Chinese Medicine Support During Cancer Treatment

While standard medical therapies like chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery remain the cornerstones of cancer care, integrative approaches from other healing traditions are increasingly being incorporated as complementary supportive treatments. These expanded options provide patients with more tools to alleviate side effects, improve quality of life, and potentially influence disease outcomes.

In this paper, we explore concepts from traditional Chinese medicine, and nutrition that offer additional perspectives on supporting health during and after conventional cancer treatment. Chinese medicine views the body holistically, as an interconnected system, rather than isolated parts.

According to these ancient principles, customized herbal formulas, acupuncture, dietary approaches, and movement practices can help restore harmony and strengthen resistance to illness. We provide an introduction to some of these therapies, such as acupuncture, medicinal soups and digestion-supporting herbs, that patients may consider under the guidance of knowledgeable practitioners.

While clinical evidence for many complementary modalities is still emerging, an open-minded integrative approach allows patients to access both modern medical science and age-old healing wisdom in their cancer journey. This paper offers a window into some of the Eastern medicine philosophies and therapies that are increasing being integrated into comprehensive cancer care plans.

Nutrition in the cancer setting is an irreplaceable pillar in providing essential nutrients before, during, and after diagnosis and treatment. The effects of cancer and its treatments like chemotherapy, radiation, and imaging can deplete nutrients, reduce energy, impair organ function, damage digestion, disrupt sleep, and cause muscle wasting.

The Chinese medicine paradigm offers a supportive modality using acupuncture and Chinese herbal formulas, during and with the conclusion of cancer treatment. During therapy, acupuncture is a gentle modality that can relieve and reduce many ill effects from chemotherapy and radiation. And while the goal and need is to reduce symptoms, treatment must match and be adjusted to a person’s existing level of strength, just enough but not too much.  

Diagnosis in Chinese Medicine

The Western medicine approach to disease diagnosis is based on the established criteria of examination, diagnostic symptoms, and supportive testing. Treatments are then determined that establish a universal standard for care allowing that illness or problem to be classified, and uniform therapies provided.

In Chinese medicine, diagnosis and treatment with acupuncture and herbal formulas are based on the Root and Branch construct as the fundamental principle.  The Branches refer to surface or visible signs and symptoms, like the branches of a tree. The Roots represent the deeper causative origin of the problem hidden beneath the surface. Diagnosis is a reflection of this changing combination of the two parts branch and root, not a fixed classification.

While receiving cancer therapies, both herbs and acupuncture each bring their unique but complementary approach to treatment, with the primary focus on the branches. During extended breaks or completion of therapy, both root and branch are more vigorously treated.

Treating branch problems or symptoms is an approach utilized in all paradigms of healing. The concept of root or the origin of disease in the Chinese paradigm is based on imbalance of the vital substances that support structure and function within the body.

These constituents are described as:

Yin and Yang—yin -masculine, dark, receptive           yang -female, light, active

They exist in a framework of balanced opposites but complementary, blending and flowing to create harmony. It is a duality, and they are described by comparison to each other. Re-establishing this balance is an essential in treatment.

Yin is considered the structural components within the body  

Yang is considered function, or the energetic activity within the body

Jing is the Essence of our Yang energy, the fire in the body that is stored in the Chinese organ of the Kidney. It is our inheritance that is created at the time of conception. It is like a deposit to your bank account and life depends on it, so it is intended to last a lifetime.

Qi is considered the vitality of the body, the energy that encompasses the functionality of each organ and cell within the body. It takes multiple forms within the body:

  • Yuan Qi is the source of our Yin and Yang

  • Gu Qi are the nutrients from our foods

  • Zong Qi extracted from the air we breathe

  • Wei Qi or Defensive Qi designed to protect the body

  • Ying Qi or nutritive Qi of the organs of the body.

Blood provides nourishment to the body by its flow, inside the blood vessels and acupuncture channels and outside the vessels in the form of body fluids that moisten tissues and joints.

