My Empirical Formula for Treating Myelosuppression from Chemo- and Radiotherapy in Cancer Patients

Base formula: Xianhe Cao (仙鹤草, Agrimonia pilosa) 100 g; Dangshen (党参, Codonopsis) 30 g; raw Huangqi (生黄芪, Astragalus) 50–100 g; Danggui (当归, Angelica) 10–20 g; Shudi (熟地, Rehmannia glutinosa preparata) 30 g; Huangjing (黄精, Polygonatum) 30 g; Diyu (地榆, Sanguisorba) 30 g; 5 Dazao (大枣, jujube); 7 slices of Shengjiang (生姜, fresh ginger).

The above is an adult dose; children generally take half. This base formula has good efficacy and very high safety for the declines in white blood cells, red blood cells, hemoglobin, platelets, and other indices caused by ordinary myelosuppression.

In the above formula, when Xianhe Cao is used at 100 g its platelet-raising effect is marked, and most patients return to normal values within one to two weeks of taking it. If the only problem is low platelets, one can use 100 g of Xianhe Cao alone. Once platelets normalize, reduce Xianhe Cao to 30–50 g and maintain treatment for about half a month.

For hair loss, add Mohanlian (墨旱莲, Eclipta) 15–30 g and Nüzhenzi (女贞子, Ligustrum lucidum fruit) 15–30 g. But note: if the patient has loose stools, Mohanlian and Nüzhenzi must not be used. Some patients easily develop diarrhea after taking them, while constipated patients find them laxative. Adding them also improves sleep and reduces anxiety. In addition, Mohanlian and Nüzhenzi may cause amenorrhea in menstruating women; so for menstruating women they should be used cautiously, except in breast-cancer patients who need endocrine therapy.

Raw Huangqi has a marked hemoglobin-raising effect and works best for those with low hemoglobin; larger doses work better. The effect is best when the ratio of raw Huangqi to Danggui is kept at 5:1. For low hemoglobin with marked fatigue, add Shayuanzi (沙苑子, Astragalus complanatus seed) 10–30 g and Tusizi (菟丝子, Cuscuta seed) 10–30 g. For a slow pulse rate, add Maidong (麦冬, Ophiopogon) 10 g and Wuweizi (五味子, Schisandra) 10 g.

For bleeding tendency, add Baiji (白芨, Bletilla) 10–30 g. Note that at large doses Baiji causes cardiac discomfort, so patients with heart problems should reduce the dose. For gastrointestinal bleeding, in the acute phase grind Baiji into powder and give 0.5–1 g suspended in boiled water every half hour. The patient should closely watch whether the stool color changes; once the stool turns yellow, reduce Baiji to 1 g three times daily and maintain for 1–2 weeks. For acid regurgitation, add an equal amount of Wuzeogu (乌贼骨, cuttlebone) ground together into powder; Wuzeogu suppresses stomach acid and protects the gastric mucosa.

I should especially state that this formula has been used repeatedly with a high effective rate and high safety. The purpose of sharing my empirical formula is to help more patients and families and to exchange ideas with colleagues. Patients and their families may use it directly, provided they obtain the agreement of their attending TCM physician.

I now have more than 30,000 readers across my various articles each day, and hundreds of thousands read my articles each month, and the number keeps growing. Many patients consult me on all sorts of questions; I really have neither the time nor the energy to reply. So I hope readers will consult their own attending TCM physician about using this formula, and not take up my time and energy.

In addition, many patients' blood counts recover on their own after chemo- and radiotherapy end; such patients do not need medication. This formula is only for patients whose marrow has been suppressed and who cannot recover on their own.