HANGZHOU - Chinese scientists have worked out a new herbal remedy for aplastic anemia, a potentially fatal disease that can significantly reduce patients' risk of infection and bleeding.

The herbal granules, jointly developed by specialists from 16 medical institutions in Beijing, Tianjin, Hangzhou and Guangzhou, effectively relieves anemia and enhances patients' immunity, said Dr Zhou Yuhong, a specialist on blood diseases with Zhejiang Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).

In addition, the new drug has not shown any side-effects that are common in prevalent Western therapies, said Dr Zhou, head of the research project known as "TCM intervention in chronic aplastic anemia treatment".

He said the team needed to carry out further, stricter research to prove the remedy's safety, but added, "Hopefully, the new drug will be put into clinical use in three years."

Aplastic anemia is a blood disease in which the bone marrow stops producing blood platelets and red and white blood cells. Experts said its incidence is on the rise as a result of pollution and unhealthy lifestyles.