Ruan Jin Zhao
Abstract: Shen Xiang Wen Tong Therapy (Spirit Fragrant Warming and Opening Therapy), also known as Shen Xiang Therapy, is a combination of treatment methods for cancer patients. It involves acupuncture on specific spirit-related points, herbal medicines to open orifices and strengthen the spirit, and methods to improve the quality of the extracellular matrix and signal transduction pathways. This therapy aims to restore the immune system by improving the function of internal organs and altering the tumor environment. Shen Xiang therapy is grounded in both Traditional Chinese Medicine and modern medical science and has shown effectiveness in clinical practice. It can reduce the side effects of chemotherapy, radiation, targeting and immunotherapy, providing a better platform for these rough treatments. Clinical practice confirms it is an effective and practical systematic therapy for cancer patients.
Keywords: Shen Xiang Therapy, Acupuncture, Aromatic Herbs, Open Orifices, Arouse the Spirit, Cancer
In the face of advancements in modern medical technology, clinical oncology has progressed significantly, leaving less room for Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in this field. However, TCM has unique advantages in treating cancers, with an efficacy that is not replicable by modern medicine. It can also complement the limitations of modern medical oncology(1) and, in some cases, treat cancer patients without other therapies(2).
TCM has significant experience and potential in the treatment of cancer, however, TCM is currently marginalized in modern clinical oncology due to its lack of a systematic theory and comprehensive framework for treating cancer. Impediments to this systemization are: The accumulated clinical experience and herbal formulas have not been thoroughly studied or vetted. The immediate clinical outcomes are not readily observable, and the replicability rate is low. TCM theories of oncology appear to lag when compared to the advancements of modern medical science.
Tumors or cancer result from systemic disorders. These can arise from genetic mutations(3), imbalances in the immune system(4), metabolic disorders(5), or errors in molecular signal transduction, among other factors. Addressing such complex systems requires a comprehensive approach. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) takes a holistic view, aiming to treat the underlying causes by addressing the entire system and targeting multiple lesions simultaneously. This is one of the basic underlying approaches TCM uses to manage health issues.
A broken complex system cannot be fixed by replacing a screw or cleaning an oil tube. Each effort may help mitigate symptoms, but the system often needs to be restarted or reset at a more fundamental level. The human body is a complex system. Considering that Traditional Chinese Medicine has a unique complex systems approach to health it can be a most economical and effective model for dealing with cancer.
Due to a lack of a comprehensive perspective, clinical oncology often involves continuous chemotherapy treatments for patients, which poses challenges for both the patients and doctors. When chemotherapy is stopped, cancer markers tend to rise. Determining the appropriate amount of chemotherapy to administer is a complex issue without a clear answer. Oncologists often continue chemotherapy until the patient is referred to hospice care. At this stage, patients may suffer from severe side effects such as cardiomyopathy and liver or renal function failure caused by the chemotherapy drugs rather than the cancer itself.
Some patients have decided to discontinue chemotherapy after realizing it may not improve their survival prospects, opting instead for a better quality of life. Making this decision can be difficult for both patients and their families. Modern medical standards often suggest that life is not possible without chemotherapy. However, clinical evidence shows that some patients have managed to coexist with cancer and maintain a good quality of life for a significant period using Shen Xiang therapy.
Cancer growth in the human body is not solely due to the toughness or strength of cancer cells. Often it is the result of an imbalance within the body’s complex system, which creates a conducive environment for these cells. Therefore, focusing exclusively on attacking or targeting tumors and cancer cells is a strategic oversight.
The appropriate therapy should focus on rebalancing the large biological system and fundamentally altering the tumor growth environment. This includes modifying and enhancing factors that influence genome transcription, phenotypes, and epigenetic processes such as methylation, acetylation, and phosphorylation. The goal is to target and eliminate cancer cells while minimizing damage to vital organs and tissues.
Shen Xiang Therapy focuses on systematic correction of the entire human body or repairing multiple parts within its complex network. It extracts essential principles of TCM cancer treatment from previously unformalized classical medical documents and clinical data.
Theoretical Foundation and Clinical Expertise
Shen Xiang therapy integrates acupuncture and herbal medicine. The central treatment principles are to cultivate the heart qi, strengthen the heart yang and blood, open orifices and arouse the mind/spirit, warm yang qi of the body, and to dredge the channels. Where acupuncture works at a faster pace, herbal medicine functions to consolidate and supplement, the two modalities augment one another, combining biophysical stimulation and natural pharmaceutical approaches.
