The pathogenesis and treatment of COVID-19 and long COVID with traditional Chinese medicine = 新冠及后遗症的中医治疗 The pathogenesis and treatment of COVID-19 and long COVID with traditional Chinese medicine = Xin guan ji hou yi zheng de Zhong yi zhi liao

"According to the World Health Organization (WHO), COVID-19 and Long COVID will remain conditions of great concern for medical practitioners for the foreseeable future. Mainstream treatments recommended for less severe cases of COVID-19 infection include isolation and taking over-the-counter or prescription painkillers, while more severe cases may require hospitalization and treatments such as ventilation. The long-term impact of post-viral conditions such as Long COVID is only beginning to emerge, and so far no effective biomedical treatment methods have been identified. Mainstream treatment is effective, but to what extent? Is there another course of treatment available for patients who do not respond well to mainstream treatments? Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is an alternative, due to its history of effectiveness in treating various viral infections such as hepatitis, mumps, the common cold, and herpes zoster. Yet although TCM has advantages in effectively regulating immunity, few practitioners have enough advanced knowledge in treating COVID-19 and Long COVID using TCM methods. This book aims to provide TCM practitioners with comprehensive, elaborate, and up-to-date information and training to manage COVID-19 and Long COVID complaints. Each chapter provides detailed discussions on complete clinical patterns of COVID-19, wide coverage on Long COVID treatments, Chinese herbs and its corresponding acupuncture treatment, provision of various clinical modifications and valuable clinical case studies"-- Provided by publisher Contents Foreword Preface About the Author List of Contributors 1 General Procedures of Treatment of COVID-19 1.1 Diagnosis of COVID-19 1.1.1 In modern medicine 1.1.1.1 According to the contact and traveling history 1.1.1.2 According to the clinical symptoms and signs 1.1.1.3 According to some laboratory tests 1.1.1.4 According to some imagine technology 1.1.2 In TCM 1.1.2.1 Diagnosis according to the etiology 1.1.2.2 Diagnosis according to the pathology 1.1.2.3 Diagnosis according to the eight principles 1.1.2.4 Diagnosis according to the organ system 1.1.2.5 Diagnosis according to the six channels, four stages, and San Jiao systems 1.1.2.6 Diagnosis according to the constitution, climate, and geographic locations 1.1.2.7 Diagnosis according to the tongue conditions 1.2 Therapeutic Principles 1.2.1 To dispel wind and eliminate cold 1.2.2 To disperse wind and clear heat 1.2.3 To dispel wind and eliminate cold-damp 1.2.4 To dispel wind and clear damp-heat 1.2.5 To disperse the lung-qi and relieve cough 1.2.6 To descend the lung-qi and relieve shortness of breath 1.2.7 To eliminate phlegm and resolve damp 1.2.8 To clear heat and reduce fever 1.2.8 To clear heat and reduce fever 1.2.9 To clear heat and purge the defecation 1.2.10 To clear heat and remove toxins 1.2.11 To cool the blood and remove toxins 1.2.12 To clear heat in the liver and regulate the gallbladder 1.2.13 To eliminate