Yangxue Shengfa Capsule for Chemotherapy-Induced Anemia and Hair Loss
The formula of Yangxue Shengfa Capsule (Blood-Nourishing Hair-Growing Capsule) comes from Volume I of the 2005 edition of the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China. Its ingredients are: prepared rehmannia root (Shudihuang), Angelica sinensis / dong quai (Danggui), Notopterygium (Qianghuo), Chaenomeles fruit (Mugua), Sichuan lovage rhizome (Chuanxiong), white peony root (Baishao), dodder seed (Tusizi), Gastrodia rhizome (Tianma), and processed Polygonum multiflorum / fleeceflower root (Zhi Heshouwu). The preparation method is as follows: of the above nine ingredients, Danggui, Qianghuo, Chuanxiong, processed Heshouwu, and Tianma are ground into a fine powder; the remaining four ingredients, including Shudihuang, are decocted in water three times, for two hours each on the first and second occasions and one hour on the third. The decoctions are combined and filtered, and the filtrate is concentrated to an appropriate amount, mixed well with the fine powder above, made into granules, dried, sifted, and filled into capsules, each capsule containing 0.5 g. Orally take twice daily, four capsules each time. This is the adult dosage; children may reduce it proportionally according to body weight relative to adults.
Yangxue Shengfa Capsule has the actions of nourishing blood and supplementing the kidney, and expelling wind to promote hair growth. It is indicated for alopecia areata, alopecia totalis, seborrheic alopecia, itchy scalp, excessive dandruff, excessive oiliness, and hair loss after illness or after childbirth. This product not only promotes hair growth but also raises red blood cell count and hemoglobin content; in mice with cyclophosphamide-induced aplastic anemia, it raises red and white blood cell counts. In addition, Yangxue Shengfa Capsule also has anti-allergic and anti-pruritic effects. Some clinical trials have shown that Yangxue Shengfa Capsule has good efficacy both for alopecia areata and for dysmenorrhea.
Yangxue Shengfa Capsule is also suitable for cancer patients who develop hair loss and anemia after chemotherapy. In this formula, Shudihuang, Danggui, Chuanxiong, and Baishao are the components of Siwu Tang (Four-Substance Decoction), the famous TCM blood-tonifying formula; processed Heshouwu also supplements the kidney and fills essence, nourishes yin and blood, and promotes hair growth and blackening. Hence this formula has a strong blood-nourishing effect. On the basis of nourishing blood, Qianghuo is added to expel wind and dampness, Mugua to relax the tendons and collaterals and harmonize the stomach and transform dampness, Tusizi to supplement yang and boost yin and generate fluids to quench thirst, and Tianma to expel wind and unblock the collaterals and extinguish wind to stop spasms. When these medicines are used together, they achieve the effect of nourishing blood and supplementing the kidney and expelling wind to promote hair growth.
If this formula is used together with Erzhi Wan (Two-to Pill), its blood-nourishing and hair-growing effect is even more pronounced. Erzhi Wan consists of Eclipta (Mohanlian) and glossy privet fruit (Nüzhenzi); according to TCM theory, Erzhi Wan has the actions of supplementing the liver and kidney and nourishing yin to stop bleeding. It can be used for liver-kidney yin deficiency with dizziness and tinnitus, dry throat and nose, soreness and weakness of the lower back and knees, and heavy menstruation. However, in my clinical practice I have found that Erzhi Wan also has anti-anxiety, sleep-promoting, hair-growing, and blood-nourishing effects, and is very suitable for cancer patients. Nevertheless, patients with spleen deficiency and loose stools may develop side effects such as abdominal pain and diarrhea after taking Erzhi Wan, so it should be used with caution.
Yangxue Shengfa Capsule is sold by several proprietary Chinese medicine manufacturers on the market; patients need not prepare this capsule themselves and can buy it at pharmacies or online pharmacies. This product is an over-the-counter (OTC) medicine and does not require a doctor's prescription.
However, Yangxue Shengfa Capsule may cause some adverse reactions, such as nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, abdominal distension, diarrhea, stomachache, acid regurgitation, constipation, dark urine, jaundice, pruritus, fatigue, fever, elevated blood pressure, chest tightness, palpitations, dizziness, headache, and insomnia. These are relatively uncommon drug side effects. If such reactions occur during use, the patient should stop the medication immediately. The adverse reactions generally resolve within 24-72 hours of stopping the drug.