Valuable Effects  of Acupuncture and Herbal Formulas In supportive cancer care include:

Improved: 

  • Sleep 

  • Appetite

  • Fatigue

  • Mood     

  • Immune strength 

  • Attitude 

Reduced: 

  • Anxiety

  • Nausea and diarrhea

  • Pain

  • Chemo brain                         

  • Weight loss

  • Hair loss

Western medicine commonly considers each organ, clinically for treatment purposes, as an isolated system, as recognized by its evolvement toward specialization. Each system’s therapies are thus the domain of the expert in that field.

In Chinese medicine, its system functions can be accurately described,

Each organ is unique, with its own functions and emotions but their behaviors and actions can be compared to a contemporary household. Each member organ is independent but reliant on others for the whole group to perform as an effective cohesive unit. And as in any family, individual personalities and emotions influence interactions and communications within the whole that create potentially harmonious or dysfunctional behaviors.  

In a family of any kind, there can be both cooperation and solidarity for needed activities, but when stressful conditions arise, behaviors can change and transform.   In Chinese medicine, organ interactions are often referenced as parent- child interrelationships and it is common to see conflicts between a parent and child or among the children. Control issues can surface, where some family members can become more needy while others act assertively or destructively. The effect of how the stress of disease impacts an organ is dependent on its existing stability, the amount of taxation on its needed functions, or the available resources of other family members for support.  Cancer and cancer treatment always impacts the entire family! And as in any family, recovery often requires an outside intervention. The benefit from Chinese medicine treatment, by an experienced practitioner, is to provide the needed acupuncture and herbal formulas to shift the balance toward healing and re-establish homeostasis among the members.

And as in any family, recovery often requires an outside intervention. The benefit from Chinese medicine treatment, by an experienced practitioner, is to provide the needed acupuncture and herbal formulas to shift the balance toward healing and re-establish homeostasis among the members.

Another generally unfamiliar aspect in Chinese medicine dynamics is the attributing of emotional qualities to each of the organs. When an organ’s distinctive emotion is displayed through the patient’s feelings it can indicate it has been overwhelmed or depleted and unable to perform optimally, and in need of treatment.

  • Spleen expresses Worry

  • Lung demonstrates Grief and Sadness

  • Heart reveals a lack of Vitality

  • Liver exhibits anger

  • Kidney displays fear and lack of will

Examples of these interactions can be seen in the following:

Family Imbalance

During chemotherapy digestive symptoms, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite can become challenging, commonly worsening over the cycles of treatment. Often the focus is directed in resolving the symptoms, but commonly during chemotherapy there is an interaction between the Liver and the digestive organs called the Spleen/Stomach.

Chemotherapy places a heavier load on the Liver to metabolize and process chemotherapy drugs, generating enhanced Liver activity. This intensified energy can overflow impacting digestion and aggravating the digestive symptoms more. This is called the Liver harassing the Spleen.

A patient presented with a persistent cough, fatigue, and difficulty breathing. The diagnosis that was made was non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma seen in the lymph nodes in the Lung. Treatment was begun, with success.

This was an unexpected single location for the cancer to manifest. Non-Hodgkin’s disease is almost always diagnosed by enlarging lymph nodes in the neck, groin, and axilla. This was an unexpected finding. Discussing the disease with the patient, questions inquired about any stressful event that may have occurred in the last few years that might have initiated the cancer. Tearfully the patient expressed deep sadness, explaining that a couple of years earlier there had been a violent death to a close family member and the event had clouded and overshadowed their life with persistent grief.

This was the Lung expressing deep sadness, and from the Chinese perspective, resulted in the weakness and imbalance in the Lung causing the cancer.

Treatment was designed for both overall supportive cancer care along with a focus on harmonizing and strengthening  the Lung and and recommending assistance to address the grief.

Diagnostic Practices in Chinese Medicine

Cancer patients often come to a practitioner of Chinese medicine with information concerning their diagnosis, testing, and treatments. This information provides insight into the thought process of the oncologist and their treatment plan. A Chinese practitioner adds their observational and examination information to integrate supportive care with traditional care, bridging the East and West.

