Table 1 The composition, indications and side effects of 6 prescriptions in COVID-19 treatment

Lianhua Qingwen capsule/granule

Isatis tinctoria L. (Banlangen), Forsythiae Fructus (Lianqiao), Lonicera japonica Thunb. (Jinyinhua), Dryopteris crassirhizoma Nakai (Mianmaguanzhong), Ephedra sinica Stapf (Mahuang), Prunus armeniaca L. (Kuxingren), Houttuynia cordata Thunb. (Yuxingcao), Pogostemon cablin (Blanco) Benth. (Guanghuoxiang), Rhodiola crenulata (Hook.f. & Thomson) H. Ohba (Hongjingtian), Rheum officinale Baill. (Dahuang), Glycyrrhiza inflata Batalin (Gancao), Gypsum Fibrosum (Shigao), l-menthol (Bohenao)

Fever or high fever, chills, muscle soreness, stuffy nose, runny nose, cough, headache, dry throat, sore throat, red tongue, yellow tongue coating

Nausea, poor appetite, abdominal distention, itchy skin

Jinhua Qinggan granule

Lonicera japonica Thunb. (Jinyinhua), Gypsum Fibrosum (Shigao), Ephedra sinica Stapf (Mahuang), Prunus armeniaca L. (Kuxingren), Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi (Huangqin), Forsythia suspensa (Thunb.) Vahl (Lianqiao), Fritillaria thunbergii Miq. (Zhebeimu), Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bunge (Zhimu), Arctium lappa L. (Niubangzi), Artemisia annua L. (Qinghao), Mentha canadensis L. (Bohe), Glycyrrhiza inflata Batalin (Gancao)

Mild influenza symptoms with fever, headache, muscle pain, sore throat, cough, stuffy nose and runny nose

Nausea, vomit, diarrhea, stomach discomfort. Seldom: abnormal liver function, heart palpitation and rash

XueBiJing injection

Paeonia lactiflora Pall. (Chishao), Conioselinum anthriscoides ‘Chuanxiong’ (Chuanxiong), Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge (Danshen), Carthamus tinctorius L. (Honghua), Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels (Danggui)

Fever, shortness of breath, heart palpitation, restlessness

Itchy skin

LungCleansing and detoxifying decoction

Ephedra sinica Stapf (Mahuang) 9 g, Roasted Glycyrrhiza glabra L. 6 g, Prunus amygdalus Batsch 9 g, Raw Gypsum (decocting first) 15–30 g, Guizhi 9 g, Alisma plantago-aquatica L. 9 g, Polyporus 9 g, Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz. (Baizhu) 9 g, Poria Cocos 15 g, Bupleurum chinense DC. (Chaihu) 16 g, Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi 6 g, Pinellia ternata 9 g, Zingiber officinale Roscoe 9 g, Aster tataricus L.f. 9 g, Tussilago farfara L. (Donghua) 9 g, Iris domestica (L.) Goldblatt & Mabb. (Shegan) 9 g, Asarum sieboldii Miq. 6 g, Dioscorea alata L. 12 g, Zhishi 6 g, Chenpi 6 g, Pogostemon cablin (Blanco) Benth. (Huoxiang) 9 g

Mild, moderate, severe and critical patients. Prescription for disease treatment, not recommended for prevention

N/A

Huashibaidu formula

Ephedra sinica Stapf 6 g, Prunus amygdalus Batsch 9 g, Gypsum 15 g, Paeonia lactiflora Pall. 10 g, Ageratum conyzoides L. 10 g, Lepidium Seed 10 g, Glycyrrhiza glabra L. 3 g, Pinellia ternata 9 g, Poria Cocos 15 g, Fructus Tsaoko 10 g, Cablin Atractylodes 15 g, Astragalus mongholicus Bunge 10 g, Magnolia Officinalis 10 g, Rheum officinale Baill. 5 g

Light, moderate and severe patients

N/A

Xuanfeibaidu granule

Ephedra sinica Stapf 6 g, Bitter Apricot Kernel 15 g, Gypsum 30 g, Raw Coix Seed 30 g, Atractylodes lancea 10 g, Pogostemon cablin (Blanco) 15 g, Artemisia abrotanum L. 12 g, Reynoutria japonica Houtt. 20 g, Verbena officinalis L. 30 g, Dried Phragmites australis 30 g, Lepidium didymum L. Seed 15 g, Citrus maxima 15 g, Raw Glycyrrhiza glabra L. 10 g

Light and moderate patients

N/A