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"Gynostemma Tablets was designed on the basis of modern Chinese methods of complementing Western medical interventions for cancer. The lead herb, gynostemma, was added to the usual Chinese regimen (which typically relies on astragalus and oldenlandia) because it contains a large amount of the same active constituents as in ginseng, but has also been used as a central part of an herb therapy for countering chemotherapy side-effects. Astragalus and atractylodes, like gynostemma, bolster the qi and, thereby, protect the immune system from the damaging effects of chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery. Oldenlandia is one of the most commonly used anti-cancer herbs prescribed in China and is often included in Fuzheng therapy (rectifying normal qi). The other herbs are included to promote the production of blood cells; for example, the yang tonics psoralea and cuscuta are commonly used to strengthen bone marrow. Inhibition of not only the white cells, but also the red cells and platelets can occur with chemotherapy and radiation. The herbs are best taken even before the medical therapies begin, to boost up the qi and blood. They should be continued for a minimum of 4-6 weeks after the intensive medical therapies have been concluded. This formula is produced as a concentrated extract and then tableted, so that a dose of 14-15 tablets per day will provide the equivalent of a decoction made from about 80-90 grams of crude herb. Immune enhancing polysaccharides can be added to the treatment by including Coricepium (White Tiger) and additional gynostemma is obtained by adding Genistemma (White Tiger)." |