Use of the skills of pulse, acupuncture needling, meridian palpation, and herbal formulas emphasizes an approach to treatment that reflects the concept that, “diagnosis is treatment, and treatment is the diagnosis”, The assessment determines what to treat and is confirmed by the treatment response.

Chinese Pulse Diagnosis

When discussing the pulse in diagnosis, three adjacent positions on each of the radial arteries at the wrists are used to differentiate and characterize the twelve organs. Ancient explanations suggest that blood passed through the twelve meridians, and since the wrist pulse carried the blood, measuring this pulse at different points could convey information about the health of each meridian individually.

There are dozens of properties and qualities associated with each pulse. A few examples of the 29 nuances are, deep or superficial, fast or slow, strong or weak, string like, choppy, intermittent, slippery, skipping, faint, and surging.

It is the quintessential element in diagnosis. It is taken differently than a western physician might, by using the second, third and fourth fingers together, placed next to each other at specific locations on the artery. It is taken simultaneously on both hands, with each finger able to individually palpate a specific pair of energetically connected organs, one felt superficially the other deep. By using three fingers, on the left and right hand, twelve organs can be measured.  Another variation of pulse palpation uses all three fingers as a single pulse which represents characteristic wave patterns which represent the deepest energy pathways of the acupuncture web called the Eight Extraordinary Meridians.

Acupuncture Technique

Acupuncture therapy is based on the practitioner evaluation of signs and symptoms combined with the pulse. In ancient times palpation of the body, especially a female’s, by a Chinese doctor was tabu and in her place an ivory statue of a reclining woman would be used to point out areas of distress or pain. In Japan, in the early 1600s the Shogun determined that blind people should have an occupation as acupuncturists allowing for an exam with privacy and concealment.  

Acupuncture tradition is based on five centuries of experiential clinical use that has compiled over 300 points, or holes, that provide distinct reproducible responses that have been categorized, to treat specific symptom patterns and/or organ pathology.  Each point can be needled to increase or upregulate activity, called tonification or decrease or downregulate activity, called sedation. Points used during each treatment vary depending on the evaluation, the issues needing addressing, and previous response. It is the essence of precision medicine.

Acupuncture Effects

The influence of needling influences the local microenvironment. When the needle is placed in the proper position based on location, depth, and direction, it contacts the capillary /lymphatic channels and the peripheral nerve plexus and creating a neuro-endocrine-immune response within the body. This effect supports and promotes the body's own self-regulatory ability to repair and heal. Bringing a greater balance and re-establishing homeostasis is designed to offer the potential for recovery from cancer treatment injury and promote an enhanced quality of life.

Again, it is important to stress that acupuncture points can be used to improve a function, tonification, or can diminish a function, called sedation as a supportive modality, but they do not treat cancer.  

In a research article supported by the National Natural Science Foundation in China and authored by Ning-cen Li and others, their article presents a partial list of the chemical substances released with acupuncture and suggesting potential influences systemically through local needling.  

  • 5HT3, an information messenger to the GI tract affecting enteric nervous systems regulation of gut mobility and peristalsis

  • Glucocorticoid Receptor, mediating the effects of glucocorticoids, a steroid receptor

  • CRH, Corticotropin Releasing Hormone, regulating the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis which coordinates the bodies’ emotional and physical response to stress

  • Substance P is secreted by cells in the brain, the astrocytes, and microglia, that assist in regulating inflammation, pain, T cell immune functions and influences tumor cell growth.

  • B Endorphins that influence the control of pain

  • Multiple Interleukins (IL 1,6,8,4 and TNF alpha) that regulate inflammation

Accupuncture Treatment Levels

Meridian Acupuncture

Meridian acupuncture is the predominate practice in TCM, Traditional Chinese Medicine. There are multiple individual pathways, symmetrically arranged on both sides of the body that circulate the blood and qi. They travel externally to connect to the extremities, sense organs and the skin, as well as to the interior, having connections to the internal organs.

