NRICM101

NRICM101 (清冠一號; Taiwan: Chingguan Yihau; Mainland: Qīng-guān Yī-hào), is a treatment for COVID-19 developed in Taiwan using Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), created by the National Research Institute of Chinese Medicine (NRICM), a governmental body of Taiwan. The prescription has gained legal approval in several countries, the first TCM recipe to do so for COVID-19 treatment. In its native Taiwan, the treatment is used in conjunction with vaccinations. Amongst the formulations available are RespireAid from Sun Ten, and COVRelief from Chuang Song Zong.

Formulation
NRICM101 contains 10 herbal medicinal components, including indigowoad root, fish mint, Chinese skullcap, houttuynia, and licorice.

Method of action
According to the NRICM, the herbal medicine is supposed to work by preventing the SARS-CoV2 virus from binding with ACE2. This would reduce the chance of severe illness.

Distribution
On 2021 May 18, Taiwan licensed NRICM101 for distribution under emergency access policy. It became available as dietary supplement in the U.S., the UK, Australia, the EU.