The ancient Greek physician Hippocrates once said, “The best doctor for the patient is himself.” This emphasizes the power of one’s own vital energy and self-healing abilities. To a certain extent, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) treats diseases by stimulating and supporting the body’s vital energy (zheng qi), using it to combat illness.
On December 15, coinciding with World Immunization Day, a series of events titled “2020 Anti-Epidemic Year: Discussing Traditional Chinese Medicine” was co-hosted by Life Times and Beijing Tongrentang Technology Development Co., Ltd. The event invited Dr. Wang Jing, Deputy Chief Physician of the Hematology Oncology Department at Dongzhimen Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, to discuss how TCM addresses tumors and how to enhance the body’s vital energy through TCM methods to safeguard health.
Insufficient Vital Energy Invites External Pathogens
Vital energy and self-healing power are concepts in TCM that refer to a powerful “health steward” within our bodies, encompassing the functional activities of organs (zang fu), meridians (jing luo), and the balance of qi and blood, as well as the body’s ability to resist disease and recover, which relates to the Western medical concepts of the nervous system, immune system, and endocrine system.
TCM posits that the decisive factor in illness is insufficient vital energy, which makes the body susceptible to external pathogens. Insufficient vital energy is a common characteristic among cancer patients.
In cancer patients, the deficiency of vital energy manifests as weakened functions of the five zang organs and six fu organs, insufficient qi and blood, and an imbalance in the internal environment. Their defensive functions are poor, making it difficult to dispel pathogenic factors. The combination of external pathogenic factors and internal pathological products leads to active tumor growth, depleting qi and damaging blood, further exhausting vital energy, which can result in the tumor worsening, spreading, and metastasizing, especially evident in late-stage cancer.
TCM Treatment of Tumors Has a Long History
Cancer, characterized by localized lesions, is currently treated through various mainstream methods including surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, biological therapy, and TCM treatment.
Traditional medicine emphasizes “harmonious coexistence” in treating tumors. The human body is a whole; when vital energy (self-healing power) is balanced with pathogenic factors (carcinogenic elements), normal tissues, and tumor tissues, the body achieves harmony and optimal health. Thus, TCM works through syndrome differentiation and treatment to ensure smooth meridian flow and harmonious qi and blood. When the internal environment reaches a relatively balanced state, tumors can naturally be controlled and coexist with the body over the long term.
The main roles of TCM in treating malignant tumors are threefold: first, as an adjunctive treatment, it can enhance the efficacy of radiotherapy and chemotherapy; second, TCM formulas can stabilize tumors and alleviate symptoms; third, it can reduce the toxic side effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy, enhancing the patient’s self-healing ability.
Clinically, doctors will differentiate treatment based on the patient’s constitution and individual differences, using methods to invigorate blood circulation and dissipate nodules. Common TCM herbs for this purpose include Bie Jia (Soft-shelled Turtle Shell), Ru Xiang (Frankincense), and Mo Yao (Myrrh). For patients with qi and yin deficiency after radiotherapy and chemotherapy, herbs like Huang Qi (Astragalus), Sha Shen (Glehnia), Mai Dong (Ophiopogon), and Wu Wei Zi (Schisandra) may be used. For patients with significant heat symptoms, Niu Huang (Cattle Gallstone) can clear heart fire, Ling Yang Jiao (Antelope Horn) can clear liver fire, Bai Hua She She Cao (Oldenlandia) can detoxify, and Ban Zhi Lian (Scutellaria) can resolve toxicity. For patients with mental fatigue, herbs like She Xiang (Musk), Shi Chang Pu (Acorus), Yu Jin (Curcuma), and Bing Pian (Borneol) can awaken the spirit.
Among the ancient TCM formulas, Xihuang Wan (Western Yellow Pill), created by the famous Qing Dynasty physician Wang Hongxu, is well-known. It consists of four herbs: Niu Huang (Cattle Gallstone), She Xiang (Musk), Ru Xiang (Frankincense, vinegar-prepared), and Mo Yao (Myrrh, vinegar-prepared). It can clear heat, detoxify, reduce swelling, and dissipate nodules, suitable for colorectal cancer, esophageal cancer, breast cancer, etc.
Whether combating disease or resisting cancer, TCM emphasizes “supporting the upright and consolidating the foundation.” Therefore, in daily life, it is essential to maintain a calm mindset, balanced nutrition, reasonable daily routines, and moderate exercise. For those with insufficient vital energy and lower immunity, it is advisable to take some Lingzhi (Reishi mushroom) spore powder under medical guidance, which has the effect of calming the mind and enhancing the body’s vital energy.
Be Aware of 9 Warning Signs
The effectiveness of cancer treatment and survival time are closely related to the timing of cancer detection; the earlier it is discovered, the better the treatment outcome and the longer the survival time.
Current technological methods can detect most common cancers early. The public should also pay attention to warning signs of cancer in their bodies. If any of the following symptoms occur, timely medical diagnosis and treatment are necessary:
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Abnormal lumps appearing on the surface of the body;
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Changes in color or rapid growth of moles and warts on the skin;
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Unusual sensations such as choking or pain in the body;
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Persistent ulcers on the skin or mucous membranes that do not heal;
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Persistent indigestion and loss of appetite;
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Changes in bowel habits or characteristics, or blood in stool;
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Persistent hoarseness, dry cough, or blood in sputum;
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Abnormal hearing, nosebleeds, or headaches;
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Abnormal vaginal bleeding, especially contact bleeding.
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