Auricular Acupuncture

Empirical needling of the ear dates to the first century AD in China. It was considered a complementary extension to meridian acupuncture.  It evolved further when in the 1950’s Dr Paul Nogier in France begin seeing patients that had seen a healer who had cauterized a specific area of their ear which completely resolved their back pain. His research developed a treatment connection between different musculoskeletal areas as well as the organs based on their discrete anatomical landmarks within the ear. 

Points can be treated based on the region where there is illness or disease, or an area that elicits pain or discomfort when palpated. Today most practitioners have integrated both the Chinese and Western models in modern therapy.

Auricular acupuncture can be viewed as a method to access your mainframe computer via your laptop. If performed with precise point location it is synergistic with local acupuncture points and is especially helpful for balancing the parasympathetic and sympathetic aspects of the autonomic nervous system, balancing mood, reducing pain and supporting organ functions.

The needles used are sterile, solid, and stainless steel with an average diameter of.00325 inches and between 1-2 inches in length. Insertion pushes tissues away from the needle rather than cutting it, as medical IVs do. Treatment commonly involves several to a dozen needles, and most importantly to ensure the necessary neuro-endocrine-immune response treatment points must be palpated and located precisely and inserted in the correct direction or vector and depth.

Acupuncture during chemotherapy

During chemotherapy and radiation acupuncture offers multiple point possibilities for symptomatic supportive care. They need judicious use so as to not over tax a fragile system. When cancer therapies are completed, there are other specific protocols that can be offered for each specific cancer.

The Channel Divergents

This treatment aspect of acupuncture is often unfamiliar in TCM. While referenced in the earliest of Chinese texts its application became prominent in therapies seventy years ago in Japan. Its strength lies in the ability to supplement the meridian pathways by direct reinforcement of the organ systems. The Meridians are essential to affect the symptoms of disease. But medical cancer treatments often impact an organ’s cellular structure and functions requiring support from the six confluences of the Channel Divergents. They are considered the deepest pathways of treatment for repair and recovery.

One note, while these treatments are all potentially valuable, their application requires restraint in people undergoing active cancer treatment. Using all of these modalities together in a treatment can be too much for those with great levels of depletion. Moving qi and blood requires adequate amounts to be effective. Otherwise, it can stress already fragile systems and create more imbalance. Starting slow and reassessing is the wisdom of cancer support.

The Eight Extra Vessels

In ancient China, there were seasonal rains and drought conditions when growing crops, so irrigation systems were constructed to control water. In Spring, excess water was directed into reservoirs for storage and when drought conditions occurred, water was released.

This is the same concept of treatment using these vessels or channels. There power is in moving the most vital energy essence, the Yuan Qi to bring assistance to areas that are weak or deficient or directing disproportionate energy away from a system that is overactive. And while there are only four pairs of points, their effect is so great they are called the Extraordinary Meridians. Their abilities, suggest a 3D or holographic influence on the entire body.

Herbal Medicine

Supportive treatments whether in China or Japan are based on the same essential herbs and herbal formulas. The Chinese model utilizes the pulse, the tongue, symptoms, and observational insights for determining the formula for treatment. In Japan, they use the same information, but abdominal palpation is a priority for formula determination.

If you plan to integrate Chinese herbal formulas:

A note on reactions and interactions

People should also be alert to and anticipate possible interactions between herbs, supplements, prescription, and over-the-counter drugs that might be taken, recognizing that the actions of chemotherapy agents may be changed either favourably or unfavourably by products whether natural or otherwise – competing for receptors for metabolism. Advise your practitioners of all medications, herbs, and supplements and there are comprehensive databases available to assess possible interactions.

The appropriate dosing of herbal formulas should follow these guidelines. The goal will be to take 2-4 capsules 3-4 times daily to be effective. Herbs should not be taken at the same time as western medications, and it is preferable to have 10-15 minutes between herbal formulas and nutritional supplements. When initiating a new formula, start 1 capsule for a day and then go to two a day looking for any side effects or possible allergic reaction to the ingredients. Granules or capsules can be used but one ingredient in the capsules is corn starch. If there doesn’t appear to be any adverse response, then increase the dose to the practitioner’s recommendation over 3-4 days.

