CA Support™

TCM herbal cancer support formula for patients with extreme weakness and deficiency who cannot withstand chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery — immunostimulant; hematopoietic; antineoplastic; antiangiogenic; clears heat; eliminates toxins; tonifies qi, blood, yin, and yang

⚠️ This formula is NOT designed to treat cancer, nor to replace chemotherapy and/or radiation. Its focus is to support patients who are too weak to continue treatments, strengthen the underlying constitution, and improve quality of life. Contraindicated in patients with severe infection or inflammation with excess heat. Do not use Chinese or Korean Ren Shen (Radix et Rhizoma Ginseng) in individuals with extreme weakness from chemotherapy/radiation — severe yin deficiency makes warm herbs inappropriate (dry nose and mouth, nosebleeds, oral ulcerations). This formula uses Xi Yang Shen (American Ginseng) instead.

CLINICAL APPLICATIONS

* Cancer support formula: patients with cancer who suffer extreme weakness and deficiency and cannot withstand surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation treatments

* Late-stage, terminally ill cancer patients with pain and suffering

* Maintenance and preventative formula at the conclusion of chemotherapy and radiation treatments

Background: Cancer is the second leading cause of death (CDC, 2012). Western treatment options — surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation — may be effective but are invasive and often cause severe damage to organs and cells, including bone marrow suppression with decreased red and white blood cell counts. Serious bone marrow suppression often necessitates termination of chemotherapy and radiation, leaving patients suffering from both cancer and treatment side effects simultaneously. For patients too weak to receive further treatment, herbal therapy is extremely beneficial to alleviate side effects, strengthen the body, and improve quality of life.

TCM differentiation: Cancer is characterized by both extreme excess (accumulation of phlegm, heat, and toxins) and extreme deficiency (qi, blood, yin, and yang deficiencies caused by chemotherapy and radiation). Optimal treatment requires herbs to gently clear heat and eliminate toxins while greatly tonifying the underlying deficiencies. CA Support tonifies without causing stagnation and sedates without injuring the body's constitution.

Key herb-level clinical data:

— Huang Qi (Radix Astragali / Astragalus): immunostimulant — increases white blood cells, multinuclear leukocytes, and IgM; clinical study: restored normal immune function in 115 patients with leukopenia; hematopoietic — stimulates bone marrow and increases production and maturity of blood cells; tonifies qi; light tonic with strong immune-enhancing effect without stagnating side effects

— Xi Yang Shen (Radix Panacis Quinquefolii / American Ginseng): tonifies qi; strong immune-enhancing effect; cool in nature — appropriate for patients with severe yin deficiency from chemotherapy/radiation (unlike warm Chinese/Korean Ren Shen); light tonic without stagnating side effects

— Ji Xue Teng (Caulis Spatholobi / Spatholobus / Millettia): immunostimulant — increases neutrophils and eosinophils after 3 days of herbal therapy; hematopoietic — distinctly stimulates proliferation of hematopoietic progenitor cells in subjects with bone marrow depression; tonifies blood

— Dong Chong Xia Cao (Cordyceps / Caterpillar Fungus): immunomodulatory — enhances overall immunity by increasing lymphocytes and natural killer cells, and production of interleukin, interferon, and tumor-necrosis-factor; Cordysinocan (polysaccharide from cultured Cordyceps) activates immune responses in T-lymphocytes and macrophages — signals cascade and induction of cytokines; antineoplastic — cytotoxic, significant dose-dependent inhibitory effect on 4 cancer cell lines: breast cancer, mouse melanoma, human premyelocytic leukemia, and human hepatocellular carcinoma; strengthens yang

— Bai Zhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae / White Atractylodes): immunostimulant — increases WBCs, lymphocytes, and IgG; enhances macrophage activity and reticuloendothelial system; antineoplastic — marked inhibitory action against esophageal cancer (in vitro); strengthens middle jiao; enhances qi-tonifying effect of Huang Qi and Xi Yang Shen; improves appetite and digestive function

— Chong Lou (Rhizoma Paridis / Paris Polyphylla / Herb Paris): immunostimulant — stimulates phagocytosis, respiratory burst, and nitric oxide production; antineoplastic — dose-dependent anticancer activity against lung adenocarcinoma cells, human promyelocytic leukemia cells, and breast cancer cells (steroidal saponins, polyphyllin D)

— Bai Hua She She Cao (Herba Hedyotis / Hedyotis / Oldenlandia): immunomodulatory and antitumor — stimulates immune system to kill or engulf tumor cells; antineoplastic — potent effects against breast cancer (methylanthraquinone, Ca²⁺-mediated apoptosis), liver cancer, nasopharyngeal cancer, colorectal cancer, leukemia, prostate cancer, lung cancer, uterine leiomyoma, and skin cancer; clears heat; eliminates toxins

