Boundary and scope: the dilemma of Chinese herbal medicine practice in the US concerning incidents during the COVID-19 pandemic

CHEN Yemeng*

[Abstract]During COVID-19 pandemic, Chinese herbal medicine practices in the United States face challenges for Chinese herbal products application. The FDA has issued at least seven warning letters for alleging these products help to prevent, treat, mitigate, diagnose, or cure coronavirus disease 2019. Although Chinese herbal medicine has been imported to America for about two hundred years, the Chinese herbal products are categorized as dietary supplements and Chinese herbal medicine practices have limited scope and larger boundaries, which push the Unites States with Chinese herbal medicine practices far more behind. A CLAP (Compliance, Lobby, Adaptation, and Promotion) action plan is proposed to advance Chinese herbal medicine development in America.

[Key words] Chinese Herbal Medicine; Dietary Supplement; Dilemma; COVID-19; United States

边界与范围:新冠肺炎疫情期间美国中草药实践的困境

[摘要]2019新型冠状病毒病(COVID-19)大流行期间，美国中草药应用面临挑战。虽然中草药进口到美国已有200多年的历史，但中草药产品被归类为膳食补充剂，中草药实践范围有限、所受限制很大，这使得美国的中草药实践远远落后于美国发展。一项名为CLAP(合规、游说、适应和促进)的行动计划被提出，以促进美国的中草药发展。

[关键词]中草药； 膳食补充剂； 困境； COVID-19； 美国