The use of Chinese herbal formulas in treatment, especially in supportive cancer care, is often unfamiliar. The ingredients currently in use are plant and mineral based materials, and in Western countries manufacturing follows strict quality control standards regarding herb quality and quantity, and rigorous testing for toxins, pathogens, and heavy metals. Inspection and assay by the FDA is also required on a regular basis. However, it should be pointed out that purchasing them at many nonprofessional websites, even with legitimate appearing labels, has shown over 50% of herbal products are counterfeit formulas or adulterated, so beware!

Herbal medicine has been practiced in China since the first century. Many variations of herb combinations that have existed for millennia. Doing a study on the effect of the multiple molecules in a randomized controlled study of each formula could not be done in the western research model. In both China and Japan, the formulas used in treatment originated almost two thousand years ago. While some have had modifications, their effectiveness has been proven throughout time with billons of people being treated.  In Chinese oncology hospitals there commonly exists a physical and treatment connection between the Western and Chinese medicine clinics and patients receive care from both. In Japan, only physicians can prescribe herbs and supportive care for cancer and western treatments commonly involve the addition of herbal formulas to standard oncology therapies.

KAMPO, The Japanese Perspective on Chinese Herbal Medicine

The origins of codified Eastern herbal practices originated in China around the first millennium. The Japanese were exposed to Chinese medicine in the 5th or 6th centuries and adopted their theories and applied them to treating patients. It wasn’t until the Edo period of Japanese isolation (1603-1867) that their unique approach to herbal medicine called Kampo developed and took form.

With the ending of Japan’s isolation in the Eighteenth century, Western culture began influencing medicine in Japan. Initially western surgical techniques were adopted, but Kampo remained important in treating internal medicine diseases. But it became apparent quickly that Western advances in acute care and infectious diseases provided better tools for care than Kampo treatment. A shift in medical philosophy therefore occurred, and in 1874 a law was enacted adopting German medical care for the entire national health system and made it a requirement of study to become a Japanese physician. At the same time all Kampo related education was discontinued, and while not forbidden, it’s practice declined substantially. Following World War II however a revival of Kampo tradition occurred but always within the framework of modern western medicine and Its scope was severely limited. But with the shift toward modernization, Japan’s population began experiencing diseases of the industrial societies, an aging population, and their associated multi-system chronic diseases. The limitations of Western medicine in these areas, offered a new therapeutic intervention that Kampo therapies could address. Its practice proved effective resulting in its re-integration into the medical school curriculum and making herbal formulas available by prescription only. To encourage greater availability, in 1967, Kampo became covered under national insurance.

TCM herbal practitioners rely on pulse diagnosis as the foundation of their herbal treatments. This method of examination offers an elegant way of assessing Zang/Fu or organ function and balance, and when combined with symptoms, an herbal prescription is created. However, pulse analysis can be subject to misleading information as several factors can influence and change pulse interpretation including western pharmacological and OTC medications, nutritional supplements, toxicants, and lifestyle decisions.

Instead, Kampo practitioners focus on the abdominal examination, called Fukushin, for objective information in prescribing. Their cultural beliefs connect one’s energetic health, balance and harmony to the strength or weakness of their core energy, stored in the Hara, and by extension, Kampo is considered the most direct assessment of this dynamic of health.

The abdominal exam, Fukushin, evaluates specific anatomical areas of the abdomen to gain diagnostic information as to the imbalances that can be contributing to the development of or are the result of illness or disease.

Step 1

The exam begins by doing gentle abdominal massage to relax the muscles and then each of 14 areas are examined, each of which corresponds to an anatomic area representing a specific organ.  A normal muscular exam will show firmness with good tone while imbalance reveals excessive tension or tightness or excessive softness. For example, excessively tight muscles along the edge of the lower ribs is considered liver excess, while soft spongey feeling muscles above the pubic bone reflect kidney weakness.

