Song Shuiqing, 45, a traditional Chinese medicine doctor at Fusong County Hospital in Jilin province, helped treat a patient diagnosed with COVID-19 in June.

"I faced a great deal of pressure initially, but after a week of treatment with TCM, I became confident as his symptoms gradually disappeared. The patient recovered after three weeks," he said.

Local ginseng is a key component of Song's prescriptions. "As the king of all herbs, ginseng is vital for restoring the immune system," he said.

Song's view is supported by Zhao Zhongzhen, vice-president of the School of Chinese Medicine at Hong Kong Baptist University.

"The most effective ingredient is ginsenoside, which can enhance immunity and help with rapid recovery," Zhao said, adding that ginseng is widely used worldwide to prevent disease and treat patients.

Tao Ran, marketing director at Jiuxin TCM's factory in Wuhan, capital of Hubei province, said the company's ginseng tea was widely welcomed by medical professionals early this year and was exported to dozens of countries.

Song, who has been focusing on use of the herb to treat difficult diseases such as myasthenia gravis, which causes abnormal weakness of certain muscles, said, "The fact that patients are recovering gives us more confidence in ginseng and TCM."