TCM sees the heart as the emperor of the body, who governs and manages the other organs. It is called the “emperor organ”, which directly governs the ying and wei qi. Ying qi indicates the blood and nutrients for nourishing the organs and tissues. Wei qi represents our immune system for protecting the body from outside invaders and supervising activity of the organs and cells. The Nei Jing says: “All Pain, Itching and Carbuncle (Boils and lump) pertain to the heart.” The terms “carbuncles and boils” can be interpreted to include cancers. This is a comprehensive summarization at the general pathology level. All these diseases relate to the heart, especially the onset of cancer.
Editor’s note: conceptually many cancers are framed as “corruption” or “toxic heat”, and the terms “boils and carbuncles” (Ju and Yong type lesions) here represent skin lesions of yin or yang varieties, which were based on their presentation, hot or cold, firm or soft, etc. Many cancer treatments from traditional sources are for skin lesions, or cancers which are palpable through the skin, like breast cancer, which are framed similarly.
The heart governs the blood and vascular system. The quality, quantity, and circulation of the blood are controlled by the heart. The blood circulation and elasticity of the vessels are also an aspect of the heart. From the modern medical science perspective, it has been shown that patients with idiopathic blood clotting have a higher risk of developing cancer(6), and patients with insufficient heart function have a much higher rate of cancer. Disorders that contribute to this include: congestive heart failure(7)， heart valve malfunction disorders(8), and atrial fibrillation(9). People with “broken heart”/Takotsubo syndrome have a very high incidence of developing cancer(10,11). The heart has a close relationship with immune function, and a healthy heart makes the macrophages more active(12).
Research has shown that the heart can excrete cardiac peptides, four of which possess strong anticancer functions(13). There will be a more detailed mechanism disclosed following further study about the heart— mind/spirit — neurological—immune systems. Boosting and brightening the mind/spirit through supplementing the heart and restoring diminished immune function is the key to curing cancer.
From a modern Chinese medical point of view, exogenous cold can cause contraction, congestion, and stagnation, which leads to qi stagnation. In the above quotes “fluid” outside of the intestine can be taken to indicate the extracellular matrix (ECM)(15). Tissue fluid circulation plays a substantial role in the normal physiological condition. When the tissue fluids or ECM is blocked, then phlegm is formed, and masses appear. This is the original theory of TCM oncogenesis. For the pathology of congested tissue fluid caused by cold, the correct therapeutic principle is to warm and open the yang qi, eliminate the pathogenic cold, and transform phlegm to speed up ECM, to break up the splitting situation which separates the general immunity and tumor associate immunity. To unify the whole immunity and let the immune cells migrate into the local tumor environment and to reset the soil for no cancer growth.
Cancer patients may survive blood clots. But most refractory cancer patients die of congestive heart failure, water overflows upwards and edema goes up from the ankle to the waist, extinguishing the heart yang. So, to protect heart qi, warming the heart Yang will be the most appropriate principle to prevent and treat cancer.
Shen Xiang therapy can cultivate heart qi, strengthen heart yang, and arouse the mind/spirit. The goal is to restore the capability of the heart to govern the ying and wei, to aid the circulation of qi and blood. The molecular signal transduction is warranted. The principle of warming and opening combining acupuncture and herbal medicine may unblock the ion channels, modify the ECM, and in which chemokines, immune cytokines, and antibody molecules to lead the body to homeostasis allowing for a spontaneous healing mode, where the repair gene can be activated. From the stimulation of mechanosensory and chemical sensors providing feedback for the up or downregulation of genes, the Cancer cells have no place to survive and no place to escape or hide. Oncologists do not need to chase the cancer cell anymore.
Clinical Practice
How can one strengthen the heart? What methods can be used to open orifices and awaken the spirit? How should therapy choices be made at different stages? What approaches can alter the ECM, its physical condition, and its chemical components? These are the objectives of Shen Xiang therapy.
Acupuncture can effectively arouse the spirit and calm the mind quickly. Its role in clinical oncology was previously unrecognized. Choosing acupoints that affect the spirit and are located in the heart channel is straightforward.
The challenge lies in using acupuncture needles to deliver signals to acupoints with precise manipulation. The objective of needle manipulation is to generate physical signals, such as micro-current induction and low-frequency vibrations, to achieve resonance. Ensuring that acupuncture stimulation is amplified to program the correct signal into the body can lead to spontaneous healing and potentially activate repair genes. This biological reaction can enhance heart energy and strengthen the patient’s spirit and mind.
Using the eight influential points (八會穴) ensures strong qi, abundant blood, smooth pulse, efficient viscera, toxin-expelling bowel, sturdy bones, flexible tendons, and ample bone marrow. Even if cancer is present, these components can help maintain a normal life. It’s like managing a country by ensuring peace and readiness to rebuild after disasters.