Step 2

Each abnormal area on exam also indicates the specific master herb that is needed in treatment. This principal herb then becomes the foundational base for several possible formulas that can be prescribed.

Step 3

The symptoms the person presents with when combined with the abdominal exam establishes a distinct and unique pattern called the SHOH. This pattern is then matched with the specific principal herbal formula that treats that pattern. This style of herbal prescribing has been used with success for four hundred years.

Four–phase supportive herbal treatment using Chinese medicine during chemotherapy or radiation.

As a result of the progress in the biomedical treatment of cancer, many patients now experience extended periods of remission, living with what is now starting to be regarded as a chronic disease.  Like some chronic diseases, cancer can often be well-managed even if not completely curable. This allows many patients to live longer with minimal symptoms and a higher quality of life. This paradigm shift has opened the door to Chinese medicine as supportive treatment, first to help cancer patients through the intensity of conventional treatment, then to help them recover, rejuvenate, and manage their condition in the long term.

This outline is a supportive herbal treatment plan for cancer patients while going through and after chemotherapy. It is divided into four stages, corresponding to the four phases cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, and often radiation, typically go through. Each phase is characterised by a specific constellation of symptoms and concerns.

Each of the Phases discussed indicates a focus of herbal treatment. In each phase, there are potentially several similar formulas that could be chosen, but each has specific variations to address symptoms that seem most bothersome or impactful. Also, while the principal herb is consistent the formulas can be regularly modified and adapted when symptoms change.

Phase one

The administration of chemotherapy, usually in the form of intravenous (IV) infusion, directly affects digestive transformation or the extraction of nutrients, their absorption, transportation, and distribution to other organs. This is the function of the Spleen and Stomach, or the digestive functions in Chinese medicine.  

Phase one formulas are therefore designed to relieve the acute symptoms of nausea, vomiting, distention, and diarrhoea, which usually last for 2-4 days and slowly resolve.

Such symptoms typically reoccur cyclically with each infusion, in which case herbal formulas are used immediately after each treatment.

Phase two

Repeated cycles of chemotherapy inevitably weaken digestion (Spleen and Stomach function); hence supportive treatment between cycles of treatment, especially chemotherapy, focuses on strengthening the digestive system, in addition to controlling acute symptoms. This involves nourishing and building digestive energy; or tonifying Stomach and/or Spleen qi (digestive energy), Spleen yin (repairing digestive cells) and yang (overall vital energy) deficiency. Phase two formulas are usually introduced when acute reactions to drug treatment, as seen in phase one, have subsided, and are stopped 24-48 hours before the next chemotherapy infusion.

Often in early cycles of chemotherapy the appetite, taste and energy are weaker but maintained. As chemotherapy treatments progress, there is a slow decline of appetite, taste, energy, and overall digestive function.

Diet in phases one and two

During phase one and two, patients are encouraged to eat cooked and easily digestible soups and stews. Supplementing the diet with protein shakes and smoothies, can provide basic nutrients in a form that allows for easy assimilation. Preferentially, a combination of rice and pea protein, or whey protein is preferred as soy proteins can encourage angiogenesis (the formation of new blood vessels) due to the copper they contain.

Rather than recommending a specific diet, patients should focus on foods that are appealing to them. Oftentimes few things do, as the appetite wanes and the sense of taste and smell diminish. However, avoidance of refined sugars and processed foods is important, which often contain chemicals and preservatives as well as high amounts of sugar.

Some patients tolerate their infusions with minimal acute gastrointestinal symptoms so if there are no acute symptoms after an infusion, phase two formulas can be used starting after the infusion.

