Dr. George Wong is the President of the American Foundation for Chinese Medicine as well as a Harvard-trained Ph.D. (Please see the summary of his talk). These are the herbs Dr. Wong spoke about: (remember that you will probably need a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioner and certified herbalist to tell you which would be most appropriate for you). Licensed acupuncturists often are also trained in Chinese herbal medicine. Check your state licensing agency. Herbs to disperse disturbed or constrained energy (liver meridian) bupleuri (RX Bupleuri)-brings out 'bad' energy (releases the exterior) curcuma-spicy but also brings out energy (cucumae Zedoeriae is most frequently used to dissolve accumulation ("cancer"). He mentioned that St. John's Wort, rose tea, tangerine peel could be used as well. Herbs to calm and nourish mental energy sour jujube seed (Se.Ziziphi Spinosae) polygala (RX Polygalae Tenuifoliae)-also useful for the breast schisandra fruit-has 5 different 'tastes' and goes to the 5 Yin organs of the body Chinese date-'smoky taste', calms the mind He mentioned that these would/could be used in addition to exercise and other relaxation techniques. Herbs to tonify the blood rehmania (RX Rehmania Glutinosae Conquitae "Shu di Huang") (cooked)-very enriching but one must have good digestion Dong quai (RX Angelicae sinesis "Dang Gui"-can be very estrogenic, just use for a short time such as after surgery Szechuan lovage root (RX Ligustici Wallichii "chuan xiong" invigorates blood white peony root (RX Paeoniae Lactiflorae), tonifys blood, purified liver, restrains Yin, adjusts the 'defense' system lycium fruit (Lycii Fr. Lycii Chinesis)-can be used for cooking hosuwu (RX Polygoni Multifloir "He Shou Wu")-for women or men, if taken early it is said that one's hair will turn white more slowly. He stated that a 'famous' combination for women was composed of the first 4 items above. Also that the first two are strong phytoestrogens while Szechuan lovage root was less. Herbs to remove stasis and invigorate the blood red peony root (RX Paeoniae Rubra "Chi Shao"-very safe saliva root (RX Salviae Miltionrhizhae "Don Shou"-very common pseudoginseng (RX Pseudogingseng San Oi)-safe, can be powder form (stops bleeding) (It is said to transform and remove congealed blood "tumor" while stopping bleeding. Szechuan lovage root Here he said that stasis was 'dead' blood that could impair recovery, for example, from reconstructive surgery. These herbs help promote healing. Herbs to promote lymphatic flow astralagus (RX Astragali)-careful if hypertensive, Tonifies blood-promotes urination, discharge of pus & removes edema, augments the "defense" system. cinnamon twig (RX Cinnamomi Aussiae {Saigon Cinnamon Twig}-real medicine twig (not supermarket stuff), adjusts/helps the "defensive" system-moves Yang, transforms Qi, warms and facilitates the flow of blood in vessels. He stated that it may be possible for these herbs to help rechannel lymphatics (capillaries) but had to be done as soon after surgery as possible. Herbs to strengthen the immune system codonopsis root (RX Codnopsis "Dong Shen") astralagus ginseng-promotes all the organs to function properly and support the "original", benefits Yin, calms spirit and more. reishi mushroom-certified organic if possible (immune enhancer) These are used to fight the residual cancer cells that are circulating through the system. Herbs to improve digestive energy poria (Faling, Sclerotium Poriae Cocos)-strenthens the middle which is responsible for digestion, also drains dampness. Chinese yam (RX Dioscoreae-opposite Shan Yao)-helps digestion, nourishes the essence, supports spleen, stomach, kidney. barley-toasted slightly (this is available from Chinese herbal stores) atractylodes rhizome (RX Atractylodis Macrocephalae)-aids digestion, can help stop sweats. These are for spleen energy and useful during or after chemo. Herbs to tonify fundamental Yin energy ligustrum - Fr. Liguoti Lucidi [Privet Fruit], Nu Zhen Zi) rehmania (RX Rhemaniae Glutinosea)(fresh)-clears heat, cools blood, nourishes Yin, blood, generates fluides, used in combination with cooked rehmaniae rehmania (RX Rhemaniae Glutinosea Conquitae)(cooked) This is related to the kidney meridian energy, vitality, aging, bone density, reproduction. Chemotherapy can destroy these elements. Herbs to tonify fundamental Yang energy cornus (Fr. Corni Officinalis [Asiatic cornelian Cherry])-restrains leaking of essence, stabilized Qi, stops deficient sweating, supports that which has collapsed. Chinese dodder seed (Se. Cusaita) tonify Yang, augments Yin, benefits essence epimedium (aerial part) (Hb. Epimedic, tonifies kidney, fortifies Yang psorale fruit (Fr. Psoralae Corylifoliae [scruffy pea fruit])-fortifies kidney, tonifies Yang, warms sp. Yang These are related to the Yang energy in the female body. These herbs are synergistic with Yin energy. Herbs to tonify lung Yin energy white peony root (RX Paeoniae Lactiflorae)-under tonify blood ophiopogon tuber (Tu. Ophiopogonis Japonrei)-nourishes Yin, clears heat, calms the spirit, moistens lungs and masters the intestines, augments stomach Yin. glehnia root (RX Glehniae Littoralis)-moistens lungs, alleviates cough, moistens exterior, nourishes stomach fluids, clears heat. polygonatum (RX Polygonati Odarati [Solomon's seal Rhizome)-nourishes Yin, moistens dryness. Herbs to tonify lung energy codonopsis root astralagus ginseng schisandra fruit These herbs would be very safe to use after radiation. Dr. Wong also stated that radiation might not be necessary for some using complementary therapies since it can hurt the lungs, dry up moisture and reduce the power of the lungs. Ann's NOTE: There are studies that indicate NO survival benefit from the addition of radiation for subsets of patients. Even the NIH Consensus conference on Adjuvant Breast Cancer held in 2000 noted no survival benefit even as it recommended radiation for some women after mastectomies. It does reduce recurrence (relapse) but if there is relapse, the survial is very similar. Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.