Chen Maowu's Empirical Formulas for Multiple Lipomas and Mammary Fibroadenomas
In a previous article I introduced the empirical formula "Brain-Tumor Mixture" of the renowned Jiangxi physician Chen Maowu for treating brain tumors. Here I introduce two more of his empirical formulas for other benign tumors.
Empirical formula for multiple lipomas: Baifuling (Poria) 300 g, Fabanxia (processed Pinelliae Rhizoma) 300 g, Baijiezi (Sinapis Semen) 300 g, Mangxiao (Natrii Sulfas) 300 g, Chao Zhiqiao (stir-fried Aurantii Fructus) 300 g, Chao Jiangcan (stir-fried Bombyx Batryticatus) 300 g, Chao Yiyiren (stir-fried Coicis Semen) 300 g. Grind all ingredients finely, mix with ginger-juice paste into pills the size of a fir tree seed; take 6 g three times daily with warm water.
This formula is a modification of Zhimi Fuling Wan (Guidance Poria Pill), which comes from Shizhai Baiyi Xuanfang and is also known as Zhitan Fuling Yuan. It is a phlegm-dispelling formula in TCM that dries dampness, moves qi, softens hard masses, and dissipates phlegm. It is indicated for phlegm flowing into the limbs causing arm pain: aching arms that cannot be raised, pain that shifts from side to side, weak and limp hands, swollen limbs, a white greasy tongue coating, and a wiry slippery pulse. In modern practice it is often used for cervical spondylosis, frozen shoulder, and upper-extremity angioedema.
Zhimi Fuling Wan consists of Fuling 1 liang, Chao Zhiqiao 5 qian, Fabanxia 1 liang, and Fenghua Puxiao 1 qian. Taking this as the base, Chen Maowu added Baijiezi to warm and transform cold phlegm, Chao Jiangcan to resolve phlegm, scatter nodules, and stop spasms and pain, and Yiyiren to promote diuresis, strengthen the spleen, clear heat, and drain pus. He also replaced Fenghua Puxiao with Mangxiao and greatly increased the dosage. After these modifications, the formula leans much more strongly toward resolving phlegm and scattering nodules. Chen Maowu used it with good effect for multiple lipomas. Note that multiple lipomas are a benign proliferative condition and differ from malignant liposarcoma; no reports support this formula's efficacy against liposarcoma.
Formula for mammary fibroadenoma: Guizhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus) 300 g, Fuling (Poria) 300 g, Mudanpi (Moutan Cortex) 300 g, Taoren (Persicae Semen) 300 g, Chishao (Paeoniae Rubra Radix) 300 g, Ruxiang (Olibanum) 300 g, Zhishi (Aurantii Fructus Immaturus) 300 g, Qingpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium Viride) 300 g. Grind all finely, refine with honey into pills; take 6 g three times daily with warm water.
This is a modification of Guizhi Fuling Wan from Zhang Zhongjing's Jingui Yaolue (Synopsis of the Golden Chamber) of the Han dynasty. Zhang's formula, composed of Guizhi, Fuling, Mudanpi, Chishao, and Taoren, activates blood and resolves stasis, disperses glomus and nodules, and treats women's zheng-jia (abdominal masses); it also invigorates the meridians and has some effect on postpartum lochiorrhea and dysmenorrhea. Modern pharmacological research shows it inhibits hyperplasia of uterine smooth muscle, reduces release of inflammatory cytokines, and may influence female estrogen and progesterone — factors implicated in mammary hyperplasia and breast tumors.
Chen Maowu added Ruxiang, Zhishi, and Qingpi to Guizhi Fuling Wan. All three have some effect on breast masses. Xihuang Wan, a famous TCM antitumor formula, uses Ruxiang; Zhishi and Qingpi both move qi and disperse accumulation and are common herbs for mammary hyperplasia and breast masses. With this composition the formula becomes well targeted at breast masses.
Mammary fibroadenoma is the most common benign breast tumor, accounting for about three quarters of all benign breast tumors and occurring mainly in young women. It is generally thought to result from proliferation of fibrous cells stimulated by estrogen; these cells carry estrogen receptors that bind estrogen and promote mammary tissue growth. Fibroadenomas usually do not become malignant, but if one grows very large or the patient has a family history of breast or ovarian cancer, malignancy must be watched for.
I have not personally used either of these two formulas in practice, mainly because I see few such patients. But Chen Maowu was an experienced, renowned TCM physician, and his empirical formulas can be trusted to have practical value.