May 13, 2014: Ye Tianshi’s Sweet, Warm, and Moisture-Retaining Properties

The normal range for hemoglobin is 130–160 g/L. Compensatory increases may occur in the following situations: ① Long-term residence in high-altitude areas. ② Previous chronic respiratory diseases, such as emphysema, cor pulmonale, and chronic rhinitis. These situations constitute secondary hemoglobin elevation. There is also primary hemoglobin elevation, where increases in hemoglobin are often accompanied by increases in white blood cells and platelets, with corresponding enlargement of the liver and spleen. Bone marrow shows abnormally active erythroid proliferation, leading to an imbalance in the red-to-white cell ratio, clinically diagnosed as polycythemia vera (often abbreviated as "true polycythemia"). This disease is essentially a type of erythrocytic disorder, with unsatisfactory treatment outcomes, comparable to leukemia. Fortunately, true polycythemia is extremely rare, occurring in less than one in 100,000 cases.

Secondary hemoglobin elevation, as mentioned above, is a treatable condition. In recent years, I have treated many cases with satisfactory results, using formulas such as Jinche Danqi Fang, Wumu Huanggua Fang, Zilong Xia Ma Fang, Lanzhou Fang with Sanleng Eshu, and Lanzhou Er Fang. These five formulas are all effective for chronic myeloid leukemia and chronic lymphocytic leukemia, with functions of tonifying the body, strengthening the root, promoting blood circulation, and removing blood stasis. Excessive blood tends to stagnate; simply activating or breaking it up will not solve the problem—it must be dispersed. Tonifying the body and strengthening the root provide the power needed for activation and breakdown, and this power is precisely the body's righteous qi. Therefore, the main principle of tonifying the body and strengthening the root is to resolve the issue. The primary formula for tonifying the body and strengthening the root should not deviate from the Lanzhou formula, while activating blood circulation should not neglect softening hard masses; Sanleng, Eshu, Sanqi, and leech are the brave generals in this regard.

May 13, 2014: Ye Tianshi’s Sweet, Warm, and Moisture-Retaining Properties

Ye stated that sweet and warm herbs tonify deficiency, salty herbs astringe, and moist herbs relieve dryness. When these three types of herbs are combined, they can resolve most deficiency syndromes. This is because deficiency causes downward movement, preventing fluids from rising, resulting in dryness throughout the body.

Sweet herbs include Codonopsis pilosula, Atractylodes macrocephala, Astragalus membranaceus, and Angelica sinensis. Salty herbs include Cistanche deserticola, Epimedium, and Dodder seed. Moist herbs include Rehmannia glutinosa, Cornus officinalis, donkey-hide gelatin, White peony, Goji berries, and deer antler glue.

The combination of these three types of herbs can treat many deficiency-related conditions, such as miscarriage, vaginal bleeding, uterine underdevelopment, and emphysema.

Dodder seed, Cistanche deserticola, and Epimedium grow in saline-alkali, cold, and arid regions, with a salty taste that enters the kidneys, making them suitable for treating kidney deficiency. Dizziness, blurred vision, tinnitus, lower back pain, and leg fatigue are all basic symptoms of kidney deficiency. These three herbs primarily address kidney yang deficiency, making them suitable for those with impotence, nocturnal emission, and infertility due to kidney yang deficiency.

May 8, 2014: Clinical Applications of Realgar

Realgar, also known as Ming realgar, Stone realgar, or Golden stone, contains arsenic disulfide and is toxic. Its effects include detoxification, insecticidal action, drying dampness, and eliminating phlegm. It is used for treating carbuncles, furuncles, abdominal pain caused by parasites, with a dosage of 0.05–0.15g. It should not be taken for long periods and is not suitable for use in decoctions. Traditionally, this medicine was used to treat sores, snake bites, and filariasis. Recently, research on using arsenic compounds to treat leukemia has made certain progress, so people have begun to use this medicine clinically. "Qingkou No. 3" capsules, composed of cardamom, indigo, and realgar, are used to treat acute and chronic leukemia. Each capsule contains 250mg of medicinal ingredients, with cardamom accounting for half—125mg—and the remaining 125mg consisting of 100mg of indigo and 25mg of realgar.

May 8, 2014: A Formula for Pterygium

Angelica sinensis 10g, White peony 15g, Bupleurum 10g, Turmeric 6g, Chrysanthemum 10g, Buddleja 10g, Rehmannia glutinosa 12g, Horsetail 10g, Plantago 10g, Amomum 6g. Licorice 6g. One dose daily, decocted in water and taken orally.