blood stasis and resolve phlegm 1.2.14 To warm the body and tonify yang 1.2.15 To tonify qi and blood 1.2.16 To warm the interior and eliminate cold 1.2.17 Nourish yin and clear deficient heat 1.3 Selection and Analysis of Formulas and Herbs 1.3.1 The formula to cause sweating and relieve the external symptoms 1.3.2 The formula to promote sweating and eliminate cold-damp 1.3.3 The formula to eliminate cold-damp and harmonize spleen and stomach 1.3.4 The formula to disperse the lung-qi and relieve cough 1.3.5 The formula to clear heat and descend the lung-qi 1.3.6 The formula to descend the lung-qi and eliminate cold-phlegm 1.3.7 The formula to clear heat and eliminate damp 1.3.8 The formula to clear heat and eliminate phlegm 1.3.9 The formula to clear heat and remove toxins 1.3.10 The formula to cool the blood and remove toxins 1.3.11 The formula to clear heat and promote the defecation 1.3.12 The formula to eliminate blood stasis and resolve phlegm 1.3.13 The formula to warm the body and tonify yang 1.3.14 The formula to tonify qi and blood 1.3.15 To warm the interior and eliminate cold 1.3.16 Nourish yin and clear deficient heat 1.4 Selection and Combination of Acupuncture Points 1.4.1 Point selection of some points to open the extraordinary meridians 1.4.2 Point selection based upon syndrome differentiation 1.4.3 Point selection based upon symptomatic treatment 1.4.4 Point selection to calm the shen and regulate the emotions 1.5 Precautions 2 TCM Treatment of Asymptomatic Infections of COVID-19 2.1 TCM Analysis Asymptomatic Infections of COVID-19 2.1.1 Definition of asymptomatic infections 2.1.2 Significance of asymptomatic infections 2.1.3 Age-related asymptomatic infections 2.1.4 Five situations of asymptomatic infections 2.2 TCM Treatment 2.2.1 TCM views of management 2.2.1.1 Importance of zheng-qi 2.2.1.2 Physical constitutions 2.2.1.3 The aims of the treatment 2.2.1.3.1 To eliminate the xie-qi completely 2.2.1.3.2 To support zheng-qi ultimately 2.2.1.3.3 To prevent further aggravation efficiently 2.2.1.3.4 To balance the physical and mental conditions sufficiently 2.2.1.4 Treatment strategies 2.2.1.4.1 To eliminate pathogenic factors 2.2.1.4.2 Protect and restore the physiological functions of the lung 2.2.1.4.3 Unblock the San Jiao 2.2.1.4.4 Support the zheng-qi 2.2.1.4.5 Regulate the emotion 2.2.2 Treatment according to syndrome differentiation 2.2.2.1 Invasion of wind-heat 2.2.2.2 Invasion of wind-cold 2.2.2.3 Invasion of cold-damp to the middle Jiao 2.2.2.4 Invasion of damp-heat to the middle Jiao 2.2.2.5 Deficiency of qi 2.2.3 Treatment according to constitutions 2.2.3.1 Peace type 2.2.3.2 Qi deficiency type 2.2.3.3 Yang deficiency type 2.2.3.4 Yin deficiency type 2.2.3.5 Phlegm-damp type 2.2.3.6 Damp-heat type 2.2.3.7 Qi stagnation type 2.2.3.8 Blood stasis type 2.2.3.9 Special hereditary quality type 3 TCM Treatment of Early Symptoms of COVID-19 3.1 TCM Analysis of Early Symptoms of COVID-19 3.1.1 Manifestations of early symptoms of COVID-19 infection 3.1.2 TCM’s mechanisms on early symptoms of COVID-19 infection 3.1.3 Six channel differentiations 3.1.3.1 Taiyang channel syndrome 3.1.3.2 Taiyang and Yangming channel syndrome 3.1.3.3 Taiyang and Shaoyang