Colorful Atlas of Anti-cancer Chinese Herbs

Author: Li Junde, Editor-in-Chief
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 1996-05-01
Features: Cancer is one of the four major diseases (cancer, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, viral diseases, and immune diseases). It is a serious illness that threatens people's health and lives. Each year, cancer accounts for 25% of death rates. The fear of cancer is not only a psychological state of the general public but also a severe ideological obstacle for many medical and pharmaceutical workers in their fight against cancer. The three "knives" of cancer treatment—surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy—remain important methods for treating cancer. Currently, seeking and exploring effective methods and medications for cancer treatment through various means is an urgent priority. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), one of China's national treasures, has a long history. It has made significant contributions to the prosperity and continuity of the Chinese nation and the development of world medicine. According to the principles of TCM such as reinforcing the healthy and expelling the pathogenic, invigorating blood circulation to remove blood stasis, and clearing heat and detoxifying, some effective anticancer Chinese medicinal herbs have been discovered and selected, such as Catharanthus, Cephalotaxus, Cantharidin, Bufalin, and Lindernia. Through extensive clinical practice and experimental research, substantial progress has been made in plant and animal resources, pharmacology, pharmacodynamics, clinical applications, and the production of pharmaceutical preparations. These developments have achieved relatively satisfactory therapeutic effects in the prevention and treatment of certain types of cancer. These effective Chinese medicinal herbs can alleviate symptoms in cancer patients, prolong their lives, and even cure some patients. Many of these herbs have the characteristic of both attacking and tonifying, capable of killing tumor cells, inhibiting their growth and spread, while also enhancing the body's immune function. This has greatly encouraged scientists and medical workers engaged in cancer research and treatment, and has attracted worldwide attention. For this purpose, based on a nationwide survey of Chinese medicinal resources over the past decade, we have collected and photographed a large number of specimens and color photographs of Chinese medicinal herbs, gathered relevant domestic and international information on anticancer herbs, and referenced ancient and modern literature to compile this "Color Atlas of Anticancer Chinese Medicinal Herbs." This book is China's first color atlas of anticancer Chinese medicinal herbs arranged by disease categories, rich in illustrations and practical in use. It serves as a reference for TCM education, research, and production, as well as a tool for medical and rehabilitation workers, cancer patients, and enthusiasts of TCM to identify anticancer herbs.