Mnemonic: Gold flower, horsetail, plantago, amomum—Angelica, White peony, and Bupleurum.

Pterygium, also known as pterygium growth, is actually caused by the proliferation and expansion of blood vessels during the repair process after chronic damage to the cornea and conjunctiva. This formula uses Buddleja to activate blood circulation and improve eyesight, and Chrysanthemum to clear heat and improve vision as the main drugs; Plantago helps drain water, Horsetail removes pterygium, Turmeric activates blood circulation as auxiliary drugs; Angelica, White peony, and Bupleurum embody the spirit of Xiaoyao San, focusing on soothing the liver; Amomum and the spleen and stomach help drain water.

May 11, 2014: Complete Remission Record for Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia

Patient Ha, Uygur ethnicity, 49 years old. Diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukemia, having undergone three cycles of chemotherapy without remission. I proposed a combination of chemotherapy and traditional Chinese medicine, reducing the proportion of blast cells from 28.5% to 3%, achieving complete remission. The chemotherapy regimen was DA (daunorubicin + cytarabine). The traditional Chinese medicine formulas included Shengxue Granules, Xiaofeng No. 2, Qingkou No. 2, Shengbao Dan, as well as the following decoctions.

Prescription: Rehmannia glutinosa 12g, Cornus officinalis 30g, Ginseng beard 15g, Prince ginseng 15g, Northern ginseng 15g, Lu ginseng 15g, Ophiopogon japonicus 10g, Schisandra 6g, Cinnamon twig 10g, White peony 10g, Licorice 6g, Ginger 4 slices, Jujube 4 pieces, Floating wheat 30g, Astragalus 30g, Salvia miltiorrhiza 30g, Atractylodes 10g, Windproof 12g, Yam 10g, Moutan cortex 6g, Poria 12g, Alisma 10g, One strychnos nux-vomica (fried), Ten earth beetles 10g, Ten leeches (taken in divided doses).

This formula is called the Great Lanzhou Formula, combining the Lanzhou formula with six additional herbs, plus Salvia miltiorrhiza, Astragalus, Atractylodes, and Windproof.

May 14, 2014: Paulownia and Lithospermum

Paulownia is a large, perennial tree in the Sterculiaceae family. Lithospermum, also known as Stone witness, is the whole plant of the Lamiaceae family, specifically the herb of the Chinese mouse-tail. Both herbs have the effects of clearing heat and detoxifying, softening hard masses and dispersing knots, dispelling wind and eliminating dampness. Modern pharmacological research shows that both have anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and immunosuppressive effects, making them suitable for treating various tumors. Among the two, the former has been more extensively studied for tumor treatment, and now paclitaxel has been extracted from Paulownia for intravenous infusion as one of the chemotherapy drugs. The latter, however, still mainly focuses on clearing heat and detoxifying, softening hard masses and dispersing knots, and is widely used in clinical practice. The dosage for both in decoctions is 10–15g. The bark of Paulownia roots has traditionally been effective in treating psoriasis, and can be made into ointments, flow creams, and oil creams for external use.

May 25, 2014: Treatment Record for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

In the spring of the year of Jia Wu, I was invited to the Provincial People’s Hospital for consultation. Patient Yang, male, 85 years old, suffering from leukemia (acute lymphoblastic leukemia), had received ineffective treatment in Shanghai, Nanjing, and other places. He was diagnosed with acute B-cell lymphoblastic leukemia, with multiple gene targets involved in translocation, making him a case requiring highly targeted therapy. I used Lanzhou Formula No. 1 combined with Ma Tu Shui (strychnos nux-vomica, earth beetles, leeches), along with the Western medicine VP chemotherapy regimen, treating him for over two months. His condition improved, with the proportion of leukemia cells in peripheral blood dropping from 68% to 0%. At this point, he stopped taking traditional Chinese medicine due to its unpleasant taste. Three weeks later, his condition worsened, with leukemia cells rising again to 48%. The provincial hospital invited me for another consultation, and I used Lanzhou Formula No. 2 combined with double Ma Tu Shui, adding 0.5g of realgar. Each dose was taken every two days, with the 0.5g of realgar divided into four doses. Two weeks later, the proportion of leukemia cells dropped to 12%.

