Materia Medica - Chinese Herbal Medicine

Materia Medica | Tonic Herbs | Traditional Tonic Herbs | Tonic Herb Formulas | Treating Side Effects
Formulas for Chemotherapy - Side Effects | Radiation Therapy Side Effects | Chronic Ulcers | Bibliography

Materia Medica
Chinese Herbal Medicine is actually called Chinese Drug Therapy in China because it uses a wide variety of substances and therapeutic modalities. Plant, animal and mineral substances are all included in the Materia Medica of Chinese Drug Therapy. The earliest uses date back at least 4,000 years to the Shang dynasty. Characters representing medicinal substances have been found carved into oracular bone fragments. These were used diagnostically by the Wu Shaman of this time.

The earliest Materia Medica, the Sheng Nung Peng Tsao, recorded over 10,000 medicinal substances. While there seems to be an almost unlimited amount of medicinal substances, the most commonly used number around 200 with some used only on rare occasions.

There have been a number of different schools of thought in the history of Chinese Herbal Medicine. Paul Unschuld, in his book "Chinese Medicine: A History of Ideas" states that Chinese Herbal Medicine was closely associated with and heavily influenced by the Taoist tradition, while acupuncture was more closely aligned with the Confucian tradition. This was probably due to Taoist explorations in the use of herbal and mineral substances in the search for immortality. Some of the different schools of thought include the school of febrile disease, the school of cold disease, the school of purgation, the school of spleen-stomach, and the school of kidney tonification. They have all contributed both theories and formulas that make up the current styles of use that are popular today.

Chinese medicinal substances are commonly used in combinations called formulas. There are few circumstances in which single herbs are used. This is because formulas are designed to address the combination of symptoms that a person presents for treatment.

The single herbs in the Materia Medica are arranged in categories that reflect their major therapeutic effect. These categories may be additionally subdivided to give greater precision in use.

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The major categories in common use are:

herbs that release the exterior	herbs that clear heat	downward draining herbs
herbs that drain dampness	herbs that dispel wind-dampness	herbs that transform phlegm and stop coughing
aromatic herbs that transform dampness	herbs that relieve food stagnation	herbs that regulate the qi
herbs that regulate the blood	herbs that warm the interior and expel cold	tonifying herbs
herbs that stabilize and bind	substances that calm the spirit	aromatic substances that open the orifices
substances that extinguish wind and stop tremors	herbs that expel parasites	substances for external application

The commonly used formulas are also arranged in these same categories with corresponding subdivisions.

Treatment with Chinese drug therapy is done by utilizing the basic theories of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that are also used by acupuncture and Tuina therapy. The practitioner questions the person about their symptoms and then examines their tongue, palpates their pulse and body, carefully observes any distinguishing characteristics of their coloring, smell, voice, posture, movement or skin. The information acquired from this process is then arranged in a sequential causal pattern to arrive at a diagnosis of the person's condition. Then a specific formula is selected from the most common traditional formulas. This formula may then be modified through the addition or subtraction of substances or dosages. This is done to arrive at a very specific formula for the person's specific symptom pattern. This formula can be administered in the form of a decoction, infusion, tincture, powder, pill, plaster, poultice, bolus, draft or capsule. Many of the traditional formulas are available in tincture, pill, powder or capsule form from commercial herb companies. Raw herbs, or unprepared herbs, can be purchased from a practitioner or at a Chinese Herbal Pharmacy.

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Chinese Drug Therapy can be used for:

infertility	impotence	rashes, acne
musculoskeletal pain	headaches	digestive disorders
colds, flus, sore throats, cough	sinus congestion	male and female reproductive disorders
chronic fatigue, immune system disorders

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Tonic Herbs
Tonic herbs are used in Chinese medicine to increase the function of organs that are not operating at their highest level. They are also used to prevent a decline in the function of organs. Tonic herbs may be used to increase awareness of energetic, psychological and spiritual states in human beings.

Tonic herbs are used in either single herb or multiple herb form, and can be taken as pills, powders, decoctions, drafts, extracts, syrups or soups. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, tonic herbs are used to address deficiency in either the Qi, Blood, Yin or Yang functions. These functions are associated with organs and specific physiological processes.

Qi is associated with the Spleen and Lung. Blood is associated with the Liver, Spleen and Heart. Yang is associated with the Kidneys. Yin is associated with the Liver and Kidneys.