channel syndrome 3.1.3.4 Taiyang, Yangming and Shaoyang channel syndrome 3.1.3.5 Taiyang and Taiyin channel syndrome 3.1.3.6 Taiyang and Shaoyin channel syndrome 3.2 TCM Treatment 3.2.1 Taiyang channel syndrome 3.2.2 Taiyang and Yangming channel syndrome 3.2.3 Taiyang and Shaoyang channel syndrome 3.2.4 Taiyang, Yangming and Shaoyang channel syndrome 3.2.5 Taiyang and Taiyin channel syndrome 3.2.6 Taiyang and Shaoyin channel syndrome 4 TCM Treatment of Ordinary Syndromes of COVID-19 4.1 TCM Analysis of Ordinary Syndromes of COVID-19 4.1.1 Symptoms features of ordinary types of COVID-19 4.1.1.1 The chief cause 4.1.1.2 Deterioration of clinical symptoms 4.1.1.3 Disturbance of lung in dispersing the qi 4.1.2 Treatment features of ordinary types of COVID-19 4.1.2.1 The main task 4.1.2.2 Necessary to dispel external pathogens 4.1.2.3 Damp remains one of the main pathogens 4.1.2.4 Precautions should be taken in the treatment 4.1.2.5 The spleen and stomach should be cared for 4.1.2.6 Damp and heat should be treated simultaneously 4.1.2.7 Tonic is not needed 4.1.2.8 Personalized treatment is essential 4.1.2.9 Emotions need to be managed 4.1.2.10 Prevention should not be forgotten 4.1.2.11 Combination of TCM and modern medicine 4.2 TCM Treatment 4.2.1 Invasion of wind-cold with damp and toxins 4.2.2 Invasion of wind-heat with damp and toxins 4.2.3 Invasion of cold-damp and toxins 4.2.4 Invasion of toxic heat 4.2.5 Invasion of damp-heat and toxins 4.2.6 Accumulation of heat in the lung 4.2.7 Accumulation of phlegm-heat in the lung 4.2.8 Accumulation of cold-phlegm in the lung 4.2.9 Symptomatic managements 4.2.9.1 Fever 4.2.9.2 Dry cough 4.2.9.3 Muscular pain 4.2.9.4 Fatigue 4.2.9.5 Dysfunction of the throat and nose 4.2.9.6 Skin rashes 4.2.9.7 Abdominal pain and diarrhea 5 TCM Treatment of Severe Syndromes of COVID-19 5.1 TCM Analysis of Severe Syndromes of COVID-19 5.1.1 Diagnosis of severe syndromes of COVID-19 5.1.1.1 Diagnosis criteria 5.1.1.2 Viral variants related to severe cases 5.1.1.3 TCM diagnosis systems 5.1.1.4 Variety of clinical patterns in the severe stage 5.1.1.5 General TCM management 5.1.2 Pathogenesis characteristics of severe and critical syndromes 5.1.2.1 Complexity 5.1.2.2 Changeability 5.1.2.3 Severity 5.1.2.4 Lung impairment 5.1.3 Treatment precautions 5.1.3.1 Acupuncture treatment 5.1.3.2 Personalized prescription 5.1.3.3 Patent remedies 5.1.3.4 Close observation 5.1.3.5 Avoid a fixed prescription 5.1.3.6 Always consider the lung 5.2 TCM Treatment 5.2.1 Exterior cold with interior heat 5.2.1.1 Exterior cold with interior excessive heat 5.2.1.2 Invasion of cold-damp to the lung and wei system with an accumulation of excessive heat in the lung and stomach 5.2.1.3 Incomplete elimination of exterior cold, which transferred to heat and entered the interior 5.2.1.4 Exterior cold with the formation of deficient heat 5.2.2 Exterior heat with interior cold 5.2.3 Exterior cold with interior cold fluid 5.2.4 Invasion of pathogens to Shaoyang channel 5.2.5 Accumulation of heat in the lung and stomach 5.2.6 Accumulation of phlegm-heat in the lung 5.2.7 Accumulation and blockage of damp in the lung and stomach 5.2.8 Accumulation of damp-heat in the middle Jiao 5.2.9 