🌿 Folk Prescriptions

1. Concept of Integrated TCM Treatment: Integrated TCM therapy is an essential component of comprehensive cancer treatment. TCM and integrative TCM approaches have long played unique roles in anti-tumor therapy, yet their precise role and value were not widely accepted by Western medicine practitioners in China. With modernization of TCM, various TCM therapeutic methods have become increasingly diverse. To correctly apply different TCM therapies and integrate them with modern medicine, experts have recently emphasized that integrated TCM treatment for cancer is not only a vital part of comprehensive cancer care but also requires rational integration of multiple TCM approaches. Its true meaning is: throughout the entire cancer treatment process, guided by TCM theory, individualized treatment based on syndrome differentiation, combined with modern medical techniques, systematically and reasonably applying all available treatment methods to maximize the holistic advantages of TCM, striving for full-course TCM intervention, restoring dynamic balance in the body, enhancing sensitivity to radiotherapy and chemotherapy, minimizing toxic side effects, reducing tumor metastasis and recurrence, achieving complete cure for patients eligible for radical treatment, and improving quality of life and prolonging survival time for advanced cancer patients.
2. Clinical Practice Principles: Based on thorough assessment of pathogenic vs. healthy forces, localized vs. disseminated disease, consider indications for various treatments and seize optimal timing for each method to formulate a comprehensive integrative treatment plan.
3. Integrated TCM Treatment Methods: 1. Oral herbal preparations are suitable for most patients at all stages of liver cancer (not applicable if there is complete gastrointestinal obstruction or bulbar paralysis; can switch to enema). 2. External herbal preparations are suitable for treating ascites and pleural effusion in liver cancer, as well as pain relief. 3. Rectal suppositories are used for pain relief, anti-inflammation, and local tumor treatment. 4. Intravenous herbal preparations are suitable for all stages of liver cancer, categorized into two types: tonifying (supporting) and eliminating (removing) agents. 5. Interventional TCM therapy using intravenous infusion is suitable for mid-to-late stage liver cancer patients undergoing local interventional treatment. 6. Other auxiliary TCM therapies (acupuncture, dietary therapy, music therapy, medicinal baths, psychological support) are suitable for patients at all stages of liver cancer.<TCM>