• Shi-Jia Chen, Chang-Lin Qiu, Li-Ping Zhang, Ling-Zhi Jiang, Xiao-Yu Zhao, Qun Hou, and Yan Jiang.
• The First School of Clinical Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China.
• Medicine (Baltimore). 2024 Aug 9; 103 (32): e39277e39277.

RationaleTraumatic brain injury frequently leads to prolonged coma, posing significant medical management challenges. Complementary therapies, including traditional Chinese herbal medicine, have been investigated as potential interventions in comatose patients. Chinese aromatic herbs, such as Borneolum (Bingpian), Moschus (Shexiang), and Acori tatarinowii rhizoma (Shichangpu), have long been believed to be "resuscitation with aromatics" based on traditional Chinese medicines theory.Patient ConcernsA 16-year-old male was admitted to the intensive rehabilitation unit for further treatment due to prolonged coma and frequent seizures following traumatic brain injury.DiagnosesWestern medicine diagnosed the patient as coma, diffuse axonal injury, and epilepsy. According to traditional Chinese medicine theory, the syndrome differentiation indicates a Yin-closed disease.InterventionsAccording to the patient's condition, we use the Chinese aromatic herbs as a complementary therapy.OutcomesFollowing a month-long administration, the patient's consciousness and electroencephalogram (EEG) background progressively improved. A 6-month follow-up demonstrated full arousal, though with ambulatory EEG revealing mild to moderate abnormality in the background.LessonsThe addition of Chinese aromatic herbs appears to have a beneficial effect on the patient's consciousness and EEG background. This could be attributed to the herbs' inherent pharmacological properties, as well as their potential to enhance the permeability of the blood-brain barrier to other drugs. This makes them a promising option for complementary therapy.Copyright © 2024 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

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