How to use herbs in different periods of chemotherapy?

  Generally speaking, different periods of chemotherapy for malignancy/leukemia can be combined with herbal medicine, but the legislative use of herbal medicine used is different.  In the pre-chemotherapy period, the role of herbal medicine focuses on improving the sensitivity of chemotherapeutic drugs and preventing drug resistance; and improving the general condition of patients to allow them to receive chemotherapy by targeting the symptoms they have. For example, in the pre-chemotherapy phase of acute leukemia, herbs can be used for anemia, fever, bleeding, and extramedullary infiltration.  During the chemotherapy period, the role of Chinese medicine focuses on preventing and controlling side effects, especially – gastrointestinal adverse reactions, liver function damage. It allows patients to persevere through the whole chemotherapy course.  In the later stage of chemotherapy, the role of Chinese medicine focuses on reducing bone marrow suppression, reducing kidney function damage. Protect normal cells so that the blood picture does not fall too low or recover as soon as possible without affecting the next course of chemotherapy.  However, specific to each patient, it is necessary to identify and individualize the treatment. During the chemotherapy period, Chinese medicine only plays an auxiliary role. At this stage, Chinese medicine cannot completely replace chemotherapy.