatment of COVID-19 six times in the national program, "he said.

But in April, things changed a lot.

Global Times, a newspaper affiliated with the official People's Daily, wrote: "Chinese drug maker Shijiazhuang Yiling Pharmaceutical, a supplier of Chinese herbal medicine Lianhua Qingwen, is suffering a heavy blow after an influential health platform said the famous medicine could not prevent people from contracting COVID-19." .

The outlet added: "Health platform Dingdingprebiotic published an article stating that Lianhua Qingwen does not prevent infection and advised the public not to take it as a preventive medicine. "Lianhua Qingwen Fever is widely used to treat COVID-19 patients in China and is being distributed to residents in Shanghai." . "The drug may cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and rashes."