Accumulation of excessive heat in the Yangming 5.2.9.1 Formation of heat in the Yangming channel 5.2.9.2 Formation of Yangming fu excess 5.2.10 Decline of Yang from the heart and kidney 6 TCM Treatment of COVID-19 at Convalescent Stage 6.1 TCM Analysis of COVID-19 at Convalescent Stage 6.1.1 Definition 6.1.2 Timeline of convalescence of COVID-19 6.1.3 Convalescence is defined differently for each patient 6.1.4 Features of convalescence of COVID-19 6.1.4.1 Variation of convalescence duration 6.1.4.2 Necessity of further close observation 6.1.4.3 Duration of remained positive PCR tests 6.1.4.4 Relapse of possible PCR tests 6.1.4.5 Continuation of medical care 6.1.4.6 Maintenance of personal hygiene 6.1.4.7 Difference in non-severe and severe patients 6.1.5 Importance of convalescence 6.1.5.1 Combating between zheng-qi and xie-qi 6.1.5.2 Acceleration of recovery procedures 6.1.5.3 Prevention of pathological condition deterioration 6.1.5.4 Possible donation of convalescent plasma 6.1.6 Principles of treatment at convalescent stage 6.1.6.1 General aims of treatment 6.1.6.2 Elimination of remaining pathogens 6.1.6.3 Consideration of individuality 6.2 TCM Treatment 6.2.1 Incomplete elimination of damp and toxins 6.2.2 Impairment of qi by toxic heat 6.2.3 Obstruction of qi and blood circulation 6.2.4 Deficiency of qi of lung and spleen 6.2.5 Deficiency of qi and yin 7 TCM Treatment of Side Effects of COVID-19 Vaccines 7.1 TCM Analysis of Side Effects of COVID-19 Vaccines 7.1.1 Invasion of wind-cold to the Taiyang 7.1.2 Invasion to the Shaoyang 7.1.3 Invasion to the Yangming 7.1.4 Invasion of toxic heat 7.1.5 Prolonged chronic illness and weak constitution 7.2 TCM Treatment 7.2.1 Invasion of wind-cold to the Taiyang 7.2.2 Invasion to the Shaoyang 7.2.3 Invasion of wind-heat into Yangming 7.2.4 Invasion of toxic heat 7.2.5 Patients with chronic illness and/or weak constitution 8 COVID-19 Case Study 8.1 Case 1 8.2 Case 2 8.3 Case 3 8.4 Case 4 8.5 Case 5 9 Generalization of Long COVID 9.1 Definition 9.2 Timeline of Post-acute COVID-19 9.3 Percentage of Post-acute COVID-19 Syndromes 9.4 Symptoms 9.4.1 Damage to the lungs 9.4.2 Damage to liver and kidney 9.4.3 Damage to the brain 9.4.4 Damage to cardiovascular and cerebrovascular systems 9.4.5 Damage to gastrointestinal and skin 9.5 Treatment in Modern Medicine 9.6 General TCM Aspects of Post COVID-19 Syndromes 9.6.1 TCM views on conventional medical managements 9.6.2 Pathogenesis 9.6.3 Pathogenic features of post-COVID syndromes 9.6.4 Principle of treatment 9.6.5 Treatment focus 9.6.6 Precautions of the herbal treatment 9.6.7 Precautions of the acupuncture treatment 10 Meridian Palpation Treatment for COVID-19 and Long COVID Conditions 10.1 Method of the Meridian Palpation Differentiation 10.2 Application of Meridian Palpation in COVID-19 Setting 10.2.1 Interrogation 10.2.1.1 Location of the relevant main symptom 10.2.1.2 Features and characteristic patterns of the symptom 10.2.1.3 Information associated with constitution and overall, eight principle differential diagnosis 10.2.2 Pulse reading 10.2.3 Tongue reading 10.2.4 Inspection of body surface and meridians 10.2.5 Touching/sensing 10.2.6 Palpation 10.2.6.1 Rating of