NRICM101 (Chinese: 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.[1] The prescription has gained legal approval in several countries, the first TCM recipe to do so for COVID-19 treatment.[2] In its native Taiwan, the treatment is used in conjunction with vaccinations.[3] Amongst the formulations available are RespireAid from, and COVRelief from .[4] [5]
NRICM101 contains 10 herbal medicinal components, including indigowoad root, fish mint, Chinese skullcap, houttuynia, and licorice.[4] [6] [7]
According to the NRICM, the herbal medicine is supposed to work by preventing the SARS-CoV2 virus from binding with ACE2.[7] This would reduce the chance of severe illness.[5]
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.[4] [5]