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    Tips from 30 years of Experience in Treating Cancer with
    Traditional Chinese Medicine

    By Professor Wenxia Huang, Tumor Hospital, Subsidy of Fudan University, Shanghai
    Translated by Chen Zhang

    How does ginger stop nausea and vomiting?

    Nausea and vomiting are very common in cancer patients. They often make the patients and their family members uneasy. They affect the appetite and worsen the condition of the patients. What are the reasons that lead to these symptoms? Generally the side effects of high dosage of some chemotherapeutic medicine, such as doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide and fluorouracil can make people nauseate and vomit. For patients with lung cancer, radiation-induced pneumonia from radiotherapy that results in prolonged coughing is a common cause. For liver cancer patients, liver dysfunction and damage caused by the radiation are the common causes. Antiemetics such as metoclopramide, zofran and kytril (granisetron) can stop nausea and vomiting during the treatment. But what can the patients do if nausea and vomiting continue after the treatment? According to the theory of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), we may use ginger to stop nausea and vomiting. With the characteristics of warm property and pungent flavor, ginger can warm the middle-jiao, reinforce the spleen and remove the stagnation. Ginger used with jujube not only can regulate yingqi and weiqi but also harmonize spleen and stomach. Ginger sauce may be used to treat "cold" vomiting and "watery" vomiting. Ginger can harmonize the five flavors, reduce toxins from the foods, increase appetite, dispel phlegm, and reduce coughing and asthma. Clinically we use ginger to treat nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy or liver dysfunction with excellent results.

    What precautions should be taken when decocting TCM herbs?

    Some cancer patients take TCM as a complementary and alternative therapy after the operation or while receiving chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Some terminal cancer patients who are abandoned by the conventional treatments turn to TCM therapy as the only hope. In such cases, the TCM doctors must use the TCM methods of diagnosis such as pulse rate and tongue conditions to prescribe the herbal treatment. But what is the correct way to decoct the herbs? First of all, the containers or boilers should be made of porcelain enamel or glass to prevent possible reactions between the herbs and the metallic containers. Secondly, some herbs should be dealt with individually because of their specific characteristics to guarantee the quality of the decoction and keep the therapeutic potency of the herbs. Some mineral herbs such as oyster shell and turtle shell should be decocted prior to other herbs. Some herbs such as rhubarb should be decocted later than other herbs. Some herbs such as asiatic plantain seed and Japanese climbing fern spore should be decocted with wrappings. Some herbs such as donkey-hide gelatin should be melted. The therapeutic effectiveness of the herbs will be diminished if these procedures are not followed. Thirdly, herbs should be soaked in cold water for 2 or 3 hours, brought to boiling, and then simmered over slow fire. The decocting time should be decided according to the properties of the herbs. Tonics may be decocted for 20-30 minutes after boiling. Heat-clearing and detoxifying herbs may be decocted for 10 minutes after boiling. Assistant herbs should be decocted for 15-20 minutes after boiling. Some elder patients had the misconception of decocting the herbs up to 1-2 hours because they thought this will increase the therapeutic effect, but the result is just the opposite, the effective component of herbs will lost mostly. What is the best time to administer these herbs? It is between two meals, so that neither appetite nor sleep will be affected. Oral administration of the herbal decoction immediately after a meal will lead to stomach distension, and administration at night will affect sleep. The best time is 9:30-10:00am or 2:30-3:00pm. The decoction is best taken warm, not hot nor cold..

    Can tea reduce the therapeutic potency of herbs?

