Three Components of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Treating Cancer

　　Three components of traditional Chinese medicine in treating cancer are presented here by Guang Xingguo, a senior herbalist doctor in Modern Cancer Hospital Guangzhou. With the knowledge of these, cancer patients can do more to benefit their body in the process of treatment.
　　I. Herbal Medication and Dietary
　　The conventional method of applying herb therapy is to make a decoction - a strong "tea" made by simmering raw herbs in water. Herbs are usually taken as a formula, which may contain 10-15 herbs. Each formula is consisted of a chief herb, a few assistant herbs, and a courier herb to take the medicine to the site of the "lesion". Each herb in the formula has a different role. In prescribing a medication, a practitioner adapts a basic formula with proven effectiveness in treating a particular pattern of disharmony, and adds other herbs to suit the patient's distinct characteristics.
　　Concentrated Chinese Herbal Granules
　　Concentrated Chinese herbal granules are a representation of a new generation of Chinese herbal products, and offer a safe and convenient means of using herbs. They are extracts of herbs and carry the same potency.
　　Common types of herbal therapies
　　Fu Zhen therapy
　　Fu Zhen therapy is an immune-enhancing herbal regimen, and is used as an adjunct to chemotherapy and radiation. The principal herbs in the therapy strengthen the body's nonspecific immunity and enhance the functions of T-cells.
　　Herbal Antitoxin therapy
　　Herbal Antitoxin therapy is a regularly used therapy with proven effects in inhibiting tumor growth. Kelp and Pokeroot are among the herbs known to dissolve tumors.
　　Blood Activating therapies
　　Blood activating therapy helps reduce coagulation and inflammatory reactions associated with immune response
　　Dietary
　　In Traditional Chinese Medicine, herbs and food go hand in hand in influencing the body's energy fields. It follows that a patient's diet must align with medications taken for benefits to be realized. Chinese dietary supervision is a sophisticated system that evaluates food according to its properties and therapeutic value. Whole-grain products, beans, fresh vegetables, and mushrooms are frequently recommended.

II. Acupuncture and Acupressure
　　Acupuncture is another form of Chinese therapy applied to change the flow or quality of the life force, and to re-balance body energies. Acupuncture is applicable in the treatment of persistent pain, arthritis, asthma, infertility, and acute and chronic diseases. For cancer patients, it serves to alleviate pain and to address functional disorders associated with the illness. For example, acupuncture improves the ability to swallow for patients with esophageal cancer. Acupuncture also mitigates side effects of chemotherapy and radiation. As complement of herbal medications, acupuncture has been employed as a treatment for breast and cervical cancer in early stages. In addition, acupuncture also helps release stress and pain following surgeries.
　　III. Traditional Chinese Medicine therapeutic exercises
　　Another component of Traditional Chinese Medicine used in the treatment of cancer is therapeutic exercise. It comes in two forms: tai-chi and chi-gong. The purpose of both exercises is to enable a person to regulate and direct the flow of qi within his or her own body. For cancer patients, practitioners prescribe exercises that specifically address the patients' illnesses. Many cancer patients, who have practicing chi-gong and tai-chi, have noted that a positive attitude plays an important role in the curing of the disease.