🌿 Folk Prescriptions

Method One: Applying TCM preventive philosophy to cancer complications—“prevent disease before it occurs” and “prevent progression once disease has arisen”—is a key aspect of TCM preventive theory. The *Nanjing* (Difficult Classics), Chapter 77 states: "Treating the unmanifested disease means recognizing that liver disease will likely spread to the spleen. Thus, one should first strengthen the spleen’s qi to prevent it from receiving the liver’s pathogenic influence. This is called treating the unmanifested disease." This principle of "securing the uninvaded area first" has practical clinical value in preventing tumor bleeding. For instance, leukemia patients undergoing radiotherapy and chemotherapy often suffer bone marrow suppression and platelet decline, and steroid use interferes with coagulation mechanisms, making bleeding easy. Giving Western hemostatic drugs before bleeding occurs is illogical. However, administering TCM herbs that nourish blood, strengthen the spleen, tonify the kidneys, and cool blood can have practical significance in preventing bleeding.
Method Two: Using the Four Diagnostic Methods of TCM to detect early signs of cancer complications. Modern medicine provides microscopic quantitative data for diagnosing cancer complications but cannot cover all severe complications or identify their early warning signs. TCM’s principle of "what exists internally will manifest externally" suggests that the Four Diagnostic Methods may reveal early symptoms of complications, serving as an important supplement to Western diagnostic methods. For example, a gastric cancer patient with a history of gastric bleeding showed normal results in coagulation time, prothrombin index, and occult blood tests. Yet gradually, he developed flushed complexion, feverish excitement, taut and forceful pulse, and red spots on the tip of the tongue—indicating early signs of "blood heat causing uncontrolled bleeding." Soon afterward, he suddenly vomited 1000ml of blood.
Method Three: Integrated TCM-Western medicine treatment for cancer complications. Combining both approaches often enhances efficacy. For example, when high fever persists despite antibiotics, administering Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang or Qing Kai Ling can assist in reducing fever. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like Naproxen and Indomethacin used for cancer-related fever may cause profuse sweating, leading to collapse. Taking herbs like Schisandra fruit and floating wheat to strengthen qi and consolidate the exterior can stop sweating and prevent collapse. Anthracycline chemotherapeutics like Doxorubicin often cause chest discomfort and abnormal ECGs. Oral Sheng Mai Yin (Life-Pulse Decoction) frequently corrects these issues. The bidirectional regulatory action of TCM is particularly useful in emergencies. For example, in managing disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), using hemostatics like Tranexamic acid to stop bleeding may slightly overdose and promote microthrombus formation, reducing tissue perfusion. Conversely, using anticoagulants like heparin to dissolve clots increases bleeding risk in thrombocytopenic patients. Balancing hemostasis and clot dissolution within a short period creates a therapeutic dilemma. At such times, TCM integration can resolve the conflict. First, TCM hemostatics like lotus node and Fairy Grass do not increase blood viscosity, allowing safe combination with heparin to dissolve clots without bleeding concerns. Second, blood-nourishing herbs like Angelica and Red Peony promote circulation without causing bleeding, complementing Western hemostatics to prevent microthrombi. Third, herbs like Notoginseng, Charcoal of Human Hair, and Rush Pith exhibit dual actions—hemostasis and activation of blood—perfectly matching DIC treatment needs of both stopping bleeding and dissolving clots. Combined with Western medicine, this highlights the advantages of integrated TCM-Western medicine.