pain/sensitivity upon pressure 10.2.6.2 Rating of hollowness upon pressure 10.2.7 Differential diagnosis by meridian palpation 10.2.8 Test treatment, conclusion, and formal treatment 10.2.9 Final treatment 10.3 Strategy of Meridian Selection and Point Decision 10.3.1 Procedure of test treatment and the point decision 10.3.2 The four main principles for point selection on test treatment 10.3.2.1 Principle 1: No pain, no treatment 10.3.2.2 Principle 2: No hollowness, no treatment 10.3.2.3 Principle 3: No response/effect no treatment 10.3.2.4 Principle 4: If there is no effect on the sensitized point, balance on its coupled meridian 10.4 Understanding COVID-19 by Meridian Palpation 10.4.1 COVID-19 infection and its complexity in view of meridian palpation system 10.4.1.1 The disease has a logical line of development in TCM understanding 10.4.1.2 Yang meridians are believed to be more related to the immunity function of the body 10.4.1.3 The state of qi-blood-yin-yang 10.4.1.4 The pathological product 10.4.2 Interpretation on common clinical presentations of COVID-19 infection and diagnostic advice on meridian palpation 10.4.2.1 Fatigue 10.4.2.2 Shortness of breath, chest pain or tightness 10.4.2.3 Brain fog 10.4.2.4 Difficulty sleeping 10.4.2.5 Heart palpitations 10.4.2.6 Dizziness 10.4.2.7 Pins and needles 10.4.2.8 Joint pain 10.4.2.9 Depression and anxiety 10.4.2.10 Tinnitus and earaches 10.4.2.11 Feeling sick, diarrhea, stomach aches, loss of appetite 10.4.2.12 A high temperature, cough, headache, sore throat, change to sense of smell or taste 10.4.2.13 Skin rashes 10.5 Case Study 11 TCM Treatment of Long COVID 11.1 Fatigue 11.1.1 TCM understanding of Long COVID associated fatigue 11.1.1.1 Accumulation of damp-phlegm 11.1.1.2 Emotional disorders 11.1.1.3 Deficiency of qi and yang 11.1.1.4 Deficiency of blood and yin 11.1.2 TCM treatment of Long COVID-associated fatigue 11.1.2.1 Accumulation of damp-phlegm 11.1.2.2 Stagnation of qi 11.1.2.3 Deficiency of qi and yang 11.1.2.4 Deficiency of yin 11.2 Breathlessness 11.2.1 TCM’s understanding of Long COVID-associated breathlessness 11.2.1.1 Incomplete elimination of external pathogenic factors 11.2.1.2 Accumulation of damp-phlegm 11.2.1.3 Stagnation of qi 11.2.1.4 Deficiency of qi 11.2.2 TCM treatment of Long COVID-associated breathlessness 11.2.2.1 Incomplete elimination of external pathogenic factors 11.2.2.2 Accumulation of damp-phlegm 11.2.2.3 Stagnation of qi 11.2.2.4 Stagnation of blood 11.2.2.5 Deficiency of qi 11.3 Joint Pain 11.3.1 TCM understanding of Long COVID-associated joint pain 11.3.1.1 Incomplete elimination of external pathogenic factors 11.3.1.2 Accumulation of damp in the body 11.3.1.3 Stagnation of qi and blood 11.3.1.4 Deficiency of qi and blood 11.3.2 TCM treatment of Long COVID-associated joint pain 11.3.2.1 Incomplete elimination of external pathogenic factors 11.3.2.2 Accumulation of damp-phlegm 11.3.2.3 Stagnation of qi and blood 11.3.2.4 Deficiency of qi and blood 11.4 Chest Pain 11.4.1 TCM understanding of Long COVID-associated chest pain 11.4.1.1 Incomplete elimination of external pathogenic factors 11.4.1.2 Accumulation of damp-phlegm 11.4.1.3 Emotional disturbance 11.4.1.4 Deficiency of qi and yang 