Common Folk Remedies, Single-Herb Formulas, Proven Prescriptions, Herb Pairs, and Common Chinese Herbs for Lung Cancer

Single-herb remedies are the wisdom of folk treatment of disease, and their value deserves to be tapped. The following proven formulas suit some lung cancer patients; I reprint them here with brief commentary from a professional standpoint.

Proven Formula 1: Adenophora (Nanshashen) 30 g, Glehnia (Beishashen) 30 g, Asparagus (Tiandong) 15 g, Ophiopogon (Maidong) 15 g, Stemona (Baibu) 15 g, Houttuynia (Yuxingcao) 30 g, Adenophora trachelioides (Shanhailuo) 15 g, Coix seed (Yiyiren) 15 g, Honeysuckle (Jinyinhua) 30 g, dried toad skin (Gancanpi) 5 g, Descurainia (Tinglizi) 15 g, Akebia fruit (Bayuezha) 12 g, Sophorae root (Kushen) 15 g, Oldenlandia (Baihua Sheshecao) 30 g, Oyster shell (Muli) 15 g, Solanum lyratum (Baiying) 15 g, Solanum nigrum (Longkui) 15 g.

Editor's note: This formula focuses on moistening and nourishing the lung while resolving phlegm and fighting cancer. Glehnia/Adenophora (Shashen) is the foremost lung-tonifying herb; Asparagus (Tiandong) and Ophiopogon (Maidong) are major lung-moistening herbs. This formula is well suited to patients with lung-dryness-type lung cancer. Among them, Descurainia (Tinglizi), Sophorae root (Kushen), Oldenlandia (Baihua Sheshecao), toad skin, Coix seed, Solanum lyratum (Baiying), Solanum nigrum (Longkui), Houttuynia (Yuxingcao), and Adenophora trachelioides (Shanhailuo) all have good anti-cancer effects against lung cancer.

Proven Formula 2: Houttuynia (Yuxingcao) 10 g, Paris polyphylla (Caohuoche) 15 g, Oldenlandia (Baihua Sheshecao) 30 g, unprocessed Rehmannia (Shengdi) 15 g, Ophiopogon (Maidong) 15 g, Dendrobium (Shihu) 15 g, Pseudostellaria (Taizishen) 15 g, Schisandra (Wuweizi) 15 g, Descurainia (Tinglizi) 15 g, Trichosanthes (Gualou) 15 g, human placenta (Zichaheche) 10 g, Asini Corii Colla (Ejiao, dissolved separately) 10 g.

Editor's note: This formula resolves phlegm and disperses nodules, boosts qi and nourishes yin, and clears heat and resolves toxin; it suits patients with lung heat and lung dryness.

Proven Formula 3: Adenophora (Nanshashen) 15 g, Glehnia (Beishashen) 15 g, Senna angustifolia (Wangjiangnan) 15 g, wild Chrysanthemum (Yejuhua) 10 g, Dioscorea (Huai Shanyao) 10 g, Oldenlandia (Baihua Sheshecao) 30 g, calcined Oyster shell (Duan Muli) 15 g, Prunella (Xiakucao) 15 g, Sargassum (Haizao) 15 g, kelp (Haidai) 10 g, Scrophularia (Xuanshen) 15 g, Trichosanthes root (Tianhuafen) 15 g, Fritillaria cirrhosa (Chuan Beimu) 12 g, Salvia (Danshen) 15 g, honey-fried Carapax Trionycis (Zhi Biejia, first-decocted) 15 g, processed Pangolin scales (Chuanshanjia) 15 g, unprocessed Rehmannia (Shengdi) 12 g, Schisandra (Wuweizi) 15 g, Vaccaria (Wangbuliuxing) 15 g, Ophiopogon (Maidong) 15 g, Dandelion (Pugongying) 15 g, Salvia chinensis (Shijianchuan) 15 g, Stemona (Baibu) 15 g, Cynanchum paniculatum (Xuchangqing) 15 g, Lycium bark (Digupi) 15 g, Solanum lyratum (Baiying) 15 g, Moutan (Danpi) 10 g, Houttuynia (Yuxingcao) 30 g, Viola (Zihua Diding) 30 g, Chicken-gizzard inner skin (Jineijin) 30 g. Grind all the above into a fine powder, refine with honey into pills of 6 g each; take 2 pills each time, twice daily.