The Qi is the activating component of the body's metabolism. Blood is the nourishing and structural component. Yang is the activating force of the Qi . Yin is the fluid and moistening influence. All of these functions must be in harmony for the physical, energetic, emotional and spiritual aspects of human beings to be healthy and balanced. Any imbalance results in symptoms of some type.

Cautions for taking tonic herbs: Do not take tonic herbs in any acute illness or if extremely weak.

Side effects: dry mouth and lips, irritability, insomnia, indigestion and abdominal distension, nausea, loss of appetite.

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Tonify the Qi			Tonify the Blood
Four gentlemen decoction - Si Jun Zi Tang Rx For fatigue, reduced appetite, weakness			Four substance decoction - Si Wu Tang Rx For fatigue, weakness, pale face, dry hair, splitting nails
Herb	Amount		Herb	Amount
Ginseng - ren shen	3-9 g		Rehmanniae - shu di huang	9-21 g
Rz. Atractylodes - bai zhu	6-9 g		Rx. Paeonia - bai shao	6-15 g
Scelerotium Poria Cocos - fu ling	6-9 g		Rx. Angelicae Sinensis - dang gui	6-12 g
Honey fried Rx. Glycyrrhiziae - gan cao	3-6 g		Rx. Ligustici Chuanxiong - chuan xiong	3-6 g

Tonify the Yang			Tonify the Yin
Kidney Qi Pill from the Golden Cabinet Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan Rx For cold hands and feet, low sex drive, weakness, low back ache			Six Ingredient Pill with Rehamanniae - Liu Wei Di Huang Wan For hot palms and feet, dry throat, heat sensations, night sweats, low back and knees ache.
Herb	Amount		Herb	Amount
Rehmanniae - shu di huang	24 g		Rx. Rehmanniae - shu di huang	24 g
Fructus Corni - shan zhu yu	12 g		Fructos Corni - shan zhu yu	12 g
Rx. Dioscoreae - shan yao	12 g		Rx. Dioscoreae - shan yao	12 g
Rx. Lateralis Aconiti - fu zi	3 g		Scler. Poria Cocos - fu ling	9 g
Rm. Cinnamomi - gui zhi	3 g		Cx. Moutan - mu dan pi	9 g
Rz. Alismatis - ze xie	9 g		Rz. Alismatis - ze xie	9 g
Scler. Poria Cocos - fu ling	9 g
Cx. Moutan - mu dan pi	9 g

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Treating Side Effects of Traditional Cancer Therapies with Chinese Medicine
This paper will explore the treatment of Chemotherapy and Radiation side effects with Chinese herbal methods. The formulas will be drawn primarily from the book "Cancer Treatment with Fu Zheng Pei Ben Principle" and additional sources. The emphasis will be upon the use of Chinese herbal methods to support the body in restoring itself following extremely toxic treatments for cancer and ways that enhance the resistance of the body to the cancer itself.

In treating persons who suffer from cancer there are several differentiations that must be made. The most important is to ascertain what the person's underlying root condition was before the development of the specific cancer. This is critical because it allows the development of a comprehensive treatment strategy that recognizes the long term imbalances that contributed significantly to the development of the cancer. The specific effects of the cancer then need to be recognized in order to understand the pathological direction of the signs and symptoms. Finally, the specific side effects of the treatment methods for the cancer must be identified. Depending upon the type of treatment method, certain effects can be anticipated and recognized.

There are basically three types of cancer treatment in western scientific medicine: surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Surgery is used to remove specific growths of cancers. It is most successful when the cancer is localized, encapsulated and has not been identified in the blood stream. It produces serious trauma to the body and reduces the body's ability to resist further growth of the cancer. The positive effect is that it may remove the cancer and give the person time to address the underlying conditions that created the original growth of the cancer.

Chemotherapy is the introduction of chemical substances into the body that attack and kill the cancer. The substances are almost always very toxic and create the dilemma of injuring the body in order to save the body. They also produce a variety of side effects that can complicate or impede the original purpose of the treatment which is to kill the cancer. Some individuals may have severe allergic reactions that can be fatal or seriously debilitating. Occasionally the substances are administered improperly and the patient is killed by the treatment itself (this occurred three times in 1995 within the first six months). The positive effect is that it can kill the cancer under certain circumstances and if the person is reasonably healthy to start with, they may have a long and happy life without any recurrence of the cancer.

