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Henry McGrath Dip.Ac Dip.TCM ND MTh

Bristol based – Worldwide web consultations
Acupuncture – Chinese Herbal Medicine – Naturopathy

Research on Chinese Medicine and Cancer

26th February 2010

Yi Yi Ren: top treatment for cancer

The Chinese herb “yi yi ren”, also known as “Jobs Tears” (in Latin Coix Lachrima Jobi), a Chinese relative of Maize, has been used in China for hundreds of years in the treatment of cancer. A recent survey showed that it had been taken by over 270,000 patients in around 2000 hospitals in China, in the treatment of carcinomas in the lung, liver, stomach and breast.

The herb has now been developed into a drug called “Kanglaite”, which is China’s best selling cancer treatment. Kanglaite has now been approved by the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Phase 2 trials in the USA.

Yi yi ren is only one of many herbs used in Fishponds Clinic in the treatment of cancer.

(Data source: Institute of Science in Society: www.i-sis.co.uk)

Acupuncture Relieves hot flushes and night sweats in women taking Tamoxifen

Over 2 million women in Britain take Tamoxifen on a daily basis, as an adjuvant treatment for breast cancer. Unfortunately, it commonly causes side effects of severe hot flushes and night sweats.

A trial was set up at Mount Vernon Hospital, involving 52 women who were undergoing treatment for primary breast cancer. The patients were given 8 sessions of traditional acupuncture, mostly on a weekly basis.

89% of women reported an improvement in their symptoms. The mean reduction in the number of flushes was 42.4%. The women also reported improvements in their emotional and physical well – being.

The trial holders are seeking further funding to undertake a larger scale project.

At Fishponds Clinic, acupuncture and herbs are used alongside chemo- and radio- therapy, to treat side effects such as nausea, insomnia, headaches and digestive problems.