Currently, many patients with malignant tumors have adopted Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) approaches for treatment. What are the effects of TCM in managing malignant tumors?
Today, I will explain how TCM regulates tumors. First, I need to clarify a common misconception: that tumors are synonymous with incurable diseases. Although tumors are still considered difficult diseases, we are not powerless against them, and tumors do not equate to death.
TCM emphasizes a holistic view, where factors such as the natural environment, seasonal changes, climate variations, and geographical conditions significantly impact the human body. The muscles, bones, skin, and internal organs are interconnected through meridians, forming a complete system.
The pathological changes in a specific part of the body often reflect an imbalance of qi, blood, yin, and yang throughout the body, so we cannot treat a headache just by addressing the head or a foot pain just by treating the foot. Secondly, the core of TCM treatment is syndrome differentiation and treatment, which simply means that treatment varies from person to person.
Recently, many friends have left comments asking about the dosage of the formulas I previously mentioned.
I want to inform everyone that TCM uses the four diagnostic methods: observation, listening, inquiry, and palpation, to gain a comprehensive understanding of each patient’s condition, including the cause, nature, and location of the disease. Based on this, we formulate prescriptions and medications tailored to each patient’s specific symptoms.
Pathologically, TCM considers tumors to be a disease of deficiency of the righteous qi and excess of pathogenic factors. The righteous qi refers to the normal physiological functions of our internal organs and our body’s ability to resist disease. The pathogenic factors are various carcinogenic elements, which can be external or internal.
TCM’s approach to tumor management primarily focuses on strengthening the righteous qi and eliminating pathogenic factors. The specific pathogenic factors related to tumors include three aspects: phlegm-dampness, blood stasis, and cancer toxins. These three pathogenic factors intertwine and may ultimately form tangible tumors.
If the tumor is superficial, it can be seen and felt; if it is internal, we can detect it through CT or ultrasound. As mentioned earlier, the deficiency of the righteous qi can manifest in various forms, such as qi deficiency, blood deficiency, yin deficiency, and yang deficiency. Therefore, the general principle for regulating tumors is encapsulated in four words: strengthen the righteous qi and eliminate pathogenic factors.
Today, I will share a formula that can tonify qi, nourish yin, strengthen the spleen and stomach, and eliminate tumors and dissipate masses, called Fu Zheng Xiao Liu Tang (Righteous Qi Strengthening and Tumor Dissolving Decoction).
This formula consists of Sheng Huang Qi (Radix Astragali), Bai Zhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis), Jiao Gu Lan (Gynostemma), Shi Hu (Dendrobium), Sheng Yi Yi Ren (Job’s Tears), Zhu Ling (Polyporus), Bai Hua She She Cao (Hedyotis Diffusa), Teng Li Gen (Root of Ampelopsis), Ye Pu Tao Gen (Wild Grape Root), Ba Yue Zha (Eight-Month Zha), Tian San Qi (Panax Notoginseng), Ji Nei Jin (Endothelium Corneum Gigeriae Galli), and Sheng Gan Cao (Radix Glycyrrhizae).
Shi Hu (Dendrobium) and Huang Qi (Radix Astragali) strengthen the spleen and tonify qi to support the body’s foundation. Jiao Gu Lan (Gynostemma) enhances immunity to support the body against cancer. Shi Hu (Dendrobium) and Sheng Gan Cao (Radix Glycyrrhizae) nourish yin, generate fluids, and clear heat. Bai Hua She She Cao (Hedyotis Diffusa), Teng Li Gen (Root of Ampelopsis), Ye Pu Tao Gen (Wild Grape Root), E Zhu (Curcuma), Ba Yue Zha (Eight-Month Zha), and San Qi (Panax Notoginseng) clear heat, detoxify, eliminate tumors, and invigorate qi and resolve stasis. Sheng Yi Yi Ren (Job’s Tears) and Zhu Ling (Polyporus) transform turbidity and inhibit cancer. Ji Nei Jin (Endothelium Corneum Gigeriae Galli) strengthens the spleen and stomach to resolve accumulation.
The entire formula works to strengthen the spleen and stomach, tonify qi and nourish yin, clear heat and detoxify, and resolve stasis and eliminate tumors.
Additionally, adjustments can be made based on symptoms.
If there is dryness of the mouth and throat, add Sha Shen (Glehnia); for nausea and vomiting, add Qing Ban Xia (Pinellia) and Dan Zhu Ye (Lophatherum); for pain, add Yan Hu Suo (Corydalis) and Wu Gong (Scolopendra); for difficulty swallowing, add Ji Zi (Citrus) and Wei Ling Xian (Clematis); for hard masses, add Shan Ci Gu (Bletilla) and Huang Yao Zi (Huang Yao); for excessive heat toxins, add Ling Yang Jiao (Antelope Horn), Mao Ren Shen (Ginseng), and Sheng Da Huang (Rhubarb).
Sha Shen (Glehnia)
Depending on the location of the cancer, additional guiding herbs may be added to enhance the efficacy of the treatment.
This formula is suitable for patients with various malignant tumors characterized by deficiency of both qi and yin, and deficiency of the righteous qi with excess pathogenic factors. When combined with radiotherapy and chemotherapy, it can reduce toxicity and enhance efficacy, and when used before and after surgery, it can boost immunity, promote recovery, and prevent recurrence.
TCM believes that “wherever the evil gathers, the qi must be deficient”; “when the righteous qi is preserved internally, the evil cannot invade.” The formation of tumors is often due to the internal deficiency of righteous qi and the stagnation of external pathogenic factors. Once a tumor forms, it will consume qi and damage blood, leading to deficiency due to the disease. Strengthening the righteous qi and detoxifying while eliminating tumors can regulate the body’s yin and yang, enhance immune function, and effectively prevent the occurrence and development of tumors.
Finally, please note that TCM emphasizes individualized treatment; do not blindly self-medicate. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me.
