What question did this study set out to answer?

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of herbal medicine in relieving symptoms of patients with COVID-19 sequelae.

April 22, 2026Open Access

An Observational Study of 28 Cases of Herbal Treatment for Patients with COVID-19 Sequelae During the Pandemic in Gwangju

Key Points

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of herbal medicine in relieving symptoms of patients with COVID-19 sequelae.
Retrospective analysis of 28 patients treated with herbal medicine for 30 days.
Patients reported symptoms using questionnaires and were assessed using the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS).
Outcomes were measured at baseline, 15 days, and 30 days post-treatment.
Major symptoms such as chronic fatigue and dyspnea significantly improved post-treatment (p<0.001).
NRS scores for fatigue decreased from 5.46 to 2.04, cough from 2.32 to 0.43, and dyspnea from 3.43 to 0.96 over 30 days.
The prevalence of chronic symptoms was high, indicating substantial burden post-COVID-19.

Abstract

Purpose: This retrospective observational study analyzed the clinical outcomes of 28 patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) sequelae who received herbal medicine treatment in Gwangju during the pandemic to evaluate the potential effectiveness of Korean herbal medicine therapy.Methods: Among Gwangju residents who completed acute COVID-19 treatment and had persistent symptoms ≥4 weeks post-recovery/discharge from September 15, 2020 to January 31, 2021, 100 patients receiving ≥30 days of herbal treatment were initially identified. Twenty-eight patients with good adherence and complete medical records and symptom questionnaires were selected. Symptoms included cough, fatigue, dyspnea, anorexia, dyspepsia, myalgia, headache, dizziness, insomnia, depression, anxiety, and olfactory or gustatory dysfunction. Major symptoms were rated using the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS, 0-10) on days 0, 15, and 30, and analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA. The main prescriptions were Yikkibope-tang, Jaumbope-tang, and Gamikuibi-tang, with adjuncts (Hyeonggaeyeongyo-tang, Yeongyopaedok-san, etc.) based on symptom patterns.Results: The mean age was 47.7±13.4 years (9 males, 19 females). At ≥4 weeks post-infection, the prevalence of symptoms included chronic fatigue (85.6%), physical decline (92%), dyspnea (59.5%), cough (55%), sputum (47.7%), anorexia (65.8%), dyspepsia (58.8%), depression (69.4%), anxiety (60.4%), headache (55%), dizziness (61.3%), and insomnia (64%). NRS scores improved significantly: fatigue (5.46→3.68→2.04), chronic cough (2.32→0.96→0.43), dyspnea (3.43→1.89→0.96) at days 0/15/30 (all p<0.001). Other symptoms exhibited similar trends.Conclusion: In this case series, 30 days of herbal treatment significantly improved major post-COVID symptoms. Despite some limitations (the lack of a control group), the findings suggest the utility of herbal medicines for post-COVID and future management of respiratory sequelae.

Mark Helpful

Bookmark

Relay

View Full Paper