    Some patients ask whether or not tea will reduce therapeutic potency of herbs. Actually tea is a kind of TCM herb itself. Its flavor is bitter. Its functions are as follows: First, tea can improve digestion. For instance, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery will cause patients to lose appetite. Drinking some green tea may reduce the feeling of distension and promote appetite. Secondly, tea may reduce greasiness. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy usually weaken the patients and reduce the absorption of proteins and fats. Drinking green tea may reduce greasiness and remove fatty food stagnation. Thirdly, tea can remove toxic materials. Patients with liver cancer, gallbladder cancer, pancreas cancer, or metastasized liver cancer obstructive jaundice often have symptoms such as biliary dilatation, portal vein tumor thrombi and obstructive jaundice. Green tea can make the bibirubin be excreted via the urine. Tea can also reduce the level of hepatic coma. Scientific studies show that there are some anticancer effects in green tea. There are vitamins, amino acids, catechins and tea polyphenol in green tea. The catechins will reduce the rates of spontaneous mutation. And the mutation is the key process of carcinogenesis. The catechins also can block carcinogen binding to the protein of cell membrane. Therefore, tea will not reduce the effectiveness of TCM herbs. It also has the benefits of anticancer effects.

    Is folk prescription credible?

    Advertisements like"Elder man will heal you with just one prescription" can be seen everywhere in China. It is because of these unfounded folk prescriptions that the family members of the cancer patient waste much money in them, sometimes even killing the patient. While treating cancer in the hospital, patient sometimes has visiting family members and friends bringing with them some folk prescriptions. They try to persuade the patient to take the folk prescription without the knowledge of the attending physician. They didn't know that those folk prescriptions have not been licensed by the Food and Drug Administration of China. They have not been tested scientifically, and have no reliable information of their properties and clinical evidence whatsoever. These folk prescriptions can interfere with the regular treatments. They can cause some unexpected symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or skin rash. For example, some patients are delayed to receive operation because of diarrhea and electrolyte disorders that result from these folk prescriptions. Treatments in some malignant lymphoma patients who need large dosage chemotherapy have to be interrupted because of the low level of their leukocyte and the dysfunction of their liver and kidney that are induced by some folk prescriptions. Sometimes a liver cancer patient has very large tumor even the attending physician hesitates to touch, the family members would bring in plaster coated with unknown black folk medicine and patch it on the tumor. They would also tell the patient to avoid almost all foods but crispy rice and rice soup. These misapplication leads to ascites, skin rash with the further growth of liver tumor. The interventional therapy and radiation therapy have to be interrupted.. These cases show that folk prescriptions often deteriorate patients' situation or even lead them to death. We strongly caution patients and their family members not to believe and use these folk prescriptions.

    Does turtle have anticancer effect?

    It is said that turtle is not only a kind of delicious food but also a kind of anticancer medicine to tumor patients. So once someone suffers from tumor, his family members and friends often come to see him with a turtle. Turtle is a kind of food that contains large amount of protein and a small amount of fat. So most people, whether they are weak or ill, can have turtle. Does turtle really have the effects of anticancer? In the opinion of traditional Chinese medicine, with neutral property and sweet flavor, turtle has the effects on nourishing yin, clearing heat, and cooling blood. The back shell of turtle is also a natural medicine with effects such as nourishing yin to suppress yang, softening hard masses and resolving lumps. From modern pharmacological studies, it is known that turtle may inhibit the hyperplasia of connective tissue. Turtle may be administered to hepatocirrhosis and hepatosplenomegaly patients with anemia and a low serum albumin concentration. So tumor patients with yin-deficiency may eat some turtle after the operation or radiotherapy. But turtle is not suitable to tumor patients who don't have appetite for food or with abdominal distension, it will make the situation deteriorated. Liver cancer patients with anemia and a low serum albumin concentration should eat some turtle to increase the amount of protein after the administration of diuretic. Stomach cancer patients can eat some turtle after operation to nourish yin if they have yin-deficiency signs, such as weakness, reddish tongue, and so on. In general, the effect of turtle is promoting immunity but not anticancer.

    Should tumor patients avoid certain food?