— Ban Zhi Lian (Herba Scutellariae Barbatae / Barbat Skullcap): antineoplastic — potent effects against breast cancer (BZL101, selective cytotoxicity), liver cancer (pheophorbide a, photodynamic apoptosis), nasopharyngeal cancer (neo-clerodane diterpenoid alkaloids), colorectal cancer, leukemia, prostate cancer (TRAMP mice, apoptosis modulation), lung cancer (wogonin, COX-2 inhibition), uterine leiomyoma (Bcl-2 downregulation), and skin cancer (chemoprevention); augments macrophage oxidative burst; clears heat; eliminates toxins

— E Zhu (Rhizoma Curcumae / Curcuma / Zedoary): antineoplastic — induces apoptosis and inhibits proliferation of human cancer cells; satisfactory results for stomach, lung, liver, and esophageal cancers; antiangiogenic — inhibits formation of new blood vessels to suppress tumor growth, invasion, and metastasis; clears heat; relieves pain

— Fu Ling (Poria): antineoplastic — generally more effective when combined with other therapies; antiangiogenic — inhibits tumor growth, invasion, and metastasis; strengthens middle jiao; enhances qi-tonifying effect

— Yi Yi Ren (Semen Coicis / Coix / Job's Tears): antineoplastic — generally more effective when combined with other therapies; strengthens middle jiao

— Huang Jing (Rhizoma Polygonati / Polygonatum / Solomon's Seal): nourishes yin

WESTERN THERAPEUTIC ACTIONS

* Immunostimulant / WBC boost — Huang Qi (WBC↑, leukocytes↑, IgM↑, 115 leukopenia patients); Ji Xue Teng (neutrophils↑, eosinophils↑, 3 days); Bai Zhu (WBC↑, lymphocytes↑, IgG↑, macrophages↑); Chong Lou (phagocytosis↑, respiratory burst↑, NO↑); Bai Hua She She Cao (tumor cell engulfment↑)

* Hematopoietic / RBC boost — Huang Qi (bone marrow stimulation, blood cell production↑); Ji Xue Teng (hematopoietic progenitor cell proliferation↑, bone marrow depression); Dong Chong Xia Cao (lymphocytes↑, NK cells↑)

* Antineoplastic — Ban Zhi Lian + Bai Hua She She Cao (breast, liver, nasopharyngeal, colorectal, leukemia, prostate, lung, uterine, skin cancers); E Zhu (apoptosis↑, proliferation↓, stomach/lung/liver/esophageal); Dong Chong Xia Cao (breast cancer, melanoma, leukemia, hepatocellular carcinoma, dose-dependent); Chong Lou (lung adenocarcinoma, leukemia, breast cancer); Bai Zhu (esophageal cancer); Yi Yi Ren + Fu Ling (combined therapy)

* Antiangiogenic — E Zhu + Fu Ling (new blood vessel formation↓, tumor growth↓, invasion↓, metastasis↓)

* Immunomodulatory — Dong Chong Xia Cao (Cordysinocan: T-lymphocytes + macrophages, cytokine induction, interleukin↑, interferon↑, TNF↑)

CHINESE THERAPEUTIC ACTIONS

* Tonifies qi; strengthens middle jiao; improves appetite and digestion (Huang Qi, Xi Yang Shen, Bai Zhu, Fu Ling, Yi Yi Ren)

* Tonifies blood (Ji Xue Teng)

* Nourishes yin (Huang Jing)

* Strengthens yang (Dong Chong Xia Cao)

* Clears heat; eliminates toxins; relieves pain (E Zhu, Ban Zhi Lian, Bai Hua She She Cao)

DOSAGE

Standard: 3–4 capsules three times daily on an empty stomach with warm water for maximum effectiveness.

Supplementary formulas: Enhance immune system and increase WBC count — add Cordyceps 3 or Immune+. Increase RBC count — add Dang Gui Bu Xue Tang (Tangkuei Decoction to Tonify the Blood) or Schisandra ZZZ. Hair loss from chemotherapy or radiation — add Polygonum 14. Loose stools from Spleen deficiency — add GI Tonic. Pain due to cancer — add Herbal ANG. Acute headache — add Corydalin (AC). Chronic headache — add Corydalin (CR). Dry skin — add Nourish (Fluids).

Nutrition: Eat a variety of fresh organic fruits and vegetables of all colors. Incorporate high-fiber whole grains and nuts. Drink warm or hot liquids with meals — cold drinks hinder peristalsis. Eat antioxidant-rich foods (vitamins A, C, E): citrus fruits, carrots, green leafy vegetables, and green tea. Chew food completely. Always eat breakfast — per the TCM clock, the most optimal time for the digestive system is 8:00–10:00 a.m. Allow 2–3 hours between the last meal and bedtime. Avoid food allergies and trigger foods. Avoid fast food, processed foods, junk food, artificial sugars, and carbonated drinks. Avoid meat, greasy food, alcohol, caffeine, dairy products, tap water, iron supplements, and produce with pesticides.

