Leukemic Crisisaccording to TCM
What is Leukemic Crisis?
A leukemic crisis represents a severe and acute exacerbation of leukemia, a type of cancer affecting the blood and bone marrow, characterized by the rapid increase of immature white blood cells. This critical condition often leads to life-threatening complications, such as overwhelming infections, severe bleeding, and organ failure. Leukemic crisis is a pivotal moment in the disease's progression, signaling a phase where immediate and aggressive treatment becomes crucial to manage symptoms and improve survival rates.
How Does TCM View Leukemic Crisis?
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the concept of a pattern is fundamental to understanding and treating illnesses. A pattern describes a constellation of symptoms and signs that reflect an underlying imbalance in the body's energies.
Identifying this pattern is crucial because it guides the practitioner to the most effective, individualized treatment strategy. Rather than merely treating symptoms, knowing the specific pattern allows for addressing the root cause of the condition, aiming for a more holistic and sustainable recovery.
Causes of Leukemic Crisis According to TCM
The causes of leukemic crisis, according to TCM, are multifaceted, involving a complex interplay of factors that lead to the critical imbalance of Heat in the Pericardium. This condition is characterized by an Deficiency of Heart Yin, the cooling protective fluids.
The damaging result can manifest in symptoms akin to those seen in leukemic crisis, such as fever, inflammation, and emotional disturbances. TCM views these patterns not just as symptoms but as signals of deeper disharmony that must be addressed to restore health and equilibrium.
TCM Herbal Formulas for Leukemic Crisis
In responding to leukemic crisis, particularly when Heat in the Pericardium is identified, TCM advocates for a targeted therapeutic approach. The use of Qing Gong Tang, with its key herb Ningpo Figwort Roots (Xuan Shen), exemplifies this strategy. This formula is chosen for its cooling properties, capable of directly addressing the overheated Pericardium and nourishing the Heart Yin.
By cooling the Blood and clearing Heat, it aims to reverse the conditions conducive to a crisis state. Such treatments underscore TCM's holistic approach, focusing on rebalancing internal energies to combat disease at its roots, offering a complementary path to wellness alongside conventional medicine.
See more details below about Qing Gong Tang, a herbal formula used to address leukemic crisis.
- By Formula Type
- Formulas that clear nutritive-level heat
Formulas that clear nutritive-level Heat
Leukemic crisis can be treated by these formulas if it arises from heat trapped at the nutritive level of the body, affecting deeper tissues.
One such formula is Qing Gong Tang, with ningpo figwort root as a key herb.
TCM Herbs for Leukemic Crisis
Explore below some TCM herbs used to address leukemic crisis, organized by herb category.
- By Herb Category
- Herbs that cool the blood
Herbs that cool the Blood
Leukemic crisis can be treated by these herbs when it is a consequence of excess heat in the blood, helping to cool and detoxify the blood.
One such herb is Ningpo Figwort Roots (Xuan Shen), a key herb in some formulas recommended for leukemic crisis, like Qing Gong Tang.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Herbs that cool the Blood" recommended for leukemic crisis
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Ningpo Figwort Roots (Xuan Shen) | Qing Gong Tang |
| Water Buffalo Horns (Shui Niu Jiao) | Qing Gong Tang |