Nowadays, cancer has become one of the most significant factors threatening our health and traditional Chinese medicine has been recognized for its effectiveness in fighting against cancer. Combining traditional Chinese medicine with surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy can effectively improve the cure rate of cancer. However, many patients have misconceptions about the use of anti-cancer Chinese medicine, which affects the treatment outcomes. Let's take a look at some misconceptions about taking anti-cancer Chinese medicine.
Misconception 1: Only toxic herbs can fight tumors
Many people believe that only toxic Chinese herbs can fight tumors, so they take large amounts of herbs such as centipedes, scorpions, and datura. In fact, these herbs are just one type of anti-cancer Chinese medicine. There are many other types of Chinese medicine that also have anti-cancer effects, such as Qi-tonifying and blood-nourishing herbs, heat-clearing and detoxifying herbs, and softening and resolving mass herbs. Relying solely on one or a few toxic herbs is often insufficient to inhibit tumors and may also damage the function of organs such as the heart, liver, and kidneys. Therefore, it is necessary to formulate prescriptions based on the patient's diagnosis to effectively exert the anti-cancer effects of Chinese medicine and avoid toxic side effects.
Misconception 2: Chinese medicine should not be taken in summer
Some people believe that taking Chinese medicine in summer will cause internal heat. This view is biased. Chinese medicine can be categorized as cold, hot, warm, or cool. In summer, when the yang energy is strong and prone to internal heat, it is unnecessary to take herbs that are pungent and warming. However, taking Chinese medicine that clears heat, promotes diuresis, and relieves summer heat will not cause internal heat and can even treat symptoms of internal heat. Some people also think that it is not suitable to take tonifying herbal decoctions in summer, but for patients with yang deficiency and qi deficiency, tonifying herbs can be taken, especially for patients who have depleted their qi and blood, body fluids, and have imbalanced yin and yang after radiation and chemotherapy. They should be adjusted accordingly.
Misconception 3: Chinese herbs should be decocted for a long time to achieve better effects
Some people believe that Chinese herbs need to be decocted for a long time to achieve better effects. This is a one-sided understanding. Not all Chinese herbs require long decoction. Only some shellfish and mineral-based herbs require long decoction, while some tonic herbs can be decocted for a longer time. However, herbs for treating external pathogens, clearing heat and detoxification, and purgative herbs should not be decocted for a long time, as it may reduce their effectiveness.
Misconception 4: Using other people's prescriptions
Some people see others achieve good results after taking Chinese medicine and try to use the same prescription, but they do not get satisfactory results. This is because Chinese medicine diagnosis and treatment are based on individual conditions, and the prescription needs to be adjusted according to the development and changes of the disease. Even if two people have the same type of tumor, the prescription may not be the same because everyone's manifestation of yin and yang, cold and heat, deficiency and excess is different. Therefore, it is not advisable to use other people's prescriptions.
Misconception 5: Tumor patients should not take blood-activating herbs
It is often heard that some people say that blood-activating and stasis-dissolving herbs should not be used in tumor patients, and even some doctors say so. Clinical research has shown that the occurrence and development of tumors are often accompanied by blood stasis and obstruction of the meridians, manifested as increased blood viscosity, organ enlargement, and compression of surrounding tissues. The method of activating blood circulation and resolving stasis is a treatment method aimed at the pathological characteristics of tumor blood stasis and obstruction. Modern studies have confirmed that the blood circulation of many cancer patients is characterized by high coagulation and high viscosity, and blood-activating herbs can reduce blood viscosity and prevent the formation of cancer emboli. Therefore, promoting blood circulation and resolving stasis is one of the important methods for anti-cancer treatment, but it should not be used in patients with bleeding tendency.