Phase three

With the conclusion of the chemotherapy cycle, the oncologist will often try to wait, usually two to three months if there are no symptoms, to allow the inflammatory effects on the tissues to abate and healing to take place, before rescanning the body. If tests are carried out too soon, inflammatory reactions might be mistaken for cancer growth and result in a false positive diagnosis of recurrent disease. Evaluations performed throughout this break include laboratory testing for cancer markers, blood counts, organ function tests and radiologic imaging. The composite of the results will determine further care plans. If the disease is unchanged or progressive, then a shift in treatment and the introduction of different drugs may be indicated. If the tests reveal an absence of disease, or a person is cancer free right now, the choice might be watchful waiting or if the cancer is known to be an aggressive form the choice might include continuing the effective treatments.

If there is no plan to resume treatment, this time marks the beginning of phase three. Formulas are designed with a focus on initiating repair and recovery by rebuilding qi and blood requiring from three to six months, depending on the level of depletion. During phase three, continuing regular acupuncture once to twice a month is extremely beneficial.

Phase four-Recovery

With the completion of conventional treatment, and the assumed or achieved remission, the oncologist’s focus becomes vigilant watchfulness for any early recurrence or persistent adverse side-effects from treatment. This marks the beginning of phase four. At this stage, lower physical stamina, persistent weight loss, cognitive impairment, and the sense of having aged are common. With the return to daily activities, the requirement of greater energy output reveals the deeper effects of chemotherapy. The patient’s reserves have been depleted and it is at this time that signs and symptoms of core energy weakness or Kidney deficiency become apparent.

The goal of phase four is support with Kidney tonics, although additionally qi and blood tonics are often still needed. especially at the beginning.

Concurrently, Phase 3 and 4 formulas can be used at the same time to address possible persistent side effects of treatment, such as low blood counts, chronic pain, and mood and sleep issues. This phase of recovery is commonly nine to twelve months.

The Long-Term Perspective of Chinese Medicine for Supportive Care

The long-term approach of Chinese medicine in supportive care transitions from immediate recovery to the sustained objective of maintaining a cancer-free state. Life after cancer treatment, while ostensibly returning to normal, is fundamentally altered. Our website provides a wealth of lifestyle resources to navigate the complexities of survivorship.

At this juncture, the focus of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine shifts towards reinforcing the body's core vitality, boosting immune function, and improving overall quality of life. From the perspective of Chinese medicine, these practices first aim to clear obstructions that disrupt the smooth circulation of essential energies. Tailored acupuncture techniques and herbal formulations are recommended for each cancer type and each person, implemented in three-month cycles. Following a period dedicated to reconfiguring these energies, a three-month regimen of tonic or nourishing herbs is introduced to restore balance. This alternating cycle is designed to promote the sustained well-being and energy harmony. The cycle then repeats itself.

Recommendations for specific herbal formulations are not given on the web site but the expertise of a Chinese practitioner can provide consultation and potentially offer specific therapies during therapy and recovery, all of which can be integrated easily with your western care.

Medicinal Soups for Supportive Cancer Care.

In Asian medicine, food is medicine. Medicinal soups can help nourish digestion and reduce side effects of chemo and radiation. The concept is to provide nourishing easily digestible soups to enhance recovery and the effectiveness of acupuncture and herbs.

Post radiation Soup 

1 cup twice daily, this makes a few days’ worth and can be refrigerated.

  • 3 quarts water

  • Shitake Mushrooms 8 pcs      

  • Tofu ½-1 package firm, organic rinsed well in water and cubed

  • Onion 1 minced

  • Carrots 2 minced

  • Wakame seaweed 2oz cut in 1-inch pieces

  • Kombu seaweed 1oz, break into small pieces

  • Miso —red, yang or energy enhancing, red has gluten, if sensitive get white. Start with 12 tbsp/ 3 quarts

  • Minced green scallions 4

  • Mung Beans

  • Simmer veggies 1 hour, add Miso mixture

Wash and break up the seaweed, put in the bottom of the pot and cook with soup, then remove it.

Simmer the veggies for 30-45 minutes

Then put the miso in a bowel add soup broth, stir till mixed well and no lumps and add to soup. Never boil the miso in the soup

In classic Chinese medicine, the following are often added to the soup.

