Three External Formulas for Treating Cancer Pain
The journal Jiangsu Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine (2022, 23, 20) once published an external formula for treating cancer pain called "Huahua Zhentong Gao" (Cancer-Resolving Pain-Relieving Plaster). Its composition is: Shexiang (Moschus/Musk), Pishi (arsenolite, i.e. arsenic trioxide), Zhi Nanxing (processed Arisaema), Zhi Banxia (processed Pinellia), Zhi Chuanwu (processed Aconitum carmichaelii), Maqianzi (Strychnos), Zhi Ruxiang (processed Olibanum), Zhi Moyao (processed Myrrh), and Danshen (Salvia). The original text did not specify the dosage of each herb; the following dosages may be used for reference: Shexiang 3 g, arsenic trioxide 6 g, Zhi Nanxing 15 g, Zhi Banxia 15 g, Zhi Chuanwu 15 g, Maqianzi 6 g, Zhi Ruxiang 15 g, Zhi Moyao 15 g, Danshen 15 g.
When preparing the plaster, first decoct the above Zhi Nanxing, Zhi Banxia, Zhi Chuanwu, Maqianzi, Zhi Ruxiang, Zhi Moyao and Danshen in sesame oil until the drops form beads when dropped into water, then add Shexiang and arsenic trioxide, stirring repeatedly into a thick plaster, allow to cool and seal for later use.
When using, fill an empty plaster patch with 3-6 mm of the plaster and apply it externally to the relevant acupoints and Ashi points. For lung cancer, apply to both sides of the Feishu (BL13) and Gaohuang (BL43) points; for gastric cancer, apply to the Guanyuan (CV4) point and the area where the stomach lies; for liver cancer, apply to the Guanyuan (CV4) point and the liver region; for breast cancer, apply to the Rugen (ST5), Danzhong (CV17), Qimen (LR14) points and the local mass. This formula has the actions of resolving cancer and detoxifying, resolving phlegm and dispersing nodules, and activating blood and relieving pain. It can be used for various kinds of cancerous pain and has a certain inhibitory effect on tumor progression; in a few patients the tumor may shrink after use.
The Hunan Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine (1995, 11, 8) once published Xu Lichun's article "Clinical Observation on Treating 30 Cases of Cancer Pain with External Tianxianzi San," which introduced another external formula for cancer pain called "Tianxianzi San."
This formula consists of: Tianxianzi (Hyoscyamus niger seed) and Bingpian (Borneol), 20 g each. Grind the herbs into powder, mix well, and keep sealed. When using, take the above powder, mix with warm boiled water into a thick paste; once cool, spread it on gauze and apply externally to the painful area, with the application area slightly larger than the painful area. The herbal layer should be 2-3 mm thick; cover with plastic film and secure with adhesive tape, changing once daily. Alternatively, an empty plaster patch may be filled with a suitable amount of the paste prepared from the powder and applied directly.
This formula mainly treats cancerous pain. Bingpian (Borneol) is one of the most effective external analgesic Chinese medicines. Tianxianzi is the dried ripe seed of Hyoscyamus niger, a plant of the Solanaceae family, and is toxic. Traditional medicine holds that it has the actions of calming convulsions and relieving pain, and spasmolysis and tranquillizing dyspnea, and mainly treats epigastric and abdominal pain, rheumatic arthralgia, and epileptic convulsions. This formula combines Tianxianzi and Bingpian for external pain relief, with a relatively rapid effect. If effective, it can reduce cancer pain within a few minutes; if there is no effect at all after 3 days of use, there is no need to continue.
Beijing Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine (1995, 14(1): 38) once published Chen Qingqiang's "Observation on the Efficacy of Modified "Sansheng San" Applied Externally in Treating 30 Cases of Cancer Pain," introducing another external cancer-pain formula called "Modified Sansheng San."
The formula is as follows: Sheng Chuanwu (raw Aconitum), Sheng Nanxing (raw Arisaema), Sheng Banxia (raw Pinellia), and Bingpian (Borneol), in equal amounts each; half a portion of raw Maqianzi (Strychnos) powder; and an appropriate amount of raw Furongye (Hibiscus mutabilis leaf). Grind Sheng Chuanwu, Sheng Nanxing, Sheng Banxia, Sheng Maqianzi and Bingpian together into powder, add the mashed Furongye, mix into a paste, and keep sealed. When using, apply the ointment to the body surface over the painful area, cover with oil paper to prevent evaporation of the medicinal solution, and secure with gauze on the outside; change the dressing once daily.
This formula has the actions of clearing heat and detoxifying, resolving phlegm and relieving pain, and mainly treats various pains of advanced cancer. All of the above plasters can be loaded into empty plaster patches and applied to the painful area. Empty plaster patches can be bought online; when choosing them, note that the inner ring should be slightly larger than the painful area.
All three formulas above have analgesic effects, and the herbs used are all somewhat toxic; they are for external use only, and oral ingestion is strictly forbidden. However, some of the medicinal materials in these formulas may not be available at ordinary pharmacies, and some of the herbs used are drugs controlled by the State Council, requiring qualified medical institutions to prepare them.