A Simple External TCM Formula for Relieving Cancer Pain

This is a small formula used by a lung cancer patient in the final stage of life. The patient's family provided it to me. While using this formula, the patient was also using it along with three other patients for pain relief; two of the three achieved good relief of cancer pain. The family of this lung cancer patient hopes I will spread the formula to help some patients who are suffering deeply from cancer pain.

Prescription: Pengsha (Borax) 10 g, Ku Fan (calcined Alum) 15 g, Bingpian (Borneol) 45 g, 75% medical alcohol 500 ml.

Method of use: First dissolve the borneol in the alcohol, then dissolve the borax and calcined alum in the above solution. When using, dip a cotton swab in the solution and apply it wherever there is pain.

Pengsha (borax) is a crystal refined and purified from the natural borate mineral borax of the borax family, also called Yueshi, Pensha, or Pengsha. Its nature, flavor, and channel entry: sweet, cold, and cool; it enters the lung and stomach channels.

The main actions of borax are to clear heat and detoxify, clear the lung and transform phlegm, and disperse swelling and stop pain. Borax is toxic and is rarely taken internally; for external use it can well protect the skin and mucous membranes. Ancient formulas also used borax together with cinnabar externally to treat sores and painful swellings. For external use, borax is generally ground into a fine powder, sprinkled dry on the affected area, or dissolved in boiling water, cooled, and used to wash the wound. It may also, as in this formula, be dissolved in alcohol.

Ku Fan (calcined alum), also called Duan Baifan, is made by placing alum in a clay pot, heating it until it melts and calcining it to a withered state, then taking it out. Calcined alum consists of irregular crystals of varying sizes, white, transparent, hard, and brittle. It does not easily dissolve in alcohol, but it is soluble in a mixed solution of borneol and alcohol.

Calcined alum is sour in flavor and cold in nature, with slight toxicity. Its main actions are to dissipate phlegm, dry dampness, stop diarrhea, stop bleeding, detoxify, and kill parasites. Ancient materia medica records also note its effect in treating sores and painful swellings. It is relatively safe for external use.

Bingpian (borneol), also called Piannao, Jiepian, Longnao Xiang, Meihua Bingpian, Bingpian Nao, Jieluoxiang, Meihua Nao, and Mei Bing, is obtained by steam distillation and recrystallization from the stems and leaves of Blumea balsamifera (Compositae) or from the branches and leaves of the camphor-tree species Cinnamomum camphora (Long-nao variety); it may also be produced from turpentine through a series of chemical processes. Clinically it is mainly used for closed-type patterns of clouded spirit, red swollen painful eyes, throat obstruction and mouth ulcers, and sores that swell, hurt, or fail to heal after ulceration. Borneol is toxic and should be used cautiously in the clinic.

All three herbs in this formula have the action of dispersing swelling and stopping pain. Dissolved in alcohol for external use, they are relatively safe; note that this preparation must not be taken internally.