    Many tumor patients and their family members are concerned about whether tumor patients should avoid certain food. In fact there is no general rule about what kind of food should be avoided, it is decided by the specific type cancer. For example, liver cancer patients with ascites should avoid foods containing large amounts of salt and fat. Lung cancer patients with pleural effusion should avoid any pungent food. Nowadays most tumor patient and their family members say "no" to chicken and egg. They consider chicken and egg to be carcinogenic. In fact chicken is a kind of food with large amount of protein, vitamin, ferric element and a small amount of fat. In the opinion of traditional Chinese medicine, with warm in property and sweet in flavor, chicken will warm middle energizer to supplements asthenia and invigorate spleen to supplement qi. So there is no relation between chicken or egg and the size of tumor. Some patients who do not avoid eating chicken and egg are healing good, and vice versa. The different parts of chicken have different therapeutic effects. Silky fowl can invigorate liver blood and yin. Endothelium of chicken's gizzard can remove food retention. Membrane of hen egg's inner shell can treat laryngitis with hoarseness due to chronic cough. Therefore chicken is not only a kind of delicious food but also a kind of medicine. tumor patients should not miss the chance to enjoy it.

    Can tumor patients eat sea foods and pungent foods?

    It is said that tumor patients must not eat sea foods and pungent foods; otherwise the tumor will grow faster. This opinion has no scientific basis. The development of tumor has its own natural process. It is related to body's immunity. If avoiding many foods, without enough nutrition, patient will become weaker and weaker and have poor immunity. The tumor will then develop faster. Sea foods include fish, shrimp, crab, hairtail, yellow-fin tuna, kelp, alga, oyster, and many others. They are not only delicious foods with large amounts of proteins and minerals but also have some anticancer effects in traditional Chinese medicine. Many sea foods have the effects on softening hard masses and resolving lumps. Kelp and alga may treat hypothyroid tumor. Oyster shell has effects on nourishing yin to suppress yang, softening hard masses and resolving lumps, astringency. Hence, many sea foods are necessary to tumor patients. What about alcohol, tobacco, and pungent foods? People should stop smoking for its close relationship with lung cancer. Patients with liver cancer and hepatocirrhosis should avoid drinking alcohol. Stomach cancer patients who have received operation should avoid it too. As a kind of flavoring, yellow wine may be used to cook fish and crab. Ginger is a pungent food, but has some pharmacological effects that include stopping vomit and dispersing superficial pathogenic factors. Patients with nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy or radiotherapy should eat some ginger to invigorate spleen and promote appetite. Vinegar and capsicum in small quantity may be used as flavorings. Because of different eating habits of patients from different location, it is difficult to specify the kinds of pungent foods to be avoided. In general, they may be used in small amounts if used to promote appetite. It is therefore not recommended to specify sea foods or pungent foods to be avoided in general, but on a case-to-case basis.

    Can radish be eaten with Ginseng?

    Ginseng is the best choice of health-care materials of patients with tumor. The ginsengs include radix ginseng, wild ginseng, American ginseng. There are some different methods to administer ginseng. You can cut ginseng into pieces and then soak them into boiled water or just keep them in your mouth. You can also braise Ginseng in a china pot and then drink the juice. Or more conveniently, you can take some American ginseng pills. We always suggest patients with nasopharynx cancer, hypothyroid cancer, amygdalae cancer, craniofacial tumor to take 3 or 4 gram America ginseng every day if they get xerostomia while or after they receive radiation therapy. We also advise patients with stomach cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer, liver cancer to take some radix ginseng or wild ginseng when they need invigorate their primordial qi. But we find that most people don't take radish with ginseng. Their reason is radish will destroy the effects of ginseng. In fact, containing a large amount of vitamin C, radish is not only a kind of vegetable but also a kind of Chinese herb. The effects of radish include improving digestion to remove food retention, lowering the adverse flow of qi and resolving phlegm. Radish can often be used by the patients with abdominal distension, eructation, acid regurgitation, diarrhea and bellyache. For example, liver cancer patients with abdominal distension may take some radish decoction to reduce the degree of distension and feel better. Therefore tumor patients may take radish with ginseng. The two will mutually reinforce and promote appetite.

