Insights and Updates

Yesterday, the son of one of my gastric-cancer patients sent me his own physical examination report, asking what he should do next. The color Doppler showed multiple thyroid nodules, the largest already over 1 cm, with irregular morphology, considered C-TIRADS category 4b. I told him…

In the Waike Dacheng (Comprehensive Book of External Medicine) by the Qing-dynasty famous surgeon Qi Kun, there is a formula called "Shunqi Huoxue Tang." It is a classic formula of orthopedics and traumatology, mainly used for contusions of the chest and abdomen. "Shunqi Huoxue Tang"…

Yi Huang Tang comes from Fu Qingzhu Nüke (Fu Qingzhu's Gynecology). It is composed of Shanyao (Rhizoma Dioscoreae, stir-fried) and Qianshi (Semen Euryales, stir-fried) each 1 liang (30 g), Huangbai (Cortex Phellodendri, stir-fried with salt water) 2 qian (6 g), Cheqianzi (Semen Plantaginis, stir-fried with…

The formula "Sheng Cha San" comes from Jifeng Puji Fang, an empirical formula for treating difficult urination recorded by the Southern Song famous physician Zhang Rui. Sheng Cha San is composed of equal parts of Peng'ezhu (Rhizoma Curcumae), Huixiang (Fructus Foeniculi) and Sheng Cha (raw…

In Taiping Huimin Heji Jufang (Prescriptions from the Taiping Imperial Pharmacy) there is a formula called "Hua Qi Tang." This formula is also recorded in Zhangshi Yitong (Comprehensive Medicine by Mr. Zhang), where it is named "Hua Qi San." The formula consists of: Chenxiang (Lignum…

In Chinese folk medicine there are four bryophyte herbs, all named Di Qian (liverwort). They are Shi Di Qian, She Di Qian, Mao Di Qian and Di Qian. These four are all commonly used folk medicines for sores and abscesses, traumatic swelling and pain, and…

Professor Zhou Zhongying is a renowned National Medical Master of China. Among his medical cases is one titled "Complex Combined Formula for Elevated Tumor Markers after Ovarian Cancer Surgery." In this case, Professor Zhou did not follow the usual TCM approach to disease; he boldly…

Four years of growing vegetables, four different plots; this year I finally found the one that satisfies me most. This plot is still in a planting garden at the foot of Fragrant Hills, about forty square meters, outside a greenhouse, with excellent light. The rent…

In Weisheng Baojian (Mirror of Health-Boosting Prescriptions) there is a formula called "Huangqin Qingfei Tang." It is very simple, composed of Huangqin (Radix Scutellariae) 2 qian (6 g) and Zhizi (Fructus Gardeniae) 2 pieces (broken open). Each time, boil in one bowl of water until…

Professor Liu Jiaxiang is a well-known TCM anti-cancer expert in Shanghai. He has an empirical formula for treating lung cancer called "Yifei Xiaoji Tang" (Lung-Benefiting and Mass-Resolving Decoction). The composition is: Sheng Huangqi (raw Radix Astragali) 30 g, Sheng Baizhu (raw Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae) 12…