The 7 Principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Treating Tumors? Supporting Disease Treatment!
In traditional Chinese medicine, the root cause of tumor formation is considered to be insufficient vital energy (Upright). Unhealthy lifestyle, emotional fluctuations, irregular meals, and prolonged nights can damage vital energy, reduce immunity, and contribute to the occurrence and development of tumors. While Western medicine primarily treats tumors, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is used as a complementary approach to extend the patient’s survival period and alleviate discomfort.
What principles does TCM follow in treating tumors?
Principle 1: Phlegm Dispelling and Dampness Resolving Many tumors are associated with the accumulation of phlegm and dampness. The treatment principle involves dispelling phlegm and resolving dampness, often combined with tonifying the spleen, promoting water metabolism, clearing heat, regulating qi, and dispersing masses. Herbs such as Agastache rugosa, Poria cocos, Pinellia ternata, and Atractylodes macrocephala are known for their phlegm-dispelling and dampness-resolving effects.
Principle 2: Softening Solid Masses As tumors typically manifest as solid masses, the foundational treatment is to soften and disperse these masses. This principle is especially emphasized when supporting the body’s vitality. Various herbs, including Houttuynia cordata, Trichosanthes kirilowii, and Ostrea gigas, can be chosen for their ability to soften solid masses.
Principle 3: Regulating Qi and Activating Blood Circulation Stagnation of qi and blood stasis are major factors in tumor development. The principle of treatment is to regulate qi and activate blood circulation. Herbs like Prunus persica, Amomum villosum, Citrus aurantium, and Bupleurum chinense are known for their qi-regulating and blood-activating effects.
Principle 4: Tonifying the Body’s Vitality Most tumor patients have a deficiency at the foundation, and thus, the focus is on tonifying the body’s vitality. This includes nourishing the kidney, enriching essence, strengthening the spleen and stomach, and supplementing qi and blood. Herbs like Panax ginseng, Polygonatum sibiricum, Rehmannia glutinosa, Astragalus membranaceus, and Morinda officinalis are chosen to tonify the body’s vitality.
Principle 5: Using Toxins to Counteract Toxins When organ functions are imbalanced, toxins can accumulate, contributing to tumor formation. The treatment approach is to use toxins to counteract toxins, provided that the body’s vital energy is not depleted. Herbs with toxic properties, such as Scolopendra subspinipes, Hirudo nipponica, and Mylabris phalerata, may be selected.
Principle 6: Clearing Heat and Detoxifying In the middle to late stages of tumor development, symptoms such as an enlarging mass, red tongue, yellow coating, constipation, fever, and thirst may appear. This falls into the category of heat-toxin syndrome, and the treatment approach is to clear heat and detoxify. Herbs like Forsythia suspensa, Lonicera japonica, and Scutellaria baicalensis are known for their heat-clearing and detoxifying effects.
Principle 7: Nourishing Yin and Clearing Heat Heat-toxins can damage yin fluids, and yin deficiency with internal heat can promote tumor development. Therefore, the focus is on nourishing yin and clearing heat to alleviate the side effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Herbs such as Anemarrhena asphodeloides, Solomon’s seal, Rehmannia glutinosa, Ophiopogon japonicus, and Scrophularia ningpoensis are commonly used.
Note: Tumor patients, after undergoing surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, may experience various complications. Proper use of traditional Chinese medicine can help with recovery, alleviate discomfort, and improve quality of life. However, it is crucial to use TCM under the guidance of a qualified TCM practitioner, taking into account individualized diagnoses.