    Why should tumor patients avoid massage?

    Some tumor patients feel strange and uneasy that doctors in tumor hospital avoid touching the tumor. Some of them may apply folk prescriptions, others may try massage on their own trying to reduce the size of the tumor. Unfortunately, this will make tumor grow faster, or even ulcerate. Massage will result in liver rupturing in liver cancer patients with large masses, it may even lead patients to die. Instead of going to see a doctor, some people apply anti-inflammatory plaster on the breast bump. The size of tumor then gets larger and larger, and the operation has to be delayed. Massage is forbidden in the tumor locals. The connection among cancer cells is not hard enough. Cancer cells tend to drop from the mass. Every milliliter blood will take 200 cancer cells away, and the cancer cells are moving themselves. In incubated condition, they will move 0.9-4.4 micron every minute. Breast cancer cells will move 2.4 micron every minute when incubated. It means they will move 10 centimeter every month. So we should avoid touching tumor local as much as possible. Plaster applications are forbidden. If touching the tumor is necessary for diagnosis, it should be touched very gently.

    Should cancer patients take Chinese herbs?

    It is still a controversial topic that cancer patient should take some Chinese herbs. In the opinion of traditional Chinese medicine, tumor is a kind of disease involving all parts of the human body and the mass is just some local manifestation. Tumor is caused by the immunity dysfunction. Therefore in addition to surgery, radiotherapy, or chemotherapy, tumor patients may take some Chinese herbs to promote the body defense. Some patients are characterized as "deficiency of both qi and blood" by syndromes including fatigue, swirl and anorexia. They may take herbs, such as ginseng, angelica, Chinese date, root of membranous milkvetch, to improve the body condition. Some patients receive chemotherapy and then get weakness, vomiting, anorexia with a very low quantity of leukocyte. They may take some herbs to reduce the toxicity of the chemotherapeutic drugs, such as tangshen root, rhizome of largehead at ractylodes, Tuckahoe, turtle carapace, seed of Chinese dodder, or eucomia bark. If it is too late to receive surgery, radiotheraphy and chemotherapy in terminal cancer patients. Then the patients may take some Chinese herbs to slow down progression of the tumor. Such herbs include ginseng, root of membranous milkvetch, liquorice, and Liuwei Dihuang decoction. These herbs may inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells. We may summarize the effects of traditional Chinese medicine in three points: 1. To increase the resistance and to regulate or improve the condition of patients. 2. To regulate the process of metabolism and to improve the synthesis of proteins. 3. To enhance the immune system, to increase the anti-cancer resistance, to improve quality of life, and to prolong survival time. Therefore it is beneficial to take some Chinese herbs together with the conventional treatments under the supervision of TCM professionals.

    Successful Testimonials of Dr. Huang's Patients

    Although Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) alone can cure cancer, TCM doesn't reject the use of conventional surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. In fact the practice of TCM sometimes requires the philosophy of poison (such as radiation or chemotherapy) against another poison (such as cancer). However, after the cancer poison is removed by the radiant or chemo poison, TCM reinforces body's resistance with tonic herbs and other therapeutic herbs according to the patient's conditions. It is important that the post "poison" treatment of tonic and other therapeutic herbs be individualized to the conditions of the patient. Every patient has his or her own biochemical individuality and pre-existing other non-life-threatening chronic disorders, the prescription to prevent the recurrence of the cancer for each patient will be different. The testimonials shown below were mostly patients who used TCM herbs together with surgery, radiation or chemotherapy during the conventional therapy, and continued to use maintenance dosage of TCM herbs to prevent the recurrence. According to Dr. Huang, the greatest value of TCM in the so-called Integrated TCM therapy where TCM combines with conventional therapies is the prevention of the recurrence. This is proven by some of her many patients who have survived decades after the Integrated TCM therapy as shown in the following testimonials.