11.4.2 TCM treatment of Long COVID-associated chest pain 11.4.2.1 Blockage of the chest-yang by external pathogenic factors 11.4.2.2 Accumulation of damp-phlegm 11.4.2.3 Stagnation of qi 11.4.2.4 Stagnation of blood 11.4.2.5 Deficiency of qi and yang 11.5 Headache 11.5.1 TCM understanding of Long COVID-associated headache 11.5.1.1 Incomplete elimination of external pathogenicfactors 11.5.1.1 Incomplete elimination of external pathogenic factors 11.5.1.2 Emotional disturbance 11.5.1.3 Accumulation of damp-phlegm 11.5.1.4 Deficiency of qi and blood 11.5.2 TCM treatment of Long COVID-associated headache 11.5.2.1 Disturbed head by external wind-damp 11.5.2.2 Stagnation of liver-qi 11.5.2.3 Flaring up of liver-fire 11.5.2.4 Stagnation of Blood 11.5.2.5 Blockage of the clear-yang by damp-phlegm 11.5.2.6 Deficiency of qi 11.5.2.7 Deficiency of blood 11.6 Myalgia 11.6.1 TCM understanding of Long COVID-associated myalgia 11.6.1.1 Remaining external pathogenic factors 11.6.1.2 Accumulation of damp in the body 11.6.1.3 Emotional disturbance 11.6.1.4 Deficiency of qi and blood 11.6.2 TCM treatment of Long COVID-associated myalgia 11.6.2.1 Remaining external pathogenic factors 11.6.2.2 Accumulation of damp-phlegm in the spleen 11.6.2.3 Stagnation of qi and blood 11.6.2.4 Deficiency of qi and blood 11.7 Cough 11.7.1 TCM understanding of Long COVID-associated cough 11.7.1.1 Incomplete elimination of external pathogenic factors 11.7.1.2 Accumulation of damp-phlegm 11.7.1.3 Deficiency of qi or yin 11.7.2 TCM treatment of COVID-19-associated cough 11.7.2.1 Remaining some external pathogenic factors 11.7.2.2 Accumulation of phlegm-turbidity in the lung 11.7.2.3 Accumulation of phlegm-heat in the lung 11.7.2.4 Deficiency of lung-qi 11.7.2.5 Deficiency of lung-yin 11.8 Loss of Smell and Taste 11.8.1 TCM understanding of Long COVID-associated LST 11.8.1.1 Dysfunction of meridians 11.8.1.2 Disturbance to the Brain-Shen 11.8.1.3 Impairment of zang-fu organs 11.8.2 TCM treatment of Long COVID-associated LST 11.8.2.1 Promote the function of the meridians 11.8.2.2 Symptomatic local treatment 11.8.2.3 Auxiliary techniques 11.8.2.4 Regulation of relevant meridians 11.8.2.5 Regulation of internal zang-fu organs 11.8.2.6 Calm the Brain-Shen and open the clear orifices 11.9 Sicca Syndrome 11.9.1 TCM understanding of Long COVID-associated Sicca syndrome 11.9.1.1 Remaining of toxic fire 11.9.1.2 Emotional disturbance 11.9.1.3 Deficiency of yin and blood 11.9.2 TCM treatment of Long COVID-associated Sicca syndrome 11.9.2.1 Hyperactivity of toxic fire 11.9.2.2 Deficiency of yin 11.9.2.3 Deficiency of blood 11.10 Rhinitis 11.10.1 TCM understanding of Long COVID-associated rhinitis 11.10.1.1 Incomplete elimination of wind-cold 11.10.1.2 Weakness of qi in the lung and spleen 11.10.1.3 Formation of phlegm-heat 11.10.2 TCM treatment of Long COVID-associated rhinitis 11.10.2.1 Remaining external pathogenic factors 11.10.2.2 Deficiency of qi of the lung and spleen 11.10.2.3 Accumulation of phlegm-heat in the lung and nose 11.11 Red Eyes 11.11.1 TCM understanding of Long COVID-associated red eyes 11.11.1.1 Remaining toxins and heat in the blood 11.11.1.2 Disturbance of the emotions 11.11.1.3 Accumulation of