Lanzhou Formula No. 1: Rehmannia glutinosa 12g, Cornus officinalis 30g, Ginseng beard 15g, Prince ginseng 15g, Lu ginseng 15g, Northern ginseng 15g, Cinnamon twig 10g, White peony 30g, Licorice 16g, Floating wheat 30g, Jujube 6 pieces, Ginger 6g, One strychnos nux-vomica (fried), Ten earth beetles 15g, Ten leeches (taken in divided doses). One dose daily, decocted in water and taken orally.

Lanzhou Formula No. 2: Rehmannia glutinosa 12g, Cornus officinalis 30g, Yam 10g, Moutan cortex 6g, Poria 12g, Alisma 10g, Ginseng beard 15g, Prince ginseng 15g, Northern ginseng 15g, Lu ginseng 15g, Roasted licorice 6g, Floating wheat 30g, Cinnamon twig 10g, White peony 10g, Ginger 6g, Jujube 4 pieces, Astragalus 30g, Salvia miltiorrhiza 30g, Atractylodes 10g, Windproof 12g, One strychnos nux-vomica (fried), Ten earth beetles 6g, Ten leeches 10g, Ten horsewhips 10g. One dose every two days, decocted in water and taken orally.

May 27, 2014: White Vitex and Humulus

White Vitex is a plant in the Apocynaceae family, with the rhizome used medicinally. Humulus is a plant in the Moraceae family, with the whole plant used medicinally. Both herbs share the effects of clearing heat and detoxifying, promoting diuresis and reducing swelling, nourishing yin and relieving vexation. Therefore, they can treat nephritis, especially for those with chronic nephritis who are deficient in yin.

June 9, 2014: Rethinking the Lanzhou Formula

The aforementioned Lanzhou Formula is divided into No. 1 and No. 2. The composition of the latter builds upon the former by adding six herbs, Yu Ping Feng, Astragalus, Salvia miltiorrhiza, and Sophora flavescens, thereby enhancing its ability to tonify the body and strengthen the root. The overall concept of these two formulas is the same: mainly mobilizing the body's hematopoietic function, immune function, and metabolic function. The term "mobilization" also implies regulation, namely the so-called bidirectional regulatory effect. I believe that most traditional Chinese medicines with bidirectional regulatory effects also have the functions of tonifying the body and strengthening the root, as well as soothing the liver and relieving depression. It is possible that the target of such preparations lies in pluripotent stem cells. The Lanzhou Formula has been used clinically for over 50 years, treating blood diseases by raising low cell counts and lowering high cell counts; in the clinical application for malignant tumors, it can shrink local masses and improve systemic anemia. Based on the Lanzhou Formula, I make adjustments and modifications, and in treating blood diseases and malignant tumors, I often see significant therapeutic effects, especially during the stable phase after radiotherapy and chemotherapy, when the Lanzhou Formula can reduce the side effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy, greatly delaying disease recurrence.

June 9, 2014: Paulownia Fruit and Taxus

Both herbs have anti-tumor properties. Paulownia is a perennial tree in the Sterculiaceae family, with the fruit being Paulownia fruit. Taxus is a perennial tree in the Fabaceae family. Paclitaxel and taxol are both well-known anti-malignant tumor drugs. Recently, I have used this formula combined with the Lanzhou Formula to treat leukemia, achieving preliminary efficacy, with relatively mild drug side effects. The dosage of Paulownia fruit is 10g, and that of Taxus is 15g.

