Two Blood-Tonifying Chinese Patent Medicines for Cancer Patients
Anemia is a common complication of cancer. The author has previously introduced many blood-tonifying TCM decoctions or Chinese patent medicines; this article introduces two more blood-tonifying Chinese patent medicines.
The first is Yiqi Yangyuan Granules (Qi-Boosting and Origin-Nourishing Granules). Its composition includes Codonopsis (Dangshen), Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata (Shudihuang), Astragali Radix Praeparata (Zhi Huangqi), Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma (Baizhu, bran-fried), Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Danggui), Paeoniae Radix Alba (Baishao), Ophiopogonis Radix (Maidong), Placenta Hominis (Ziheche), Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium (Chenpi), Polygalae Radix (Yuanzhi, honey-fried with licorice), and Cinnamomi Cortex (Rougui). Its effect is to boost qi and nourish blood, nourish the heart and calm the spirit. It is indicated for dizziness and vertigo, mental lassitude, limb fatigue, shortness of breath with spontaneous sweating, palpitations and insomnia, and excessive menstruation due to dual deficiency of qi and blood.
This formula is a modification of Bazhen Decoction (Eight-Treasure Decoction). The Placenta Hominis (Ziheche) in the formula strongly supplements original qi. This formula has a certain therapeutic effect on anemia caused by radiotherapy and chemotherapy in cancer patients, and also has a certain alleviating effect on anemia due to chronic bleeding in cancers such as gastric cancer and cervical cancer.
The second is Yiqi Yangyang Oral Liquid (Qi-Boosting and Blood-Nourishing Oral Liquid). Its composition includes Ginseng (Renshen), Astragali Radix (Huangqi), Codonopsis (Dangshen), Ophiopogonis Radix (Maidong), Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Danggui), Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma (Baizhu), Rehmanniae Radix (Shengdihuang), processed Polygoni Multiflori Radix (Zhi Heshouwu), Schisandrae Fructus (Wuweizi), Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium (Chenpi), Lycii Cortex (Digupi), Cervi Cornu Pantotrichum (Lurong), and Epimedii Herba (Yinyanghuo).
This formula is also modified on the basis of Bazhen Decoction. The Cervi Cornu Pantotrichum (Lurong) and Epimedii Herba (Yinyanghuo) in the formula have an androgen-promoting effect, and androgens promote erythropoiesis, so the efficacy of this formula in raising red blood cells has a scientific basis.
Both formulas above use Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium (Chenpi), because tonifying Chinese herbs tend to hinder digestion; using Chenpi to regulate qi can counteract this side effect.