Qianlieshu Wan: A Chinese Patent Medicine for Prostatitis and Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
Qianlieshu Wan is a modern formula recorded in the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China (both the 2005 and 2010 editions, Volume I). Its composition includes: Shudihuang (Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata, processed rehmannia), Yiyiren (Coicis Semen, coix seed), Dongguazi (Benincasae Semen, winter melon seed), Shanzhuyu (Corni Fructus, cornus fruit), Shanyao (Dioscoreae Rhizoma, Chinese yam), Mudanpi (Moutan Cortex, moutan bark), Cangzhu (atractylodes), Taoren (Persicae Semen, peach kernel), Zexie (Alismatis Rhizoma, alisma), Fuling (poria), Guizhi (cassia twig), Fuzi (processed aconite), Jiucaizi (Allii Tuberosi Semen, Chinese chive seed), Yinyanghuo (Epimedii Herba, epimedium), and Gancao (licorice).
Preparation: crush the 15 herbs into a fine powder, sift, and mix. For every 100 g of powder, use 35–45 g of refined honey plus an appropriate amount of water to pan pills, then dry, making water-honey pills weighing 3 g per 10 pills. Take orally 3 times daily, 6–12 g each time. Many manufacturers produce this formula, which is sold in pharmacies and hospitals across the country. Specifications vary slightly between manufacturers; follow the package insert.
As the name suggests, Qianlieshu Wan is a Chinese patent medicine for prostate disorders. It supports the righteous qi and secures the root, nourishes yin and tonifies the kidney, and promotes diuresis and relieves dysuria. It is indicated for frequent urination, urgency, dribbling urination, and hematuria caused by chronic prostatitis or benign prostatic hyperplasia. Chronic prostatitis is difficult to eradicate; married patients being treated for chronic prostatitis should be treated together with their spouse. In addition to Qianlieshu Wan, patients may also take Western medicines such as minocycline hydrochloride capsules, and treatment must be continued for more than 6 weeks.
Prostatitis is a common condition in men. Some cases are caused by pathogens and can be transmitted between spouses, so sexual intercourse is best avoided during treatment. Chronic prostatitis tends to recur after cure; beyond medication, patients should maintain healthy sexual habits. Adequate sleep and moderate exercise benefit prostate health. However, cycling is harmful to the prostate, so men with prostate disease should avoid excessive cycling. Swimming is a very beneficial exercise for the prostate; those who can should use swimming to improve their prostate health.
The common form of prostatitis has little association with prostate cancer. Prostatitis patients often consult me out of fear that it will progress to prostate cancer, but such worry is excessive.