Shengxue Busui Tang: A Blood-Nourishing and Pain-Relieving Decoction for Adjuvant Cancer Treatment
Shengxue Busui Tang (Blood-Generating Marrow-Strengthening Decoction) comes from Shangke Buyao (Supplement to Trauma Medicine). The original formula consists of raw Rehmannia (Sheng Dihuang), Peony (Shaoyao), Astragalus (Huangqi), Eucommia (Duzhong), Acanthopanax bark (Wujiapi), Achyranthes (Niuxi), Angelica (Danggui), Dipsacus (Chuan Xuduan), Ligusticum (Chuanxiong), and Safflower (Honghua); Shangke Buyao gives no dosages. Generally Sheng Dihuang, Shaoyao, Huangqi, Duzhong, Wujiapi, Niuxi, Danggui, Chuan Xuduan and Chuanxiong may each be used at 9 g, and Honghua at 3–6 g.
The formula was originally used for pain from various tendon injuries and fractures—local pain from sprains and contusions, and unhealed pain at the fracture site in the middle and later stages, accompanied by sallow complexion, dizziness, soreness and weakness of the lower back and knees, pale lips and nails, a pale tongue with thin white coating, and a fine pulse.
It is now also commonly used for complications after radiotherapy, chemotherapy and surgery in cancer patients. After Western treatments such as chemoradiotherapy, any cancer patient presenting with blood deficiency and essence depletion, blocked channels, and pain may use this formula. Some cancer patients on immunotherapy or endocrine therapy also develop severe pain as a side effect; this formula may be tried to relieve the symptoms.
If the patient has low red blood cells and slow fracture healing, prepared Rehmannia (Shudihuang), Drynaria (Gusuibu), Psoralea (Buguzhi), Morinda (Bajitian) and Epimedium (Yinyanghuo) may be added to tonify the kidney, strengthen bone and generate marrow. For severe anemia, Shengdi and Honghua may be removed and Shudihuang, processed Polygonum (Zhi Heshouwu) and Longan flesh (Longyanrou) added. For marked qi deficiency with spirit fatigue, lack of strength, poor appetite and loose stool, the dose of raw Astragalus may be increased to 30–60 g, and Codonopsis (Dangshen) and Atractylodes (Baizhu) added to strengthen the spleen and boost qi. For abdominal bloating, qi stagnation and poor appetite, small amounts of tangerine peel (Chenpi), Amomum (Sharen), and the three parched digestants (Jiao Sanxian) may be added to aid digestion.
For nausea and vomiting after chemotherapy, tangerine peel (Chenpi), processed Pinellia (Fabanxia), Haematite (Daizheshi), Inula flower (Xuanfuhua), persimmon calyx (Shidi) and clove (Dingxiang) may be added to counteract upward rebellion and stop belching. This formula may also be tried for cancer pain without fever in advanced cancer patients; for severe pain, Olibanum (Ruxiang), Myrrh (Moyao), Corydalis (Yuanhu) and poppy shell (Yingsuke) may be added as appropriate.