For the selection of herbal medicine, two groups of herbs are essential. The first group includes herbs that enhance heart energy, such as Gui Zhi Gan Cao Decoction and Zhen Wu Decoction, which also help to warm Yang qi. The second group comprises aromatic herbs that stimulate the senses and awaken the mind, such as She Xiang/deer musk, An Xi Xiang/benzoin, Long Nao Xiang/camphor, Ding Xiang/clove, and Mi Die Xiang/rosemary. These herbs additionally aid in transforming turbid dampness, unblocking stagnation, and soothing congested meridians.
There are numerous well-known and often used herbal formulas for treating tumors and cancer. Among these, several aromatic herbal medicines are included, such as Pian Zai Huang, An Gong Niu Huang Wan, and the formula for women’s tumors, Hua Zheng Hui Sheng Dan(16), documented in the renowned medical classic Wen Bing Tiao Bian by Wu Ju Tong. Additionally, the modern foundational herbal formula for cancer, She Nong Wan(17), was developed by the esteemed Dr. Han Qing Li. These examples provide substantial support for Shen Xiang Therapy.
Cancer patients are recommended to receive acupuncture treatment once per week, particularly during chemotherapy and radiation treatment. If available, moxibustion and broad-spectrum bio-frequency magnetic lamps can be added to help relieve congestion. The dosage of herbal medicine should start low to prevent irritation to the patient’s gastrointestinal system and can be gradually increased. It is generally advised to strengthen stomach qi and integrate acupuncture with herbal medicine in clinical practice.
Efficacy of Shen Xiang Therapy
Evaluating the true value of a new therapy or medication requires evidence-based medicine and strict standards. This task is particularly challenging for clinicians, especially with cancer patients. Using an unapproved therapy might delay appropriate treatment, risking the patient’s recovery. Clinicians must treat cancer patients with care and objectivity, using the best available therapies.
Since 2004, Shen Xiang Therapy has been applied to all cancer patients enrolled in my clinic. By May 2024, a total of 3,520 cancer patients have enrolled in this therapy. This group includes patients with various types of cancer such as breast cancer, lung cancer, liver cancer, gall bladder ductal carcinoma, pancreatic cancer, esophageal cancer, stomach cancer, colon cancer, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, leukemia, brain cancer (glioblastoma), kidney cancer, bladder cancer, melanoma, endometrial carcinoma, ovarian cancer, and prostate cancer, covering approximately twenty different types of cancer. About ninety percent of the patients were in the late stage of cancer, with early-stage patients making up around five percent. One percent were already sent to hospice. Ninety-five percent had undergone chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and immunotherapy. All patients attended Shen Xiang therapy with their oncologist’s recommendation or permission.
Firstly, 100% of the patients experienced an improvement in discomfort, including anxiety, depression, and insomnia. Fatigue and lack of energy improved significantly. Appetite increased, and GI symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation were reduced. The reduction in fatigue was particularly notable. This result surpasses other therapies.
The enhancement of the patient’s tolerance for chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy provides a solid foundation for completing the entire treatment plan, minimizing damage to peripheral nerves, and a significant improvement to their quality of life.
With the use of this treatment late-stage cancer patients have a longer survival time. Over twenty years, among 3520 cancer patients, 123 patients died from cancer. Several oncologists recommend Shen Xiang Therapy, suggesting it may help reduce mortality.
After patients pass away, their family members often bring flowers to express gratitude. Although I feel sorrow for not saving their loved ones, they tell me how much our treatments helped. Every session made the patients relaxed, and happier, and reduced their suffering significantly, allowing them to live longer than expected. These comments, though anecdotal, highlight the therapy’s impact. More detailed clinical data may be published in the future.
Conclusion
Shen Xiang therapy strengthens the heart qi to arouse the spirit, restoring the heart’s governance of ying and wei qi. with the goal of rejuvenating the immune system. This leads to a more balanced state where the heart and kidneys nourish each other, maintaining a harmony between yin and yang.
When the organs and channels are coordinated and without stagnation the liver qi flows smoothly, distributing things evenly throughout the body, the spleen qi rises while stomach qi descends, and the lung qi disperses and descends freely with the support of strong kidney qi. This results in a better and more healthy homeostasis body.
Cancer does not result from a single gene mutation but involves multiple disrupted molecular pathways, therefore, targeting just one or two genes is generally not an effective treatment strategy. The final cure may eventually be attained by resetting the microenvironment and reestablishing the complex system of physiology through a multivalent approach, referred to as Shen Xiang therapy.
About the author：
Zhao Ruanjin, Doctor of Medicine, is a licensed acupuncturist in the United States. He is currently the director of the Sarasota Traditional Chinese Medicine Center in the United States and a visiting researcher at the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center in the United States. He is the second batch of clinical experts at the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine and an overseas professor at the Henan University of Chinese Medicine. In terms of academics, he has written the English version of “From Legend to Science” and published many papers.