    Ms. Zhou, a 73 years old teacher, was found invasive ductal carcinoma in left breast on May 24th, 1984. She received six courses of chemotherapy with Chinese herbs. She continued to receive annual clinical follow-up and was prescribed a TCM herbal formula Sijunzi decoction with variations based on her conditions during the follow-up. she has been cancer-free for the last 20 years, and is now alive and well in 2004.

    Three cancer patients in one family, all treated with Integrated TCM, all alive and well in 2004

    Ms Yin (middle), 75 years old, was found invasive ductal carcinoma in left breast in Feb, 1986. She received surgery and six courses of chemotherapy. In 1996 she was found a primary invasive ductal carcinoma in right breast, and received a resection. She also received chemotherapy with Chinese herbs. She is now alive and well, and can take care of her grandson.

    Ms. Bai (right), Ms. Yin's 42 years old daughter. She was found left breast invasive ductal carcinoma and received a resection in 1995. She also received chemotherapy with Chinese herbs, and continued to take maintenance dose of Chinese herbs to smooth liver and regulate qi. She is now alive and well.

    Mr. Bai (left), Ms. Yin's 46 years old son, was found spermary cancer in 1998. After the surgery, he took radiotherapy and Chinese herbs. Now he is alive and well, and is taking care of her mother.

    Ms. Zhu, a 56 years old banking staff, was found invasive ductal carcinoma in left breast in 1987. She had surgery and chemotherapy. She continued to take traditional chinese medicine after the chemotherapy. Now she is alive and well in 2004, and travels around the country many times a year.

    Ms. Wang, a 50 years old cadre, was found left breast invasive ductal carcinoma in Jul, 1997. After the surgery, she received six courses of chemotherapy and Chinese herbs. She continued to take Chinese herbs and had clinical follow-up. She is now alive and well in 2004, and takes part in entertainments.

    Ms. Lu is 48 years old. She was found invasive ductal carcinoma in left breast in 1998. After the surgery, she took chemotherapy and Chinese herbs. She is now alive and well in 2004, and is doing housework.

    Ms. Lou, a 49 years old clerk, was fond breast invasive ductal carcinoma. After operation, she took six courses of chemotherapy and traditional Chinese medicine. She received clinical follow-up every six months, and is now alive and well in 2004.

    She is a 60 years old teacher. She was found invasive ductal carcinoma in left breast in 1996. After the surgery, she continued to take traditional Chinese medicine with western medicine. She is now alive and well in 2004.

    Ms Shao, a 57 years old teacher. She was found malign lymphoma in July of 1996. She received chemotherapy and radiation therapy together with Chinese herbs. She continued to take maintenance dose of Chinese herbs after the chemotherapy. She is now alive and well in 2004.

    Mr. Zhou is 45 years old now. He received surgery for ileocecal adenocarcinoma on Mar. 17th, 1995. Three months later, the tumor recurred. He then took 12 courses of chemotherapy together with Chinese herbs. He is now alive and well in 2004 and is working regularly. (his father and grandfather both died of intestine cancer).

    Mr. Zhu, a 58 years old worker, was found hepatocellular carcinoma in 1996. While receiving local radiotherapy he had ascites, jaundice and weight loss. He took Chinese herbs to treat the ascites, jaundice, and weight loss. He continued to take maintenance dose of Chinese herbs, and is now alive and well in 2004.

    Ms Zhu, a 60 years old worker, had received a operation and six courses chemotherapy for stomach adenocarcinoma in 1996. She was found ileus with lymph metastasis in 1998. Then she took chemotherapy and Chinese herbs to cure the metastasis. She is now alive and well in 2004, and is shown with her children in the photo.

    Ms. Li, a 75 years old worker, was found small cell lung cancer in 1998. After radiotherapy, because of the low level of leukocyte, erythrocyte, she couldn't receive chemotherapy. She took traditional Chinese medicine. Now the tumor is controlled, she is stronger than before.

