🌿 Folk Prescriptions

Advanced cancer patients often present with qi deficiency and blood stasis. Research conducted by the Beijing Cancer Prevention and Treatment Institute investigated the efficacy of qi-tonifying and blood-activating therapy combined with chemotherapy in advanced malignant tumors, including survival time with tumor and quality of life. The study concluded that for patients without curative potential, combining Chinese medicine treatment—especially syndrome differentiation-based treatment—with chemotherapy is crucial.
Researchers selected 61 patients with advanced lung, breast, or colorectal cancer diagnosed histologically or cytologically. Using a random number table designed by statistical software, they were randomly divided into a treatment group (Chinese medicine plus chemotherapy) and a control group (chemotherapy alone). The treatment group consisted of 34 patients (15 lung cancer patients, 6 in stage IIIb, 9 in stage IV; 10 colorectal cancer patients, 2 in stage III, 8 in stage IV; 9 breast cancer patients, all stage IV; 13 with single-site metastasis, 15 with multiple-site metastases). The control group included 27 patients (13 lung cancer patients, 5 in stage IIIb, 8 in stage IV; 7 colorectal cancer patients, 2 in stage III, 5 in stage IV; 7 breast cancer patients, all stage IV; 9 with single-site metastasis, 11 with multiple-site metastases). Among the entire cohort, 12 were newly diagnosed, and 49 were re-treated. There was no significant difference in clinical data between the two groups (P > 0.05), making them comparable.
Both groups received conventional chemotherapy regimens. Lung cancer used vinorelbine plus cisplatin; colorectal cancer used cisplatin plus 5-fluorouracil plus calcium folinate; breast cancer used paclitaxel plus epirubicin. Starting from the first chemotherapy cycle, the treatment group orally took qi-tonifying and blood-activating formula (Yiqi Xiaoxia Chongji, composed of Astragalus 50 g, Atractylodes 10 g, Angelica 10 g, Ligusticum 10 g, Earthworm 10 g, Curcuma 20 g, Purple Grass 20 g).
According to the World Health Organization’s clinical efficacy criteria for solid tumors [Complete Response (CR), Partial Response (PR), Stable Disease (SD), Progressive Disease (PD)], imaging examinations and efficacy evaluations were conducted before treatment and after two treatment cycles. Results showed: treatment group PR in 12 cases (36.4%), SD in 17 cases (51.5%), PD in 4 cases (12.1%); control group PR in 2 cases (7.4%), SD in 18 cases (66.7%), PD in 7 cases (25.9%). The difference in efficacy between groups was statistically significant (P < 0.05). One case in the treatment group achieved CR with pleural effusion.
Survival time with tumor: treatment group (20.73 ± 20.02) months, control group (11.93 + 5.08) months. The difference in 24-month survival rate between groups was statistically significant (P < 0.05).
Weight changes: treatment group—6 patients (17.6%) gained weight (>2 kg sustained for over 4 weeks), 23 patients (67.6%) maintained stable weight (within 2 kg), 5 patients (14.7%) lost weight (>2 kg sustained for over 4 weeks); control group—no patient gained weight, 20 patients (74.1%) stable, 7 patients (25.9%) lost weight. No significant difference between groups.
Physical condition: treatment group—6 patients improved (ECOG grade decreased), 23 stable, 5 weakened (ECOG grade increased); control group—20 stable, 7 worsened. The treatment group showed significant improvement in physical condition post-treatment compared to the control group (P < 0.01).
Laboratory tests revealed that due to routine use of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and hepatoprotective drugs, white blood cell and platelet counts were basically normal post-treatment. Hemoglobin levels below normal before and after treatment: treatment group 7 cases (20.6%) and 17 cases (50.0%), control group 4 cases (14.8%) and 13 cases (48.1%). No significant difference between groups. Post-treatment, abnormal alanine transaminase in treatment group: 1 case (2.9%), control group: 8 cases (29.6%), difference statistically significant (P < 0.05); aspartate transaminase abnormal: treatment group 4 cases (11.8%), control group 4 cases (14.8%); blood urea nitrogen abnormal: treatment group 1 case (2.9%), control group 4 cases (14.8%). Differences were not statistically significant. Comparison of TCM qi deficiency symptoms showed that after treatment, the treatment group exhibited significant reduction in symptoms such as spontaneous sweating, shortness of breath, fatigue, and lack of speech, whereas the control group showed no change or worsening. TCM holds that “when righteous qi resides internally, evil cannot invade,” and “where evil gathers, qi must be deficient.” Tumor development follows the same principle. Deficient righteous qi allows external pathogens to lodge, obstructing meridians and causing blood stasis and swelling. Researchers targeted the common qi deficiency and blood stasis pattern in advanced cancer patients, modifying the classic formula Bu Yang Huan Wu Tang to create the Yiqi Xiaoxia Fang. The original dosage of Astragalus was increased to 50 g as the principal herb. White atractylodes was added to enhance Astragalus’s ability to tonify qi and strengthen the spleen. Astragalus tonifies qi, Curcuma resolves stasis; together, they nourish without stagnation, enabling stronger qi to drive away masses. Purple grass replaced red peony root—same properties, with additional anti-tumor effects, enhancing cooling blood, detoxification, mass resolution, and pain relief. Angelica, Ligusticum, and earthworm synergistically enhance blood activation and stasis removal. Purple grass, being cold in nature, moderates the warmth of Astragalus and Atractylodes, balancing the formula’s nature and allowing both tonification and attack. Clinical observations indicate that qi-tonifying and blood-activating therapy not only improves efficacy and reduces chemotherapy side effects but also alleviates qi deficiency symptoms, enhances physical condition, improves quality of life, and prolongs survival time with tumor.