If you believe the news, the flu has been worse this year than almost any year in recent memory. Whether or not that particular sentiment is actual fact or media hyperbole, it remains, the flu has been at least somewhat more intense this year than in some years past.

Medical experts, doctors, and health officials from all walks have continued to tout the flu shot, even though there is lots of evidence that’s showing this year’s flu shot to be extremely inadequate. The CDC, however, this week, has argued that they were originally wrong and the flu shot has been great.

The use of holistic, alternative medicines and treatments have been on the rise for the past decade and this year’s flu season is no exception. In New York City, an ancient, herbal Chinese cough medicine has been flying from the shelves of the Pearl River Mart. The illness remedy dates back to the Qing Dynasty.

Nin Jiom Pei Pa Koa, which has the main ingredient, fritillaria bulbs, and a sweet fruit named loquat, has been selling like hot cakes ever since the flu season started.

“I think it has something to do with the whole changing of the world,” said Ching Yeh Chen, managing member at Pearl River Mart, via cgtn. “Because Chinese things used to be a secret (and) now the secret is gradually open. It’s like a treasure box. You see more and more things and this is one of them.”

Interestingly enough, a Hong Kong-based pharmaceutical company is the maker of Nin Jiom Pei Pa Koa and the uptick in positive talk over the remedy has caused more sales.

But of course, “medical experts” in the United States are worried that this product may be replacing flu shots.

“That sort of medicine hasn’t been proven in good scientific studies to protect a person from getting the flu, so I do worry about people taking medicines that are not well regulated or may have side effects or interactions with other medications,” said Keith Brenner, a pulmonary doctor at Columbia University’s Medical Center.

Brenner says the best protection against influenza is the flu vaccine.