    Mr. Li, a 76 years old farmer, was received an operation for stomach adenocarcinoma in 1994. He took chemotherapy with traditional Chinese medicine. He occasionally suffered reflux gastritis. His situation is now under control.

    Mr. Fang, a 74 years old teacher. He had received a operation, radiotherapy and chemotherapy for esophagus cancer. He took traditional Chinese medicine for dysphagia and hoarseness. He is now alive and well in 2004.

    Dr. Wenxia Huang working in her office at Shanghai Cancer Hospital, a subsidy of Fudan University

    Dr. Wenxia Huang receiving patient at Shanghai Cancer Hospital, Subsidy of Fudan University, Shanghai

    Cancer patients in the waiting room of Shanghai Cancer Hospital, Subsidy of Fudan University, Shanghai

    Clinical Treatment of Carcinoma of The Elderly According to the
    Theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine

    By Prof Wenxia Huang, Tumor Hospital, Subsidy of Fudan University, Shanghai

    Presented at the 31st Cancer Control Conference Doctors' Workshop, Los Angeles, 2003
    Translated by Yehua Shen, a graduate student of Dr. Huang

    Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is an indispensable part of the Chinese culture and needs to be further explored to benefit people all over the world.

    Longevity for the aged is an issue drawing more and more attention. One-hundred-year life, a symbol of health and longevity and enjoyed by a few old people, is the result of synthetic action of various factors. In China, many old people cultivate their health and prevent senility by means of diet therapy and Qigong in accordance with the theory of TCM. Some of them, by adopting the therapeutic methods of TCM, have rehabilitated from carcinoma and regained health.

    How to use the theory and therapeutic methods of TCM to treat carcinoma among the aged? We have summarized a practical procedure in clinical practice. That is to differentiate the disease first and then differentiate the Zheng (syndrome or pattern of a disease). In this way we have broaden our thinking and selected effective therapeutic methods by integrating TCM with modern medicine. A clear distinction of the pathological changes is quiet helpful for selecting therapeutic methods. For example, the symptoms and signs of carcinous ulceration and benign ulceration of the stomach in the aged are of little difference. But a careful study of the pathological changes may make a big difference. Take hepatitis among the aged for another example. Due to long-term rest, the patients appear obese, transaminase tend to drop and there is painin the liver region. These sings may suggest disorder of lipometabolism because the liver is the organ that produces lipase. If it is proved to be fatty liver by test, the rise of transaminase cannot be effectively stopped by Chun Pencao (Herba Sedi, stringy stonecrop herb) or Wuweizi (Fructus Schisandrae; fruit of Chinese magnoliavine). So for the treatment of the aged, we have to explore the causes as well as the pathological, physiological and biochemical changes. Besides, we must pay much attention to the changes of diseases in their process of progress. Take hepatocarcinoma and ascites due to cirrhosis for example. According to modern medicine, the ascites due to cirrhosis indicates, 1. decrease of plasma albumin due to reduction of functional hepatocytes, increase of denatured hepatocytes and hypotrophy of the hepatocytes; 2. portal hypertension due to change of osmotic pressure and ascites caused by intrahepatic hyperplasia, hepatojugular reflux disturbance and oozing of lumph containing high protein from the surface of the liver; 3. the kidney and the endocrine factors because the reduction of the blood volume in the kidney leads to reduced glomercular filtration rate, re-distribution of the blood in the kidney, secondary increase of aldosterone, and reduced inactivation of the liver which results in the increase of aldosterone, antidiuretic harmone and retention of urine. The advantage of the modern medicine in treating ascites due to cirrhosis lies in the third aspect mentioned above. A part from limiting the absorption of sodium, modern medicine makes use of other diuretics at different stages to increase glomerular filtration rate, decrease re-absorption of the renal tubules or resist aldosterone.

