Chinese fresh herbal medicine in prevention of virus hepatitis A

Abstract

AIM: To illustrate the preventive effects of Chinese fresh herbal medicine. Dandelion and Asiatic Plantation against viral hepatitis A.

METHODS: We chose two epidemic areas where the disease was diagnosed as virus hepatitis according to the clinical and laboratory results and categorized as virus hepatitis A based on its characteristics of epidemiology. The first area is a natural farm village, where the people were asked to take the decoction of fresh herbal medicine dandelion and Asiatic Plantation. The second area is a town ship secondary school, where no such decoction was used.

RESULTS: After basic preventive measures (such as segregation of patients, disinfection of the epidemic spots, injection of placental gamma globulin to exposed children and students, publicity on health care and strengthening of water and excrement controls) taken at both areas, in the first location, a natural village with 26 famillies and 126 in habitants, only 11 (8.7%) cases new occurred after administration of the fresh herbal medicine. Meanwhile, in the other location, a secondary school with a total of 578 people not taking the herbal medicine, there were 148 (25.6%) cases. The difference was remarkable be tween the two locations.

CONCLUSION: The effects of Chinese fresh herbal medicine dandelion and Asiatic Plantation are remarkable in preventing hepatitis A and controlling the spread of the disease. It’s application is worthwhile promoting.

Key Words: Hepatitis A/prevention and control; Taraxaci mongolicum/therapeutic use; Plantago asiatica/therapeutic use