Radiotherapy works by damaging the structure of cancer cells, disabling them from reproducing and growing so as to make the cancer cells die and the tumor shrink. Applications may vary on the basis of the cancer type, cancer stage and the goal of treatment. Although the high-energy radioactive beams target specific areas of the body, many patients experience discomfort. Usually, patients do not feel anything during radiation treatment; the side effects build up over time and are typically limited to the targeted area. The general TCM approaches in radiotherapy In TCM understanding, radiation is a kind of toxic fire or toxic heat-evil ; they exhaust the qi (vital energy) and body fluids, disturb the blood and qi production in the spleen and the stomach, and damage the liver and the kidneys. TCM has the following approaches to treat the side effects of radiotherapy:

• Clearing heat and toxins to prevent inflammatory reactions.
• Nourishing yin to promote body fluid production and relieve dryness symptoms.
• Replenishing qi and blood to relieve fever conditions and the associated symptoms like fatigue, palpitation and dizziness.
• Fortifying liver and kidneys to relieve general weakness, fatigue, depression, low blood counts, palpitation and breath shortness.
• Invigorating spleen and harmonizing stomach to relieve digestive problems such as nausea, vomiting, poor appetite and diarrhea.

Epimedium

Glossy privet fruit

Pilose antler

Chinese herbs to enhance radiation efficacy Before radiation treatment, physicians may use certain herbs to stimulate the area to be irradiated. The herbs are said to work on the site to relieve the contraction of the blood vessels, improve the micro and lateral circulations, inhibit platelet coagulation and regulate the metabolism of connective tissues, in this way, they make the cancer site more susceptible to the radiation and help optimize treatment. Side effects associated with brain and neural tissues This may involve symptoms like headache, nausea, vomiting and pain. TCM will focus on replenishing the essence and bone marrow, in addition to activating the flow of the meridians. Commonly used herbal ingredients are:

sheng di	Fresh rhemannia root	Radix Rehmanniae
nu zhen zhi	Glossy privet fruit	Fructus Ligustri Lucidi
bu gu zhi	Malaytea scurfpea fruit	Fructus Psoraleae
xian ling pi	Epimedium	Herba Epimedii
lu rong	Pilose antler	Cornu Cervi Pantotrichum

Side effects associated with nasal cavities When inflammation occurs leading to symptoms like losing the senses of taste or smell, dizziness, running nose and ear ringing, TCM physicians claim that it should remove blockages of the lung openings and clear heat in the lungs. Commonly used herbs are:  

cang er zi	Siberian cocklibur fruit	Fructus Xanthii
xin yi	Biond Magnolia flower	Flos Magnoliae
bai zhi	Dahurian Angelica root	Radix Angelicae Dauhuicae
shi gao	Gypsum	Gypsumn Fibrosum
bo he	Pepper mint	Herba Ephedrae

Siberian cocklibur fruit

Biond Magnolia flower

Dahurian Angelica root

Side effects associated with the neck region When ulcers, blood congestion and edema appear on the lining of mouth, gum and throat, they can affect chewing and swallowing functions. TCM will use herbs for clearing heat, nourishing yin and promoting secretions. Commonly used herbal ingredients are:  

tian hua fen	Snakegourd root	Radix Trichosanthis
nan sha shen	Fourleaf ladybell root	Radix Adenophorae Strictae
mai dong	Dwarf lily-turf	Radix Ophiopogonis
lu gen	Reed rhizome	Rhizoma Phragmitis
wu mei	Smoked plum	Fructus Mume

Side effects associated with the lungs When the patients have chest tightness, fever, breath shortness, coughing with sputum or blood, TCM physicians will aim to clear the lungs and nourish the yin. Commonly used herbal ingredients are:  

nan sha shen	Fourleaf ladybell root	Radix Adenophorae Strictae
xing ren	Almond	Semen Armeniaca
bai he	Lily bulb	Bulbus Lilii
mai dong	Dwarf lily-turf	Radix Ophiopogonis
yuan shen	Figwort root	Radix Scrophulariae

Dwarf lily-turf

Reed rhizome

Dwarf lily-turf

Side effects associated with the esophagus Patients may have difficulty in swallowing, mouth dryness, pain behind the sternum, or chest pain radiating to the back or shoulder. Physicians will aim at clearing heat and toxins, and also removing the stasis. Commonly used herbal ingredients are:  

pu gong ying	Dandelion	Herba Taraxaci
huang qin	Baical skullcap root	Radix Scutellariae
su geng	Perilla stem	Caulis Perillae
shi jian chuan	Chinese sage herb	Herba Salviae Chinensis
san chi	Notoginseng	Radix Notoginseng

Dandelion

Baical skullcap root

Perilla stem

Side effects associated with the intestines When the colon and rectum are affected and there is abdominal pain, diarrhea or blood in the stools, TCM believes that this indicates an accumulation of damp-heat in the region. The therapies will try to clear the damp-heat, cool down the blood, arrest bleeding and stop diarrhea. Commonly used herbal ingredients are:  

di yu	Garden burnet root	Radix Sanguisorbae
huai hua	Pagoda tree flower	Flos Sophorae
bai tou weng	Chinese Pulsatilla root	Radix Pulsatillae
ma chi xian	Purslane herb	Herba Portulacae
wu mei	Smoked plum	Fructus Mume

Chinese Pulsatilla root

Garden burnet root

Pagoda tree flower

Side effects associated with the bladder When the urinary lining is irritated, urinary frequency, pain or bleeding will occur. Physicians will try to clear heat and toxins, cool down the blood, and induce a smooth, pain-free urination. Commonly used herbal ingredients are:  

sheng di	Fresh rhemannia root	Radix Rehmanniae
bai mao gen	Lalang grass rhizome	Rhizoma Imperatae
da ji	Japanese Thistle herb	Herba Cirsii Japonici
xiao ji	Field Thistle herb	Herba Cirsii
mu tong	Akebia stem	Caulis Akebiae

Side effects associated with the skin There are herbal creams to prevent skin reactions like redness, dryness or peeling, but certain herbs added to the prescription can have more beneficial results. Common herbal ingredients are:  

dang gui	Angelica root	Radix Angelicae Sinensis
shou wu	Fleece flower root	Radix Polygoni Mulitflori
shu di	Processed rhemannia rhizome	Rhizoma Rehmanniae Praeparatae
di fu zi	Belvedere fruit	Fructus Kochiae
dan pi	Peony tree root bark	Crotex Moutan Radicis

Peony tree root bark

Angelica root

Red peony root