damp-heat in the liver 11.11.1.4 Prolonged sickness or weak constitution 11.11.2 TCM treatment of Long COVID-associated red eyes 11.11.2.1 Accumulation of toxic heat in the blood 11.11.2.2 Flaming of liver-fire 11.11.2.3 Accumulation of damp-heat in the liver 11.11.2.4 Deficiency of the yin of the liver and kidney 11.12 Sputum Production 11.12.1 TCM understanding of Long COVID-associated sputum production 11.12.1.1 Incomplete elimination of external pathogenic factors 11.12.1.2 Accumulation of damp-phlegm 11.12.1.3 Accumulation of damp with stagnation of blood 11.12.1.4 Deficiency of qi or yang 11.12.2 TCM treatment of Long COVID-associated sputum production 11.12.2.1 Incomplete elimination of external damp 11.12.2.2 Accumulation of phlegm-turbidity 11.12.2.3 Mixture of damp with stagnant blood 11.12.2.4 Deficiency of qi and yang 11.13 Loss of Appetite 11.13.1 TCM understanding of Long COVID-associated loss of appetite 11.13.1.1 Accumulation of damp-phlegm 11.13.1.2 Emotional disorders 11.13.1.3 Deficiency of qi or yang 11.13.2 TCM treatment of Long COVID-associated loss of appetite 11.13.2.1 Accumulation of damp-phlegm 11.13.2.2 Disharmony between the liver and stomach 11.13.2.3 Deficiency of qi and yang of the spleen 11.14 Sore Throat 11.14.1 TCM understanding of Long COVID-associated sore throat 11.14.1.1 Incomplete elimination of external pathogenic factors 11.14.1.2 Accumulation of damp-phlegm 11.14.1.3 Disturbance of the emotions 11.14.1.4 Formation of internal heat 11.14.1.5 Prolonged sickness or weak constitution 11.14.2 TCM treatment of Long COVID-associated sore throat 11.14.2.1 Remaining toxic heat 11.14.2.2 Accumulation of damp-phlegm in the throat 11.14.2.3 Stagnation of liver-qi 11.14.2.4 Hyperactivity of stomach-fire 11.14.2.5 Deficiency of lung-yin 11.15 Dizziness 11.15.1 TCM understanding of Long COVID-associated dizziness 11.15.1.1 Emotional disturbance 11.15.1.2 Blockage of clear-yang by damp-phlegm 11.15.1.3 Deficiency of qi and blood 11.15.2 TCM treatment of Long COVID associated dizziness 11.15.2.1 Stagnation of liver-qi 11.15.2.2 Flaring-up of liver-fire 11.15.2.3 Blockage of the clear-yang by damp-phlegm 11.15.2.4 Deficiency of qi 11.15.2.5 Deficiency of blood 11.16 Diarrhea 11.16.1 TCM understanding of Long COVID-associated diarrhea 11.16.1.1 Incomplete elimination of external pathogenic factors 11.16.1.2 Emotional disturbance 11.16.1.3 Accumulation of damp-phlegm 11.16.1.4 Deficiency of qi or yang 11.16.2 TCM treatment of Long COVID-associated diarrhea 11.16.2.1 Incomplete elimination of cold-damp 11.16.2.2 Accumulation of damp-phlegm in the spleen 11.16.2.3 Disharmony between the liver and spleen 11.16.2.4 Deficiency of spleen-qi 11.16.2.5 Deficiency of yang of the spleen and kidney 11.16.2.6 Deficiency of yang of the heart and spleen 11.17 Psychological and Neuropsychiatric Disorders 11.17.1 TCM understanding of Long COVID-associated psychological and neuropsychiatric disorders 11.17.1.1 Disorders of xing 11.17.1.2 Disorder of qi 11.17.1.3 Disorder of shen 11.17.2 TCM treatment of Long COVID-associated psychological and neuropsychiatric disorders 11.17.2.1 The strategy of herbal treatment 11.17.2.1.1 Remaining external pathogenic factors 