June 11, 2014: A Brief Discussion on Herbal Medicines for Cancer Treatment

Traditional Chinese medicine treats cancer by strengthening the body's righteous qi, a concept widely known and popular. Ancient texts say, "Accumulation arises from deficiency of righteous qi; only when righteous qi is deficient does accumulation occur." Therefore, the fundamental principle of TCM in treating cancer is to tonify the body and strengthen the root. After 20 years of clinical experience in treating cancer, I propose the Lanzhou Formula as the first choice for cancer treatment. This formula combines six herbs, four ginsengs, Shengmai, Ganmai Dazao, and Gui Zhi Tang, providing dual nourishment for the spleen and kidneys while regulating Yingwei and lung qi. Research has confirmed that this formula has a significant regulatory effect on the body's immune, metabolic, endocrine, and autonomic nervous systems. Regardless of the type of cancer, taking this formula with modifications often yields positive results. This formula also has a certain inhibitory effect on the side effects caused by cancer radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Studies have shown that Bu Zhong Yi Qi, Gui Pi, Xiang Sha Liu Jun, Ba Zhen, Si Wu, and Si Jun all have a tonifying effect and can be used appropriately during cancer treatment. In terms of expelling pathogenic factors, after half a century of exploration, TCM practitioners now have anti-cancer herbs such as Taxus, Paulownia bark, Lithospermum, White Snake Tongue Herb, Half Branch Lotus, Dragon Fruit, Raw Coix Seed, Blister Beetle, Crowberry, and Chicken Internal Gold; there are also softening and dispersing herbs like Sanleng, Eshu, Seaweed, Kelp, Mountain Bean Root, Mountain Cudweed, and Summer Dried Grass; furthermore, there are blood-activating and stasis-resolving herbs such as Panax Notoginseng, Leech, Earth Beetle, and Strychnos Nux-Vomica; and various insect-based medicines like Gecko, Whole Scorpion, Centipede, and Silkworm Cocoon, which can be used in combination, since insects are flesh-and-blood creatures and all have the functions of dispelling wind and activating blood circulation. Tumors inherently have an autoimmune tendency, and autoimmunity is essentially wind. In summary, tonifying the body, suppressing cancer, breaking stasis, and dispelling wind are the four major principles of TCM in treating tumors, and through clinical adaptation, adjustment, and modification, remarkable therapeutic effects can be achieved.

June 19, 2014: TCM Treatment for Various Tumors

The general principle is "accumulation arises from deficiency of righteous qi; only when righteous qi is deficient does accumulation occur," so deficiency is the foundation and excess is the target—this is the unchanging rule of TCM in treating cancer.

1. Lung Cancer Western medicine offers options such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, but for stage III and above lung cancer, these options are optional. It is crucial not to act rashly or over-treat, as this will only increase the patient's suffering and accelerate death. Common chemotherapy regimens currently include AP, GP, TP, and EP. Traditional Chinese medicine formulas include Lanzhou Formula No. 1 (Rehmannia glutinosa, Cornus officinalis, Ginseng beard, Prince ginseng, Party ginseng, Northern ginseng, Cinnamon twig, White peony, Licorice, Ginger, Jujube, Floating wheat, Ophiopogon japonicus, Schisandra, and others), Lanzhou Formula No. 2 (Rehmannia glutinosa, Cornus officinalis, Ginseng beard, Prince ginseng, Party ginseng, Northern ginseng, Yam, Poria, Alisma, Cinnamon twig, White peony, Licorice, Ginger, Jujube, Floating wheat, Ophiopogon japonicus, Schisandra, and others), and Lanzhou Formula No. 3 (Rehmannia glutinosa, Rehmannia preparata, Cornus officinalis, Yam, Moutan cortex, Poria, Alisma, Asparagus cochinchinensis, Ophiopogon japonicus, Schisandra, and others).

Among these three formulas, No. 1 is the basic formula for cancer treatment, while No. 2 and No. 3 are suitable for the recovery phase.

Commonly used medications include Maxing Shigan Tang, Xingsu San, Xiebai San, Tingli Dazao Xiefei Tang, Gualou Xiebai Banxia Tang, Guanxin No. 2, Zichen Rounei Tang (Purple quartz, Agarwood, Cinnamon, Chicken Internal Gold), Huangyu Er Ma Cao, Fuyuan Huoxue Tang, White Snake Tongue Herb, White Vitex and Humulus, and Half Branch Lotus.

2. Stomach Cancer The tonifying herbs are the same as for lung cancer, with special prescriptions including Stomach Cancer Formula No. 1 (Black Plum, Sichuan Pepper, Dried Ginger, Coptis chinensis, Pinellia ternata, Scutellaria baicalensis, Turmeric, Salvia miltiorrhiza, White peony, Houpu, Raw Coix Seed, Weilingxian, Buddha's Hand), and Stomach Cancer Formula No. 2 (Chuanlianzi, Salvia miltiorrhiza, Wood Fragrance, Cardamom, Jiao Sanxian, Summer Dried Grass, Seaweed, Kelp).

Commonly used medications include Xiangsha Liu Jun Tang, Banxia Xie Xin Tang, Ye's Yangwei Tang, Si Ni San, Si Qi Tang, Pingwei San, Da Xiao Jianzhong Tang, Xiao Chaihu Tang, Gallbladder-Pancreas Combination Formula, Gui Liang Tang, Wu Zhu Yu Tang, San Shu Tang, Gao Liang Jiang Tang.