Coix (barley) 20gms -digestive weakness, diarrhea

Mung bean sprouts help to detox radiation

Scute (skullcap) 20gms -helps heal diarrhea and gut inflammation (Remove before eating soup)

For high-quality raw herbs, try Mayway Herbs in San Francisco. They have affordable options that can be shipped.

Bone Marrow Soup

For Chemo or Radiation Suppression of White blood cells

  • 2-3 Cups/Day, refrigerate

  • Use organic beef bones, cut into 1–2-inch pieces. Bake them for 30-40 minutes at 400°F to brown the bones and melt the fat.
    Remove any leftover fat or purchase organic beef broth from a market.

  • 3 quarts of water for bones. If using bones put in bones or 3 quarts beef broth, cook for 1 hour covered, along with:

  • 8 pieces Shitake mushroom

  • 1 onion minced

  • 2 carrots minced

  • 2 potatoes

  • 1 oz. wakame cut in 1-inch pieces

  • 1 oz. kombu cut in 1-inch pieces

ADD to soup

  • Ginseng 8 oz.- strengthens whole body energy

  • Dang-kuei 8 oz- builds blood

  • Several slices of fresh Ginger—improves appetite

Remove herbs, they can be eaten, but different from American food

Rice Congee is considered a porridge or soup or gruel that is eaten as medicinal as well as healthful comfort food. It is rice simmered in a large quantity of water. It can be eaten for any meal but is commonly taken as breakfast. Congee is very hydrating and nourishing for digestive issues. White rice is typically used, but brown or jasmine rice works also. The ratio of rice to water often needs experimentation to get the consistency desired.  Before cooking the rice should be rinsed in a strainer till the water runs clear.

Two methods can be used:

In a crock pot, 1 cup rice and 4 cups water cooked for four hours (started on high and reduced to low) gives a thick consistency. If cooking on the stove top, ¾ to 1 cup rice, ½ to ¾ tsp salt and 8-10 cups of water are cooked for forty-five minutes to an hour.

On the stove, bring the ingredients to a boil, then turn down to simmer and cover but use a wooden spoon to allow steam to escape.  Rice cooked for a meal has separate individual grains, congee has a smooth silky velvety look. But cook it to the consistency you desire. 

When congee is done:

On little plates or bowls spoon in additions such as some organic chicken, beef, chicken, fish, or Jamy eggs for added protein. Condiments that can be added include soy sauce, black vinegar. Also, scallions, cilantro, fried shallots, dried soaked sliced and cooked shitake mushrooms, goji berries and cooked Chinese yam, peeled (wear gloves) and cut into cubes. All can add different flavors but doesn’t change the congee itself.

These added Chinese herb recommendations should be withheld in the days before or after a chemotherapy

Colon Cancer Soup

  • Chicken Broth, 3 quarts

  • Lotus root 3-4 slices- regulates energy decreases inflammation. Soak in water with a dash of vinegar then cook for 10-15 minutes to soften.

  • Kombu seaweed 1oz cut into pieces -these both clears inflammation, dissolves masses

  • Wakame seaweed 1 oz cut into pieces

  • 2-3 scallions chopped

Cook for 1 hr, add the miso. For 3 quarts 12 tbsps. and add broth to the miso and stir it till all lumps are gone then add it to the soup.

  • Roasted ginger

  • Zanthoxylum (Szechuan pepper fruit) 3gms-reduces pain, improves peristalsis

  • Shan Yao (Sweet Yam) 2 pieces- digestive weakness, fatigue

  • Shitake mushrooms 8-10 strengthens immunity

  • Coix 30gms (Barley)- digestive weakness, diarrhea

 It also is good right after chemo for nausea and weakness

Prostate Cancer Soup:

  • Chicken broth 3 quarts

  • Sticky rice 2 oz

  • Plantago Seed 15gms- decreases painful urination

  • Shijimi Extract 1 tbsp (freshwater Clam extract)

  • Wakame 1 oz.

  • Kombu 1oz.

  • Winter melon (similar to cucumber) 15gms- relieves urinary pain and difficulty