🌿 Folk Prescriptions

At a national annual meeting of the China Cancer Rehabilitation Organization Association, a former naval officer recounted his 20-year battle with advanced lung cancer, earning applause from the audience. When a major hospital opened his chest, revealing widespread metastasis of cancer cells to mediastinal lymph nodes, extensive adhesions, and clusters of flesh-colored grape-like nodules, surgeons had no choice but to close the chest again. Subsequently, he underwent “TCM Comprehensive Immune Therapy for Cancer,” surviving well for over 20 years. The miracle was made possible by Zhang Renji and his daughter Zhang Daning, directors of Beijing Kunhe Baicao Tumor Medical Research Institute.
Comprehensive TCM Immune Therapy for Cancer
When people hear “Baicao,” they are familiar with it. Originally established in 1987 as the “Beijing Baicao Cancer Treatment Research Center,” it was founded by Zhang Daning’s father, renowned TCM oncologist Zhang Renji, a direct disciple of the famous physician Shi Jinmo. Zhang Renji, originally named Zhang Xiuyan, was born in March 1915 in Leting County, Hebei Province. From childhood, he was intelligent and studious, extensively reading his family’s vast collection of books, especially medical texts. At age 16, he entered Hebei Provincial No. 3 Normal School. In 1937, he left teaching to pursue medicine, enrolling in the Medical Department of Peiping University. In 1941, he switched to traditional Chinese medicine, entering the North China College of Traditional Chinese Medicine and becoming a direct disciple of Shi Jinmo, one of China’s four great physicians and head of the North China College of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Later, he studied Western medicine in Japan for two years. His deep foundation in both TCM and Western medicine laid the groundwork for his lifelong commitment to integrating both approaches in cancer treatment.
In long-term clinical practice, Zhang Renji identified 54 herbs with anti-cancer properties. By appropriately combining them, he believed extraordinary effects could be achieved. He pioneered a unique “Comprehensive TCM Immune Therapy for Cancer,” distinct from Western surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and traditional TCM’s “using poison to counteract poison” approach. This therapy tailors different methods at various stages of cancer to shrink tumors, control metastasis, improve quality of life, and prolong survival. Initially, Western medicine confirms tumor type and location, followed by TCM-based treatment to strengthen vital energy and eliminate pathogenic factors, then modern diagnostic tools assess treatment efficacy.
Zhang Renji believed that cancer, from a TCM perspective, arises from impaired circulation of qi and blood, leading to internal heat when stagnation occurs. The “Comprehensive TCM Immune Therapy” emphasizes clearing heat and toxins, promoting circulation of qi and blood, restoring physiological balance, enhancing the body’s ability to suppress cancer cell proliferation, and controlling or curing tumors in specific areas. Medications are mostly cool/cold in nature, supplemented with qi-regulating and blood-activating herbs, avoiding heavy tonics or toxic substances that may increase internal heat and damage immunity. Since immune function correlates closely with prognosis, protecting and enhancing patient immunity is crucial—this distinguishes the therapy from Western surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and traditional TCM’s “using poison to counteract poison” methods, and is key to its notable efficacy.
Inheritance and Innovation, Patient-Centered Approach
Now 58, Zhang Daning graduated from Beijing United University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Her formal education provided solid theoretical grounding, and she gained rich clinical experience through close mentorship from her father. After her father passed away at age 83 in 1998, she inherited and expanded his legacy, maintaining a TCM-Western medicine integrated approach. She has accumulated extensive experience in treating various cancers—including lung, liver, esophageal, colon, breast, bladder, and malignant lymphoma—particularly excelling in relieving cancer pain, reducing fever, improving blood parameters, and preventing radiation-induced pneumonia and pulmonary fibrosis.
Building on her father’s “Comprehensive TCM Immune Therapy for Cancer,” Zhang Daning proposed the “TCM Immune Rehabilitation Therapy for Cancer,” characterized by five features: First, “living with the tumor, preserving life”—surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and interventional therapies are effective tools, but due to varying pathology, lesion extent, and condition, some patients lack surgical or chemoradiotherapy indications. Forcing treatment may lead to early death. Therefore, individualized treatment is essential. Second, “patient-centered, holistic treatment”—treatment principles center on the individual patient, conducting comprehensive, scientific analysis to determine a whole-body treatment plan. Cancer is a local manifestation of systemic disease, so patients’ overall status must be fully considered during treatment. Third, “based on signs, follow natural course”—patients should not be forced to endure pain; if pain exists, it should be treated without fear of addiction. If nutrition is adequate, excessive supplementation is unnecessary. If no surgical indication exists, avoid surgery, as it may activate dormant cancer cells. If unsuitable for chemo/radiotherapy, prioritize herbal medicine. Fourth, leverage the advantages of traditional TCM preparations—pills, powders, ointments, pills—combining oral and external use, systemic and local treatments. Fifth, innovative and flexible use of herbs: employ unexpected strategies, seek novelty, break conventions, adapt to seasonal changes, and tailor treatment to disease stage.
Research Serving Clinical Practice
Adhering to the principle of “research serving clinical practice,” Zhang Daning screened, refined, and enhanced her father’s 50-year proven anti-cancer formulas, developing three main categories and over ten anti-cancer herbal formulations: First, “anti-cancer series,” primarily targeting various cancers; second, “tonifying series,” emphasizing strengthening vital energy and nourishing qi and blood; third, “symptom-specific series,” addressing common symptom clusters in different cancers. Pharmacological tests by Beijing Cancer Prevention and Control Institute confirmed these formulas enhance macrophage phagocytic activity, boost T-lymphocyte activity, reactivate suppressed immune systems, and improve immunity. Clinical observations show significant reduction in tumor size, reduced fatigue, improved autonomic nervous system function (increased appetite, better sleep), and enhanced immunity. Particularly suitable for patients with weakened constitution, those who have lost surgical opportunity, or those unresponsive to chemotherapy/radiotherapy. Since 1987, they have treated over 150,000 cancer patients worldwide, mostly in advanced stages.
Zhang Renji and Zhang Daning have been committed to innovating TCM cancer theories. Together, they authored the medical monograph *New Pathways in TCM Cancer Treatment*, published in August 1992 by Science and Technology Documentation Press. Zhang Daning has also published 12 academic papers in TCM journals.
“The Divine Power of Baicao Benefits Humanity”
In late autumn 2004, a traditional-style gatehouse with strong ethnic character stood on the east side of Quanxin Business Building at Wanjing Road, Xijiao, Beijing. The black plaque with gold-leaf characters “Baicao Shen Gong” exuded the captivating charm of traditional Chinese medicine. This is the 800+ square meter “Baicao Hall TCM Outpatient Clinic,” founded by Zhang Daning, officially opened to cancer patients in mid-April this year.
“The road ahead is long and arduous—I shall tirelessly seek.” Zhang Daning’s journey will be lengthy. The theory and practice of “TCM Immune Rehabilitation for Cancer” still await her exploration. Her path may not be straight or smooth, but filled with obstacles and challenges. Yet, she will courageously walk forward along the path chosen by her father, Zhang Renji.