Chen Maowu's Empirical Formula "Brain Tumor Mixture" for Treating Brain Tumors
Chen Maowu (1926-1994) was a renowned TCM physician of Jiangxi Province. During his lifetime he used his empirical formula "Brain Tumor Mixture" (Naozhong Heji) to treat many patients with brain tumors, with good results.
The basic formula of his Brain Tumor Mixture is as follows: Niuweicai (Smilax riparia) 40 g, Lurongcao (Eriophyton eximium) 30 g, Tiankui zi (Semiaquilegia) 20 g, Yindijue (Botrychium) 30 g, Gegen (Pueraria) 30 g, Jiangcan (Bombyx batryticatus) 15 g, Zanghonghua (Tibetan saffron) 2 g (if unavailable, 10 g of Sichuan Honghua, Carthamus, may substitute), Zhenzhufen (pearl powder) 1 vial (0.7 g, swallowed), Tieshaoshu (Lespedeza) 30 g.
Several of the herbs in this formula are uncommon folk herbs. Among them, Lurongcao is the plant Eriophyton eximium of the Scrophulariaceae family; the Hangzhou Yaowu Zhi (Flora of Hangzhou Medicinal Plants) records it as treating hemangioma. Niuweicai is the root and rhizome of Smilax riparia of the Liliaceae; the Shaanxi Zhongcaoyao (Shaanxi Chinese Herbal Medicine) records it as treating hemiplegia caused by hypertension. Yindijue is the whole herb with root of Botrychium lunaria of the Ophioglossaceae; the Fujian Zhongcaoyao (Fujian Chinese Herbal Medicine) records it as treating epilepsy, and it is commonly used by Jiangxi folk to treat hemangioma. Tiankui zi is the tuberous root of Semiaquilegia adoxoides of the Ranunculaceae; the Zhongyao Da Cidian (Great Dictionary of Chinese Materia Medica) records it as treating epilepsy and infantile convulsions. The remaining several herbs are commonly used and available at ordinary TCM pharmacies.
Modifications to the above formula are as follows: add Chuanxiong (Ligusticum) and Baishao (Paeonia alba) for cerebral aneurysms; add Shengma (Cimicifuga) and Jinyinhua (Lonicera) for cerebral venous aneurysms; add Chao Daidai (stir-fried hawksbill), Wugong (centipede) and Quanxie (scorpion), all powdered and taken in suspension, for headache; add Zhishi (immature orange), Banxia (Pinellia) and Chishizhi (halloysitum) for epileptiform seizures; add Dahuang (Rhubarb) and Shengjiang (Fresh Ginger) for vomiting; add Huangqi (Astragalus) and Chuanxiong (Ligusticum) for hemiplegia; add Gouqizi (Lycium) and Juhua (chrysanthemum) for visual impairment; add Cishi (magnetite) and Shichangpu (Acorus) for hearing impairment; add Weilingxian (Clematis chinensis) and Jiangcan (Bombyx batryticatus) for dysphagia; add Huajiao (Sichuan pepper) for pituitary adenoma; add Weilingxian (Clematis chinensis) for diabetes insipidus; add Yiyiren (Coix) and Zhi Fuzi (processed Aconitum) for glioma; add Daidai fen (hawksbill powder) and Duan Shijueming (calcined Haliotis) for meningioma; add Wangbuliuxing (Vaccaria) and Sanqi fen (Panax notoginseng powder, taken in suspension) for traumatic brain injury.
According to Chen Maowu's published case records, he used the above approach to treat various brain tumors, including aneurysms of the cerebral carotid siphon, cerebral aneurysms, cerebral venous aneurysms, pituitary adenomas and gliomas, with cases showing effect. Chen Maowu's therapeutic approach is unique; I have not seen it recorded by other physicians. I respectfully record his formula for readers' reference.