Radiation therapy uses radiation in several different forms to kill the cancer. It can produce long term side effects and cause local radiation burns that may weaken the body's resistance to the cancer or other diseases. Internal organs that are near the radiation site may also be injured and weakened. It is also used prophylactically to follow up after surgery or chemotherapy. The problem with all of these treatment methods is that they may further injure and weaken a system that is already in a state of crisis, leaving it more susceptible to the growth of cancer or other diseases. In the following sections the specific patterns of disharmony associated with the use of chemotherapy and radiation therapy and their treatment with Chinese Herbal methods will be discussed. In addition, the theory of Fu Zheng Pei Ben will be used as the central focus in developing specific treatment strategies.

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Fu Zheng Pei Ben refers to the T.C.M. theory of supporting the Righteous or Healthy, Correct Qi of the body and strengthening the Qi of the organs in order to fight disease. The theory is based on the principle that the body, when healthy, can regulate itself and expel pathogenic influences. This roughly corresponds to the Western scientific view of the Immune system and its ability to respond to pathogenic influences. In T.C.M. the activity of the harmonious circulation of Qi through the channels and collaterals fulfills the same function as that of the Immune system.

In addressing therapeutic circumstances such as cancer and other serious disorders that originate due to chronic imbalances or specific external causes the entire condition of the person must be examined from this perspective. The specific imbalances must be identified and the persons general state must be treated from the perspective of supporting the Righteous and strengthening the the ability to fight the disease. This is the use of Fu Zheng Pei Ben theory. The general condition of cancer patients is the result of the sum of several different factors: the specific toxic effects of the cancer itself, the degree of organ dysfunction due to the cancer itself, the side effects of the specific treatment method , the emotional state for the patient, the previous condition of the patient and the spiritual understanding and development of the patient.

Side effects of surgery include: Qi and Blood vacuity, Blood Stasis, Spleen, Kidney and Lung Qi vacuity. The gastrointestinal function is disturbed and there may be adhesions due to the surgery. In addition, extreme sweating may occur which exhausts the patient and causes dehydration. The result is that the person is weakened and may be progressively impaired by the remaining functional deficiency that is due to the surgical procedure.

Side effects of Chemotherapy include: Qi and Blood vacuity, Blood Stasis due to Blood vacuity, Spleen, Kidney and Lung Qi vacuity, Liver Blood Vacuity, Kidney Yin vacuity, Stomach Yin vacuity and Hot Toxins in the Bowels. The toxic nature of the chemicals attacks the fast growing cells of the body causing gastrointestinal irritation and dysfunction leading to loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting and loss of peristalsis or diarrhea. The cells of the hair follicles are impaired leading to hair loss. The bone marrow cells that produce blood are reduced which causes a drop in blood counts leading to anemia, low white blood cell counts,a pale complexion and weakened immune system function. This combined with the lack of appetite and weakened digestion lowers the person's energy level and creates a feeling of extreme fatigue and depression. In addition the chemotherapeutic agent may leak out of the vein or catheter and cause local toxic reactions which produce sores, rashes, and swelling. An accidental overdose can cause irreversible liver, kidney or brain damage. Peripheral neuropathy is also common with many agents as well as ringing in the ears and dizziness and impaired memory.

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Side effects of Radiation therapy include: Qi and Blood vacuity, Yin vacuity, Hot Toxin, and Hot Blood Escaping from the Vessels. Radiation is a very strong heat source that produces damage to the bone marrow, gastrointestinal tract and the fluids of the body. A common side effect is extreme dryness, thirst, loss of appetite, heat sensations and radiation burns that do not heal or heal very slowly. The general energy level of the person is reduced and the immune system is weakened making them very susceptible to external diseases.

The general conclusion is that the side effects of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy are characterized by a state of Qi and Blood vacuity, Blood Stasis, Yin vacuity and Hot toxin damage to various parts of the body. In the book "Cancer Treatment with Fu Zheng Pei Ben Therapy" a number of formulas and suggestions are given in order to minimize and lessen the impact of these toxic substances and traumatic conditions. In working with cancer patients who are undergoing western scientific medical treatments, the Chinese medical practitioner is as Ze'v Rosenberg states in a recent article "in the unfortunate position of being the 'mop up crew', cleaning up the side effects of excessive treatment". Currently in China there is extensive use of combined Western Scientific Medicine and T.C.M. treatments.

