My Empirical Formula: Chinese Herbal Medicine to Support Cancer Patients Through Chemotherapy
When cancer patients undergo chemotherapy, they often experience some fairly severe side effects. Chinese herbal decoctions can significantly reduce chemotherapy side effects, help cancer patients complete chemotherapy smoothly, and improve chemotherapy outcomes.
In my own clinical practice, I have an empirical formula that I use quite handily; I offer it here for readers' reference.
The basic prescription is as follows:
Renshen (Ginseng) 6g, Sheng Huangqi (raw Astragalus) 30g, Danggui (Angelica) 6g, Zhi Gancao (honey-fried Licorice) 10g, Chenpi (Tangerine Peel) 6g, Fabanxia (processed Pinellia) 6g, Fulin (Poria) 15g, Nuzhenzi (Ligustrum Fruit) 6g, Mohanlian (Eclipta) 6g, Shayuanzi (Astragalus complanatus seed) 6g, Tusizi (Cuscuta seed) 6g, Dingxiang (Clove) 6g, Shidi (Persimmon Calyx) 6g, Jiao Sanxian (each of the charred trio: Crataegus, Massa, Hordeum) 10g, Shengjiang (Fresh Ginger) 5–10 slices.
This formula is a modified combination of Erchen Decoction (Two-Aged Decoction), Dingxiang Shidi Decoction, Danggui Buxue Decoction (Angelica Blood-Nourishing Decoction), and the Four Kidney-tonifying Herbs.
Erchen Decoction is composed of Chenpi, Banxia (Pinellia), Fulin, and Zhi Gancao. Its action and indication are to dry dampness and resolve phlegm, regulate qi and harmonize the middle. It is commonly used for cough with abundant white sputum that is easy to expectorate, chest and diaphragmatic fullness, nausea and vomiting, bodily heaviness, lack of appetite, or dizziness and palpitations.
Dingxiang Shidi Decoction is composed of Dingxiang, Shidi, Renshen, and Shengjiang. Its main action is to treat stomach-cold hiccups, nausea and vomiting, and chest and epigastric fullness.
Danggui Buxue Decoction consists of only two herbs, Sheng Huangqi and Danggui. In this formula, the optimal ratio of Huangqi to Danggui is 5:1. Danggui Buxue Decoction is a classic famous TCM formula for tonifying qi and blood; its components are simple and its effect pronounced.
The Four Kidney-tonifying Herbs are Nuzhenzi, Mohanlian, Shayuanzi, and Tusizi. The first two nourish kidney yin, and the latter two warm kidney yang; all belong to gentle rather than harsh tonification. Their kidney-tonifying force is mild, making them well suited to patients who cannot tolerate strong tonics (the vacuity-not-bearing-tonification phenomenon).
The Jiao Sanxian in the formula improves the patient's appetite.
TCM holds that the kidney is the congenital root and the spleen the acquired root. My empirical formula is a spleen-fortifying and kidney-tonifying combination, and it is very targeted at chemotherapy patients. Because the common side effects of chemotherapy are chiefly nausea/vomiting and myelosuppression, with albumin and hemoglobin dropping considerably, this small, simple prescription addresses exactly these problems.
For patients whose red blood cells drop sharply, one may increase the dosage of Mohanlian and Nuzhenzi, and add Ejiao (Ass-hide glue), Jixueteng (Spatholobus), Huangjing (Polygonatum), Xianhecao (Agrimonia), and Sanqi (Notoginseng).
Patients with severe kidney-yang deficiency may also add warming kidney-yang herbs such as Bajitian (Morinda), Suoyang (Cynomorium), Gouji (Cibotium), and Lujiaojiao (deer-antler glue), with dosage adjusted to the patient's condition.
Some patients have severe diarrhea during chemotherapy; on this basis one may combine Sishen Wan (Four-Spirit Pill), adding Buguzhi (Psoralea), Roudoukou (Nutmeg), Wuweizi (Schisandra), and Shanzhuyu (Cornus), with dosage according to the patient's condition.
For patients with severe nausea and vomiting, one may increase the dosage of Shengjiang and consider adding downbearing antiemetic herbs such as Xuanfuhua (Inula), Daizheshi (Hematite), and Zhuru (Bamboo shavings).
For many years, I have used this formula as my base, modifying and adapting it, to support many patients undergoing chemotherapy or oral targeted therapy. The medication is safe and the effect pronounced. Some patients with especially severe chemotherapy side effects have seen immediate results after taking this formula; many have had their chemotherapy reactions markedly reduced, even completely disappearing, allowing them to complete chemotherapy smoothly.