Editor's note: This is a pill formula with comprehensive coverage; it resolves phlegm and disperses nodules, clears heat and resolves toxin, and fights cancer and reduces swelling. The composition is rigorous; essentially every herb is a common one with good effects against lung cancer.

Common herb pairs for lung cancer patients:

1. Arisaema (Tiannanxing) 6 g, Inula (Xuanfuhua) 10 g. This pair reduces swelling and disperses nodules; used for stubborn-phlegm cough in lung cancer.

2. Indigo naturalis (Qingdai) 3 g, Houttuynia (Yuxingcao) 10 g, Aster (Ziwan) 10 g. This pair can be used for hemoptysis due to lung cancer, and also for oral ulcers caused by radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

3. Limonite (Huaruishi) 6 g, Bletilla (Baiji) 15 g. Mainly used for lung-cancer-related yin deficiency with effulgent fire and persistent hemoptysis.

4. Sophorae tonkinensis (Shan Dougen) 5 g, Selaginella (Shishangbai) 30 g. This is a common heat-clearing, toxin-resolving pair for lung cancer.

5. American Ginseng (Xiyangshen) 5 g, Gecko powder (Gejie fen) 6 g. This pair is usually ground into powder and taken in water; it boosts qi and nourishes yin and works well for patients with dual deficiency of qi and yin who pant on exertion.

6. Arctium (Niubangzi) 10 g, Descurainia (Tinglizi) 15 g. This pair mainly clears heat and resolves phlegm; used for lung-heat cough and panting.

7. Ginseng (Renshen) 3 g, Sappan wood (Sumu) 5 g, Notoginseng (Sanqi) 5 g. This pair is used for lung cancer patients showing a dark complexion and shortness of breath.

8. Aster (Ziwan) 9 g, Tussilago (Kuandonghua) 9 g. This pair is used for chronic cough due to lung-cancer qi deficiency with blood in the phlegm; it is one of the common cough-stopping pairs for lung cancer patients. If the chronic cough is caused by radiation pneumonitis, Fritillaria cirrhosa (Chuanbeimu), Ophiopogon (Maidong), and Ejiao may be added.

9. Lily (Baihe) 30 g, Tussilago (Kuandonghua) 9 g. This pair is used for chronic cough due to lung deficiency in lung cancer with phlegm, cough, and hemoptysis; for radiation-induced pulmonary fibrosis, Peach kernel (Taoren) 5 g and woodlouse (Shufu) 6 g may be added.

10. Ophiopogon (Maidong) 15 g, Lycium bark (Digupi) 30 g. This pair is used for yin deficiency after radiotherapy for lung cancer, with dry mouth and thirst and inability to eat.

11. Ophiopogon (Maidong) 15 g, Lycium bark (Digupi) 30 g, duckweed (Fuping) 15 g. Used before radiotherapy, this pair can sensitize the patient to radiotherapy and reduce radiation damage.

It is generally held that the treatment principle for lung cancer should focus on nourishing lung yin and strengthening the spleen and kidney, so lung cancer medication emphasizes nourishing lung yin, resolving phlegm and dispersing nodules, and strengthening the spleen to transform phlegm. The following are common Chinese herbs for lung cancer: Glehnia/Adenophora (Shashen), Ophiopogon (Maidong), Asparagus (Tiandong), Ginseng (Renshen), Pseudostellaria (Taizishen), American Ginseng (Xiyangshen), Schisandra (Wuweizi), unprocessed Astragalus (Sheng Huangqi), Fritillaria thunbergii (Zhe Beimu), Fritillaria cirrhosa (Chuan Beimu), unprocessed Pinellia (Sheng Banxia), dried toad skin (Gancanpi), earthworm (Dilong), wasp nest (Lufengfang), Houttuynia (Yuxingcao), Dictamnus (Baixianpi), white Mustard seed (Baijiezi), Asarum (Xixin), Descurainia (Tinglizi), chlorite schist (Qingmengshi), and pumice (Haifushi).

In addition, my previous article "Two TCM Folk Remedies Effective for Lung Cancer, Introduced by Relatives of Lung Cancer Patients" may also be of reference. Readers may discuss common questions about lung cancer in the comments below this article. As I accumulate further single-herb remedies, proven formulas, herb pairs, and common drugs for lung cancer, I will continue to add them to this article; friends concerned about lung cancer may follow it.

For commonly used Chinese patent medicines for lung cancer, you may click to read my dedicated article: Chinese Patent Medicines Commonly Used by Lung Cancer Patients.