11.17.2.1.2 Accumulation of damp-phlegm 11.17.2.1.3 Stagnation of liver-qi 11.17.2.1.4 Disturbance of heart and gallbladder by damp-heat 11.17.2.1.5 Deficiency of qi and blood 11.17.2.1.6 Deficiency of yin 11.17.2.2 The strategy of acupuncture treatment 11.17.2.2.1 Adjustment of xing 11.17.2.2.2 Regulation of qi 11.17.2.2.3 Stabilization of shen 11.18 Excessive Sweating 11.18.1 TCM understanding of Long COVID-associated excessive sweating 11.18.1.1 Disturbance of ying and wei systems 11.18.1.2 Deficiency of qi and yin 11.18.1.3 Accumulation of excessive heat 11.18.1.4 Formation of damp-heat 11.18.2 TCM treatment of Long COVID-associated excessive sweating 11.18.2.1 Disharmony between ying and wei 11.18.2.2 Deficiency of qi 11.18.2.3 Deficiency of qi and yin 11.18.2.3 Deficiency of qi and yin 11.18.2.4 Deficiency of yin with hyperactivity of deficient fire 11.18.2.5 Accumulation of internal heat 11.18.2.6 Accumulation of damp-heat 11.19 Sleep Disorders 11.19.1 TCM understanding of Long COVID-associated sleep disorders 11.19.1.1 Incomplete elimination of external pathogenic factors 11.19.1.2 Emotional disturbance 11.19.1.3 Accumulation of damp-heat 11.19.1.4 Deficiency of qi, blood, yin, and yang 11.19.2 TCM treatment of Long COVID-associated sleep disorders 11.19.2.1 Disturbed head by external damp 11.19.2.2 Stagnation of qi in the liver and heart 11.19.2.3 Hyperactivity of fire of the liver and heart 11.19.2.4 Stagnation of blood 11.19.2.5 Disturbance of damp-heat to the gallbladder and heart 11.19.2.6 Deficiency of qi of lung and heart 11.19.2.7 Deficiency of heart-blood 11.19.2.8 Deficiency of heart-yin with hyperactivity of deficient fire 11.20 Hearing Loss or Tinnitus 11.20.1 TCM understanding of Long COVID associated hearing loss or tinnitus 11.20.1.1 Damage to the collaterals by external pathogenic factors 11.20.1.2 Emotional disturbance 11.20.1.3 Blockage of the ear by damp-phlegm 11.20.1.4 Deficiency of qi and blood 11.20.2 TCM treatment of Long COVID associated hearing loss or tinnitus 11.20.2.1 Damage to the collaterals by external pathogenic factors 11.20.2.2 Stagnation of liver-qi 11.20.2.3 Flaring-up of liver-fire 11.20.2.4 Blockage of the clear-yang by damp-phlegm 11.20.2.5 Deficiency of qi and blood 11.21 Brain Fog 11.21.1 TCM understanding of Long COVID-associated brain fog 11.21.1.1 Blockage of clear-yang by damp-phlegm 11.21.1.2 Emotional disturbance 11.21.1.3 Deficiency of qi, blood and kidney-jing 11.21.2 TCM treatment of Long COVID-associated brain fog 11.21.2.1 Blockage of the clear-yang by damp-phlegm 11.21.2.2 Stagnation of liver-qi 11.21.2.3 Deficiency of qi 11.21.2.4 Deficiency of blood 11.22 Hair Loss 11.22.1 TCM understanding of Long COVID-associated hair loss 11.22.1.1 Emotional disturbance 11.22.1.2 Blockage of the collaterals by damp-phlegm 11.22.1.3 Stagnation of blood 11.22.1.4 Deficiency of qi, blood and kidney-jing 11.22.2 TCM treatment of Long COVID-associated hair loss 11.22.2.1 Stagnation of liver-qi 11.22.2.2 Blockage of the collaterals by damp-phlegm 11.22.2.3 Stagnation of blood 11.22.2.4 Deficiency of qi 11.22.2.5 Deficiency of blood 12 Long COVID Case Study 12.1 Case 1 12.2 Case 2 12.3 Case 3 12.4 Case 4 12.5 Case 5 12.6 Case 6