Chinese Herbal Formulas to treat and minimize the side effects of these "excessive treatments". The formulas appear to be predominately empirical formulas that are designed around classical formulas such as Si Wu Tang, Si JunZi Tang, Liu Jun Zi Tang, Bu Zhong Yi Chi Tang, Liu Wei Di Huang Wan, Ba Zhen Tang and others. They are then adapted to fit the usual side effects of particular treatments and then further modified to fit the individuals symptomology. Most of the formulas are decoctions and pills but pastes, boluses, powders, gruels and gargles are also used. The formulas will be listed from the most general to more specific organ based formulas. They are all designed for the treatment of side effects or the prevention or minimization of side effects. They are not for the treatment of the cancer per se.

Formulas for use Pre-Surgery: When surgery appears to be the treatment of choice it is advisable to utilize a tonification strategy before the surgery if it is not a critical emergency situation. The Fu Zheng Pei Ben principle is to strengthen the Spleen, nourish the Yin and strengthen the Kidneys. Functionally surgery and the anesthetic agent combine to slow down peristalsis and secretions within the gastrointestinal tract. This combined with blood loss, local trauma from the surgery itself and the accompanying post-surgery pain severely weakens the entire body, making it extremely vulnerable to infection or the spread of any cancer left in the system. The use of tonifying and nourishing formulas helps to strengthen the body before surgery to try and help mitigate the impact and increase the person's ability to recover full function.

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Formulas for Chemotherapy - Side Effects
The most common side effects of chemotherapy include: dizziness, fatigue, body aches, joint pain, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, fever, insomnia, inhibition of bone marrow, low blood counts, peripheral neuropathy, dermatitis, nail and skin pigmentation changes, kidney and liver damage, hair loss, poor memory, depression, lowered immune system function due to blood levels and general debility. The approach used to counteract these symptoms is the Fu Zheng Pei Ben principle.

While symptoms may vary from individual to individual, the general response is to become Qi and Blood Deficient/Vacuous with Spleen Qi, Spleen Yang Deficiency/Vacuity, Stomach Yin Deficiency/Vacuity with Heat or Dryness, Kidney Yin or Yang Deficiency/Vacuity and Liver Yin or Blood Deficiency/Vacuity. In addition there may be localized conditions of Toxic Heat from the application of the chemotherapy, and Qi Stagnation and Blood Stasis due to Deficiency /Vacuity of Qi and Blood. The following formulas are used to help relieve these conditions. They should all be modified according to the specific individuals signs and symptoms.

Representative Formula - Yi Qi Bu Xue Jian Pi Decoction.

Radiation Therapy Side Effects
Radiation Therapy utilizes short exposures of varying intensity of radioactive emmissions. The nature of Radiation is hot and toxic and the effects produced are initially hot and toxic. The skin often is burned, local tissue is destroyed and fluids are depleted. The person then begins to suffer Yin Deficiency/Vacuity signs and symptoms with dry mouth and throat , low grade fever, night sweats, heat sensations in the palms and feet, red tongue, thin, rapid pulse, dry skin, irritability, insomnia, dry stools and constipation, stomach irritability and loss of appetite.

The most common pattern, seen in 90% of cases according to "Cancer Treatment With Fu Zheng Pei Ben Principle", is Yin deficiency / Vacuity of the Liver and Kidney with Qi and Yin Deficiency / Vacuity is seen less frequently.

Fu Zheng ShengJin Tang

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Chronic Ulcers
The formation of chronic skin ulcers is due to the effects of the radiation on the local area. These two treatments are the combination of Westen Scientific Medical medicines with Traditional Chinese herbs.

Fu Fang Zhen Zhu Powder
Pearl Zhen Zhu- 6g Tetracycline .75g Dexamethasone 2mg Combined and applied locally	Da Cheng Paste Oleum Vitelli Crinis Carbonaistatus-Xue Yu Tan Combined and mixed to form a paste. Applied locally	Rectal Lesions Due to irradiation. Diarrhea, hot anus, tenesmus, with blood and mucous in the stool, dry mouth, restlessness. Qing Re Hua Yu tang

The use of combined western Scientific medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine is being used extensively in China to treat cancer and other serious health problems. While this is a relatively inevitable process it should be approached with a clear understanding of the problems inherent in combining two approaches that have very different paradigms of operation.

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Bibliography: Cancer Treatment with Fu Zheng Pei Ben Principle Pan Ming Li M.D.,1992 Fujian Science and Technology Press The Chinese Herbalists Handbook Dagmar Ebling,1994 Inword Press Formulas and Strategies Dan Bensky, Randall Barolet, 1990 Eastland Press