TCM influenza research surges after 2020, shifting from clinical practice to mechanistic studiesTraditional Chinese Medicine Research on Influenza Surges After 2020

ObjectivesAs an acute respiratory infectious disease, influenza continues to impose a substantial public health burden worldwide. This study aims to systematically review the progress of research on the treatment of influenza with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) from 2005 to 2025, identify current research hotspots, and forecast future development trends, in order to provide a clear and systematic reference framework for subsequent research.MethodsA bibliometric and scientometric analysis was conducted using the Web of Science Core Collection (WOSCC), PubMed, and Scopus databases. Following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, the retrieved records underwent a comprehensive deduplication process and stringent quality control checks. By comprehensively applying CiteSpace, VOSviewer, and the R-based Bibliometrix package, metrics and visualization were performed across multiple dimensions, including publication volume, geographical contribution, annual trends, national/regional influence, core authors and institutions, and keywords.ResultsA total of 1,527 publications were included in this study. Since 2014, publication output in this field has shown significant growth, with a rapid upward trend emerging after 2020. At the national and institutional level, China ranked first globally in both the number of publications and total citation frequency. Research institutions in China not only serve as the dominant force in this field but also act as hubs for international collaboration. Notable contributions were made by institutions such as the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, and the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences. Journal analysis revealed that the Journal of Ethnopharmacology is the most influential journal in this domain. In terms of scholarly impact, Yang Zifeng ranked first in both h-index and publication output, establishing them as the most prolific and influential core scholar in the field. Keyword analysis indicated that research focuses on core themes such as “herbal medicine” and “antiviral activity.” The evolutionary trajectory demonstrates a shift from traditional clinical practice toward modern mechanistic investigation. Driven by emerging public health events such as COVID-19, the field has rapidly integrated cutting-edge methodologies like network pharmacology, reflecting distinct characteristics of contemporary responsiveness and interdisciplinary convergence.ConclusionThis analysis confirms that TCM for influenza has matured into a structured and interdisciplinary research field. Substantial evidence supports its multi-component and multi-target therapeutic model as a clinically effective strategy against influenza. Future efforts should prioritize the integration of mechanistic insights with standardized clinical translation to enhance global antiviral preparedness.