    According to the theory of TCM, hepatocarcinoma and ascites due to cirrhosis in the aged pertain to the Zhenghou (Syndrome or Pattern) of Qi Stagnation and Blood Stasis. To treat such a problem, the therapy for soothing the liver and regulating Qi alone does not work well. Since stasis and obstruction also can lead to stagnation of Qi, stasis is the major problem. Cirrhosis tends to occur after hepatitis. That is why there are the symptoms of retention of Damp-Heat and Consumption of Yin at the advanced stage. The major problem at the advanced stage is Heat. According to the theory of TCM, ascites and dropsy of the lower limbs are usually caused by failure of the spleen to transform water. According to the literature concerning the relationship between the biopsy of the liver and the clinical symptoms, pathologically there often find the formation of pseudolobuli, hyperplasia of fibrotissues and changes of bile thrombus. Clinically hepatosplenomeagly, varix of esophagus, jaundice and increased globulin are frequently found among the aged patients. These problems are similar to Stasis in TCM. Pathologically, the patients with denatured hepatocytes often show such symptoms like digestive tract disorder, reduction of albumin and profuse ascites which are similar to Pixu (Spleen-Deficiency or Spleen-Asthenia). The patients with swollen and distending hepatocytes, focal necrosis, inflammatory infiltration and Kupffer's cells show the symptoms of fever, pain in the liver region, cephalin-cholesterol flocculation reaction and increase of thymol turbidity which are similar to Heat in TCM. Such an analysis makes it clear that we can find common ground between TCM and modern medicine. The advantages of TCM in treating the problems lie in the first and the second factors mentioned above. The first factor is due to consumption of Yin by Heat that damages the hepatocytes. The herbs for clearing away Heat and removing Toxin can enable the hepatocytes to restore its function to produce albumin, such as Huangliang (Rhizoma Coptidis; rhizome of Chinese goldthread), Huangqin (Radix Astragali; root of membranous milkvetch), Zhanzhi (Fructus Gardeniae; fruit of cape jasmine), Longdancao (Radix Gentianae), Tianjihuang (Herba Hyperici Japonici; Japanese St. John's wort herb), Pugongying (Herba Taraxaci; Monolian dandelion herb) and Xiakucao (Spica Prunellae; common selfheal spike) etc. If Heat is not cleared away, the use of albumin, adenosine triphosphale and coenzyme A alone doe not work well. If there are no symptoms of Damp-Heat, Deficiency-Heat and Excess-Heat, the herbs for strengthening the spleen and regulating Qi can increase albumin by improving the functions of the hepatocytes, such as Huangqin (Radix Astragali; root of membranous milkvetch), Dangshen (Radix Codonopsis; tangshen root) and Taizishen (Ì«×Ó²ÎRadix Pseudostellariae; root of heterophylla falsestarwort), etc. The second factor is due to the hyperplasia of fibrous tissues, formation of hepatic pseudolobuli and unsmooth flow of blood in the liver. The herbs for activating blood and removing stasis can soften hyperplasia diseases and promoting blood flow, therefore reducing portal hypertension. For mild cases, Danshen (Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae; root of red-rooted salvia), Danggui (µ±¹éRadix Angelicae Sinensis; root of Chinese angelica), Paoshanjia (Squama Manitis Praeparata; prepared pangolin scale) can be used. For severe cases, Xuefu Zhuyu Tang can be used with the addition of some herbs for regulating Qi for promoting blood flow, such as Yujin (Óô½ðRadix Curcumae; common turmeric root), Xiangfu (Rhizoma Cyperi; rhizome of nutgrass galingale) and Zhike (Fructus Aurantii; bitter orange). The curative effect of the herbs mentioned above is proved by the research done in the light of integrated traditional Chinese and modern medicine and clinical observation. The pharmacological mechanism of some herbs is still unclear now and their compatibility still needs further research. Based on the pathology and physiology as well as the differentiation of diseases and the differentiation of Zheng (Syndrome or Pattern), a new diagnostic and therapeutic system is developed. It is quiet effective for eliminating and preventing ascites.

