Shiquan Dabu Tang (Ten-Ingredient Great Tonifying Decoction): A Classic Formula for Supporting Righteous Qi Against Cancer

Shiquan Dabu Tang first appeared in the Taiping Huimin Heji Jufang (Prescriptions from the Taiping Peaceful Benevolent Dispensary, 1151 AD), compiled under the direction of the Song-dynasty Taiping Huimin Bureau (the state-run pharmacy of the Song dynasty). It was later improved in the Chuanshi Shiyong Fang (Formulas Transmitted and Found Useful, 1180 AD) by the Song-dynasty physician Wu Yankui.

Shiquan Dabu Tang is built on Bazhen Tang (Eight-Treasure Decoction), the TCM formula that supplements both qi and blood, with the addition of Huangqi (Astragalus) and Rougui (cinnamon bark). So its ingredients include Shudi (processed Rehmannia), Danggui (Angelica), Baishao (white Paeonia), Chuanxiong (Ligusticum), Renshen (ginseng, now often replaced by Dangshen/Codonopsis), Baizhu (Atractylodes), Fuling (Poria), Zhi Gancao (honey-fried licorice), Rougui (cinnamon), and Huangqi (Astragalus), plus an appropriate amount of Shengjiang (ginger) and Dazao (jujube) added when decocting—altogether twelve herbs.

My usual doses are: Renshen 3-10 g, Baizhu 10 g, Fuling 10 g, Zhi Gancao 10 g, Chuanxiong 10 g, Danggui 10 g, Shudi 10 g, Baishao 10 g, Sheng Huangqi (raw Astragalus) 30 g, Rougui 10 g. When decocting, add 3-5 slices of ginger and 5-7 jujubes. For young children, reduce to one-third to one-half the adult dose.

For weak patients, the dose of Renshen should be moderately increased; for better-built patients, the dose of Renshen can be lowered. To save on medicine costs, Renshen can also be ground into powder and taken dissolved in the decoction—about 0.5-2 g of ginseng powder per dose achieves a very good effect. For patients not too weak, Renshen can be replaced by Dangshen or Taizishen (pseudostellaria).

For patients with severe blood deficiency, the raw Huangqi in the formula can be replaced by Zhi Huangqi (honey-fried Astragalus), and herbs that generate essence and nourish blood such as Ejiao (donkey-hide gelatin), Huangjing (Polygonatum), Lujiaojiao (deerhorn gelatin), and Gouji (Cibotium) can be added. For patients with severe undigested food stagnation, Jiao Sanxian, Jineijin (chicken gizzard lining), Laifuzi (radish seed), and other digestion-promoting, stomach-strengthening herbs can be added. For patients with much spontaneous sweating, Fuxiaomai (light wheat), Longgu (dragon bone), Muli (oyster shell), Mahuanggen (ephedra root), and other sweat-holding herbs can be added. It can also be combined with Yuping Feng (Jade Windshield: Huangqi, Baizhu, Fangfeng).

As its name suggests, Shiquan Dabu Tang is a formula that greatly supplements the body's original qi. The Taiping Huimin Heji Jufang records its effect: "It treats all kinds of deficiency and insufficiency in men and women, the five consumptions and seven injuries, inability to eat, chronic illness with deficiency damage, intermittent tidal fever, qi attacking the bone and spine, spasmodic pain, nocturnal emissions, sallow complexion, weakness of feet and knees, all post-illness debility below par, sorrow and anxiety damaging qi and blood, cough with abdominal fullness, weak spleen-stomach qi, and pent-up heat in the five centers—all are treated by it."

This formula is highly valued in TCM oncology; the international medical community has done a great deal of research on its anti-cancer effects. The Japanese pharmaceutical community has specifically produced its high-performance liquid chromatography fingerprint as a quality-assessment standard for manufacturing the medicine.

It is reported that when rats were fed the chemical carcinogen N-nitrosomorpholine and then 2%-4% Shiquan Dabu Tang was added to the food of the experimental group, after 15 weeks the liver damage (tumors) in the experimental group was much milder than in the control group not fed Shiquan Dabu Tang, and the immune lymphocytes infiltrating the liver tumors were significantly increased compared with the control. This experiment proves that Shiquan Dabu Tang achieves its anti-cancer effect by enhancing immune function.

In another experiment inducing bladder cancer, rats fed Shiquan Dabu Tang also fared much better than those not fed it. Shiquan Dabu Tang also has a significant inhibitory effect on intestinal metastasis of liver cancer in experimental mice, with an effect similar to cisplatin but far fewer side effects. Another experiment shows Shiquan Dabu Tang also has a clear inhibitory effect on lung metastasis of malignant melanoma in mice.

After using Shiquan Dabu Tang in patients receiving cytotoxic chemotherapy and radiotherapy, patients' blood counts improved significantly and their weight and stamina were well maintained. Clinically, I have observed that the proportion of leukopenia in chemoradiotherapy patients using Shiquan Dabu Tang is much lower than in those not using it. Postoperative patients using Shiquan Dabu Tang also recover more quickly.

The anti-cancer effect of Shiquan Dabu Tang alone is limited, but as part of a comprehensive medication regimen, it is very necessary for postoperative, post-chemotherapy, post-radiotherapy, and advanced debilitated patients.

Even TCM anti-cancer herbs that "attack poison with poison" or "activate blood and reduce swelling" have side effects; some Chinese herbs with obvious anti-cancer effects, such as Sanjiane (Cephalotaxus), Xishuguo (Camptotheca fruit), Maqianzi (Strychnos), and Hongdoushan (Taxus), can also cause anemia in patients. When using such herbs, pairing them with Shiquan Dabu Tang markedly reduces side effects while enhancing anti-cancer efficacy.

Shiquan Dabu Tang has a very wide range of applications, so there are many patent medicines produced according to it, such as Shiquan Dabu Wan and Shiquan Dabu granules from various manufacturers. These patent medicines are convenient for patients who cannot decoct herbs. Moreover, the price of patent medicines is relatively low, reducing patients' medication costs.