Duan Fengwu’s Four Empirical Formulas for Acute Leukemia
Formula 1: Yiqi Ziyin Jiedu Tang (Qi-Boosting, Yin-Nourishing, Toxin-Detoxifying Decoction)
Composition: Sheng Huangqi (raw Astragali Radix) 30 g, Daqingye (Isatidis Folium) 30 g, Baihuasheshecao (Hedyotidis Herba) 30 g, Yiyiren (Coicis Semen) 30 g, Xuanshen (Scrophulariae Radix) 15 g, Shengdi (Rehmanniae Radix) 15 g, Mudanpi (Moutan Cortex) 15 g, Caohuoche (Sargentodoxae/Rhizoma Paridis) 15 g, Huangyaozi (Dioscoreae Bulbiferae Rhizoma) 9 g, Digupi (Lycii Cortex) 9 g.
One dose daily, decocted in water, taken twice a day. Indicated for acute leukemia with qi deficiency and exuberant heat.
Formula 2: San She Tang (Three “She” Decoction)
Baihuasheshecao (Hedyotidis Herba) 30–60 g, Yangtigen (Rumicis Radix) 30 g, Goushecao (Senecionis Herba) 30 g. For leukemia patients, Xuchangqing (Cynanchi Paniculati Radix), Mutouhui (Patriniae Herba), Zhuyangyang (Galii Aparinis Herba), and Chonglou (Paridis Rhizoma) may be added; for malignant lymphoma, Tubimu (Bolbostemmatis Rhizoma), Xiakucao (Prunellae Spica), Jiangcan (Bombyx Batryticatus), and Tufuling (Smilacis Glabrae Rhizoma) may be added.
One dose daily, decocted in water, twice a day. Indicated for acute leukemia and malignant lymphoma.
Formula 3: 701 Jianji (701 Decoction)
Hetaoshuzhi (Juglandis Ramulus) 60 g, Baihuasheshecao (Hedyotidis Herba) 30 g, Lianqiao (Forsythiae Fructus) 30 g, Sheng Shouwu (raw Polygoni Multiflori Radix) 30 g, Zicaogen (Arnebiae Radix) 15 g, Tudahuong (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma) 15 g.
One dose daily, decocted in water, twice a day. Indicated for various acute leukemias; may be combined with hormone therapy.
Formula 4: Kangbei Heji (Anti-Leukemia Mixture)
Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix) 10 g, Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma) 3 g, Jinyinhua (Lonicerae Flos) 10 g, Pugongying (Taraxaci Herba) 10 g, Zihuadiding (Violae Herba) 10 g, Loulu (Rhapontici Radix) 10 g, Tusizi (Cuscutae Semen) 10 g, Yinyanghuo (Epimedii Folium) 6 g, Jixueteng (Spatholobi Caulis) 10 g, Danshen (Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) 7 g.
Decoct in water; each dose is decocted twice and taken in four portions over two days. Indicated for the induction-of-remission phase of various acute leukemias and malignant reticulocytoma.
These four formulas are empirical recipes for acute leukemia collected by Prof. Duan Fengwu, a renowned TCM surgery specialist in China. They are grouped together because they share one therapeutic strategy: clearing heat, resolving toxin, cooling blood, and reducing swelling. Acute leukemia is often accompanied by fever, dry mouth, yin deficiency, and fatigue—signs of exuberant heat evil with dual deficiency of qi and yin—so treatment should likewise center on clearing heat, resolving toxin, nourishing yin, and cooling blood.
Daqingye, Baihuasheshecao, Huangqin, Pugongying, Jinyinhua, and walnut twigs all have some anti-leukemic activity, so from a modern pharmacology standpoint many of the herbs used here are on target. But the anti-leukemic effect of any single herb is limited, so one cannot rely on such drugs alone. To comprehensively relieve symptoms, combination formulas acting on multiple levels are needed.
All four formulas provide symptomatic relief and have some mitigating effect on acute leukemia patients, modestly prolonging survival, though they are unlikely to cure leukemia outright. Symptoms of acute leukemia are often severe; integrated Chinese-Western combined treatment should be prioritized, and TCM alone is not advisable.
Heat-clearing, toxin-resolving herbs often irritate the stomach, so some patients with weak stomachs may lose appetite after dosing; under a doctor’s guidance, take stomach-protecting and digestive aids alongside. If severe discomfort occurs after dosing, stop taking it. Leukemia treatment is long; once effective, persist long-term.
Goushecao, Yangtigen, and Tudahuang in the above formulas are not common herbs; most herbal pharmacies or TCM hospital dispensaries do not stock such less-common drugs. Patients may buy them from wholesale herbal markets or online.