For breast cancer patients: All mushrooms, whole grains, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, yellow/orange vegetables (carrots, pumpkins, squash, sweet potatoes), fresh garlic, onions, fresh berries, apples, cherries, grapes, and plums are especially beneficial.

For nausea: Boil 10 slices of ginger for 5 minutes and mix with brown sugar. Fresh ginger slices can also be chewed or sucked for a stronger and immediate effect.

Foods that damage the Spleen — avoid: All sugar-containing foods (cake, dessert, candy, chocolate, canned juice, soft drinks, caffeinated drinks, stevia, sugar substitutes, agave, xylitol, corn syrup). Raw or uncooked meats. Cooling foods: tofu, tomato, celery, asparagus, bamboo, seaweed, kelp, bitter melon, cucumber, gourd, luffa, eggplant, winter melon, watermelon, honeydew, citrus, oranges, guava, grapefruit, pineapple, plums, pear, banana, papaya, white radish, mustard leaf, potherb mustard, Chinese kale, napa, bamboo sprout — do not eat foods straight from the refrigerator; cooling property can be neutralized by cooking or adding 20 pieces of Gou Qi Zi (Fructus Lycii). White rice or bread (produce dampness). Shellfish: crabs, oysters, scallops, clams, lobster, shrimp (enter yangming Stomach channel). Fermented foods (cheese, fermented tofu). Dairy products. Lamb, beef, goose, or duck. Fried or greasy foods. Warm and hot-natured foods: heat-producing fruits (mango, durian); stimulants (coffee, alcohol, energy drinks); spicy/pungent/aromatic vegetables (pepper, garlic, onions, basil, rosemary, cumin, fennel, anise, leeks, chives, scallions, thyme, saffron, wormwood, mustard, chili pepper, wasabi). Artificial coloring. Processed meats (nitrites associated with inflammation).

Millet porridge (daily breakfast): Millet 100g + Shan Yao (Rhizoma Dioscoreae / fresh 50g or dried 25g) + Fu Ling (Poria) 25g. Cook all ingredients in 4 cups of water — bring to a boil for 5 minutes, simmer on medium heat for 20 minutes. Millet has high nutritional value, is easy to digest, and is extremely beneficial to the Spleen.

Tao of Nutrition (Dr. Maoshing Ni and Cathy McNease): Consume foods that strengthen the body to fight cancer cells and detoxify. Blend shiitake or ganoderma mushrooms and white fungus — boil and drink soup 3x daily. Boil mung beans, pearl barley, azuki beans, and figs — aids appetite and sustains energy. Make tea from dandelion, burdock, and chrysanthemum flowers (can add beet tops or carrot tops) — drink daily as regular beverage. Wash commercially grown fruits and vegetables in salt water to neutralize chemicals. Eat garlic and seaweed, slightly stir-fried in water. Drink carrot and celery juice. Make blender juice from fresh vegetables and drink warm. For breast cancer: make tea from asparagus and dandelion and apply poultice to breast. For breast tumor: charcoal pumpkin cap into powder — take 1 teaspoon in 1 small glass of rice wine 2x daily. Make tea from seaweed, peach kernel, and green orange peels. For externally visible tumors: make poultice from seaweed, ginger, and dandelion — apply locally. Avoid: meat (a little fish is acceptable), coffee, cinnamon, anise, pepper, dairy products, spicy foods (except garlic), high-fat foods, cooked oils, chemical additives, and moldy foods. Avoid smoking, stress, and all irritants.

Lifestyle: Avoid radiation from microwaves; limit prolonged exposure to high electromagnetic output appliances (television, computer monitors, electric stoves, cellular phones, and other electronic devices). Relax and exercise regularly — tai chi chuan, qi gong, or yoga. Maintain a positive outlook on life. Avoid alcohol and tobacco in any form. Avoid stress and anxiety — they suppress the immune system, slow metabolic processes, and foster cancer development. Avoid tight bras that cut off lymphatic flow, obstruct toxin elimination, and increase risk of tumor growth. Sleep by 10:00 p.m. — in TCM, 11:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. is when yin shifts to yang; the body must be at rest during this time for optimal health.

Related Reading

Also see: Cordyceps 3 – to enhance immune system and increase WBC count | Immune+ – to boost immune system | Polygonum 14 – for hair loss from chemotherapy or radiation | GI Tonic – for loose stools from Spleen deficiency | Herbal ANG – for pain due to cancer | Schisandra ZZZ – to increase red blood cell count | Nourish (Fluids) – for dry skin | Corydalin (AC) – for acute headache | Corydalin (CR) – for chronic headache | Immune & Oncology Support Collection.