    In clinical practice, the disease and Zheng (Syndrome or Pattern) of many aged patients suffering from carcinoma appear contradictory. In fact, there is some difference between clinical manifestations and the nature of diseases. For example, hemorrhage of upper digestive tract (hepatocarcinoma or gastrocarcinoma) is a commonly encountered emergent disease in internal medicine. To treat such a disease, modern medicine usually use hemostatics and has no definite rules. Hemorrhage of upper digestive tract is marked by light retention of nitrogenous substance due to long time to stop occult hematochezia caused by retention of old hemorrhage. But modern medicine does not use purgatives to eliminate old blood lest that rehemorrhage be caused by gastric ulcer due to increased gastrointestinal peristalsis. According to Bianzheng (differentiation of Syndromes) in TCM, hematemesis is caused by hyperactivity of Stomach-Fire and melena is caused by retention of stagnant blood inside the body. If stagnant blood cannot be removed from the body, Heat in the stomach may rise again. For this reason, Sanhuang Xiexin Tang is used. Crude Dahuang (Radix et Rhizoma Rhei; root and rhizome of medicinal rhubarb) in this formula is effective in stopping bleeding and preventing stasis. The combined use of Crude Dahuang (Radix et Rhizoma Rhei; root and rhizome of medicinal rhubarb) and Baiji (Rhizoma Bletillae; tuber of common bletilla) is proved effective for stopping bleeding and eliminating stasis. There is report about a comparative study on hemorrhage of upper digestive tract, comparing 19 cases (gastric and duodenal ulcer proved by gastrointestinal barium meal examination) treated by hemorrhage-stopping and stasis-eliminating therapy with 16 cases treated by modern medicine. It has proved that the hemorrhage-stopping and stasis-eliminating therapy can effectively and immediately stop hemorrhage, eliminate blood stasis and shorten the time for stopping occult hematochezia, appearing helpful for deciding whether there is hemorrhage in clinical treatment. Lung cancer and pneumonia in the aged with the symptoms of aversion to cold, fever, cough with yellowish sputum, chest oppression and dyspnea, according to the Bianzheng (differentiation of Syndromes) in TCM, are caused by cold in the exterior and heat in the interior or invasion of Heat into Wefen (the defensive-phase). Though it can be treated by Yinqiao San, or Maxing Shigan Tang, or Mahu Tang, the effect in removing Heat is slow. According to modern medicine, they are caused by pathological changes of the lung. Aversion to cold and chills are the signs of impending high fever. When carcinous Heat and interior inflammation are controlled, chills and fever can be stopped immediately. It is unlike common cold. TCM believes that the disease is still superficial at this stage and that it is necessary to bring the defensive function of the body surface into full play. So the herbs for clearing away Heat in the lung and removing toxin can be selected to deal with fever in lung cancer. The herbs that can be used for this purpose include Yuxingcao (Herba Houttuyniae; heartleaf houttuynia herb), Banzhilian (Herba Portulacae Grandiflorae; largeflower purslane herb), Yazhicao, Yeqiaomaigen and Huzhang (Polygonia Curpidati; rhizome of Japanese fleecceflower). The herbs for relieving the superficies or dissipating Weifen (defensive phase) should not be used.

    Adoption of the advantages of both TCM and modern medicine and emphasis on the differentiation of both diseases and Syndromes can enrich diagnostic and therapeutic methods and increase the curative effect. Since the study on the theory of TCM is based on clinical practice, much of the clinical experiences need to be theoretically analyzed. On the other hand, advanced scientific methods should be used to study the essentials of TCM so as to make it more practical and scientific in guiding clinical treatment. Such a synthetic study is also quiet beneficial to the integration of the theory of TCM and the theory of modern medicine, paving the way for the establishment of a new system of medicine.

    End of the translation

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