March 23rd, 2000
Chinese medicine is a powerful weapon against cancer. The benefits include higher immune function and lower toxic/ side effects from chemo-radiotherapies. Many Chinese herbs have direct or indirect functions suppressing cancer growth and spread. From16 years of TCM clinical practice, I feel many cancer patients could be helped enormously by Chinese herbs, acupuncture, and Guoling walking qigong. Here is a brief guide for patients at different stages of cancer:
1. Before diagnosis to therapy initiated: Turn the hard waiting period ( usually weeks-to-months) into active treatment with Chinese herbs to regulate the yin-yang body balance, support the immune system, and curb cancer growth. Chinese medicine shows great value in prevention. When the worst comes, the body is already in the process of active defense.
2. During cancer remission: Patients following successful cancer surgery and chemo-radiotherpy may be in remission but in a state of qi-blood deficiency. The theme is to support the immune function and prevent cancer recurrence. Many Chinese herbal therapies can be used during this period. Depending on individual difference, herbal formulas of qi, blood, yin and yang tonics and anti-cancer herbs are selected to fight residual cancer and help body recover better.
3. For chemo-radiotherapy recipients: The theme is to maintain bone-marrow function and normal blood-cell levels ( Qi-blood tonics, kidney-yang tonics + acupuncture St36, D14, B17, B20, G39 etc.), to preserve normal heart, liver, and kidney functions ( spleen-qi tonics, detoxifying formulas), to minimize the digestive system reactions ( spleen-stomach tonics), to promote immune system and body resistance against disease, and help patients fulfil the chemo-& radiotherapies.
4. After west-medicine gives up: Chinese herbs + acupuncture + Guolin qigong exercise have proved times again in saving lives of many terminal cancer patients. The key at this stage is to restore yin-yan balance, improve functions of the organ systems, control pain, and increase immune activity with tonic, anti-cancer herbs and acupuncture. Guolin walking qigong is very helpful for any cancer patient with its rescue qigong is especially designed for advanced cancer. When west medicine has exhausted its means in late-stage cancer, Chinese medicine can still play big role in improving life quality, minimizing symptoms, and extending survival.
Chinese herbs play a central role in cancer treatment. Dr.Liu JiaXiang, of Shanghai TCM University Affiliated Longhua Cancer Hospital, summarized 131 Chinese herbs in 5 main approaches effective for cancer, based on his many years of research and clinic experience:
1. Spleen-Qi Tonic Approach All cancer patients are low in zeng qi and over-sensitive to injury by cancer-causing agents. This approach is known to increase immune surveillance function. The herbs may regulate cell growth cycle and nucleic acid/ protein metabolism via cAMP, cGMP, and related enzymes. Their anti-tumor effects may be related to inhibiting cancer cell synthesis of DNA, RNA, and proteins, cancer division, and cancer gene expression. They block cancer formation, growth, recurrence, or metastasis. In lab study, they markedly increase immune index ( E-rosette formation, macrophage function, T-cell conversion, NK cell activity, & T4/T8 ratio ).
Common herbs: Huangqi, Gingsen, Dangsen, Bazhu, Fulin, Shanyao, Yirenmi, Biandou, Changzhu, Chenbi, etc.
2. Nourish Yin Approach: Yin (organs blood fluids) is low in many cancer patients, especially after surgery, chemo or radiotherapies. Herbs in this class support yin, replenish the body fluid, and restore organ functions. This approach often combines with other approaches to control cancer growth, reduce side-effects, support body balance, promote recovery.
Common herbs: Shasen, Tiandong, Maidong, Sendi, Soudi, Huangjin, Yuansen, Qizi, Huafen, Nuzenzi, Baihe, etc
3.Kidney-Yang Tonic Approach: Yang supports immune system, kidney supports bone & marrow. Mainly used in late-stage cancer of lung, stomach, liver; cancer related to hormonal dysfunctions ( breast, prostate), and prevention of toxic and side-effects of chemo-radiotherapies. These herbs increase antibody production / action, regulate macrophage & T-cell function, inhibit tumor mutation, promote bone marrow / stem-cell proliferation, and regulate hormone functions.
Common herbs: Dongchongxiacao, Xianlinbi, Xianmao, Suoyang, Roucongron, Bajitian, Buguozi, Gouji, Tushizi, etc.
4. Heat Clearing Detoxic Approach: Heat toxicity is a main cause of cancer. This group of herb effects include cancer inhibition through regulating cAMP level, tumor cell DNA/RNA synthesis, anti-mutation and direct cancer suppression. Many herbs stimulate immune functions and have antibiotic, antitoxic, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Common herbs: Baimaoten, SeseCao, YuxinCao, Banzhilian,Qindai, Dahuang, Baiyin, Baitouweng, Chonglou, etc.
5. Destagnation Approach: Stagnation of qi, blood, or phlegm in cancer presents a high agglutinating state. Herbs of this group have effects on shrinking & dissolving tumor and relieve pain, controlling cancer spread, improving blood dynamics and microcirculation, reversing high clotting state and tumor microthrombosis, & enhancing immune functions. Common herbs: Sanlin, Ershu Shangqi, Dangui, Danseng, Chuangxiong, Jixueteng, Ruxiang, Muyao, Danpi, Chishao etc