Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang – Fighting Mast Cell Tumors and supporting the lungs against cancer
Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang, otherwise known as Drive out Stasis in the Mansion of Blood Decoction, has a beautiful red color from the wonderful Hong Hua or safflower flowers it contains. This is the last of my top five cancer formulas and a very special one at that. Where Hoxsey is somewhat toxic and cooling, Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang is warming and nourishing. At the same time it is a quite strong cancer fighter.
The number one place I use this formula is for dogs with mast cell cancer. This is a cancer that often arises if there is impaired blood flow to the skin. Without good blood flow the immune system can not find and destroy the cancer cells that arise. Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang helps promote blood flow to the skin so the immune system can reach mast cell cancer. In my experience this formula helps to reduce tumor size, occasionally shrink the small tumors completely and prevent formulation of new mast cell tumors. These dogs are often prone to reoccurrence, not necessarily because tumors spread, but because the underlying disease process still exists.
I also will use this formula topically mixed with a little DMSO Gel 
This is a formula that I use in any of the dogs and cats I treat with lung metastasis. It has an amazing ability to move blood away from tumors in the chest and out to the periphery of the body. This starves tumor cells in the lungs.
In addition it is good against any intra-thoracic tumor, thyroid adenocarcinomas, and salivary tumors. It can also be effective against some of the blood borne cancers like leukemia and myeloma.
This formula has been shown to increase immunity, kill cancer cells and enhance the effects of radiation therapy. It has strong anti-oxidant effects and helps to support the body and immune system in its fight against cancer.
It is a combination of the following herbs
- Tao Ren (peach seed)
- Dang Gui (angelica root)
- Hong Hua (safflower flowers)
- Chuan Niu Xi (cyathula root)
- Sheng Di Huang (Rehmannia)
- Chi Shao (red peony root)
- Zhi Ke (bitter orange)
- Chuan Xiong (lovage root)
- Jie Geng (platycodon root)
- Chai Hu (bupleurum root)
- Gan Cao (licorice root)
I usually add San Leng (scirpus rhizome) and E Zhu (turmeric) to this formula to enhance its effect against cancer. Studies done on these two herbs show that they have a significant effect in inducing apoptosis (cell death) in cancer cells.
The main effects of this formula involves taking blood away from tumor cells and moving it to the parts of the body which need it. However Chai Hu has direct effects in killing cancer cells as discussed in the article about Xiao Chai Hu Tang. Tao Ren contains the same bound form of cyanide found in apricot seeds, which has a strong effect on cancer cells but spares normal cells.
In addition to cancer I also use this formula for many forms of heart disease, hacking coughs, bronchitis, dry skin and itching, fear, and back pain.
This formula works best for tumors that are considered blood stasis in Chinese medicine and better for tumors in the cranial third of the body. There are slight modifications made to this formula for internal tumors in the middle and caudal body. See Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang and Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang.
If I use ground herbs, I usually dose this formula at 1/8 teaspoon twice a day for small dogs, ¼ teaspoon twice a day for dogs up to 30lb, ½ teaspoon twice a day for dogs up to 70lb and 1 teaspoon twice a day for dogs over 70 lbs. I will occasionally dose it just in the morning if I am giving Xiao Chai Hu Tang in the evening.
If using a tincture I dose it at 0.2ml per 5lb once or twice a day.
I sell powdered Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang with the added San Leng and E Zhu through my etsy store Kingdom of Basil.
If you want to buy the base formula, the teapill form is sold on Amazon.com.
Stasis In The Mansion Of Blood Teapills (Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang Wan)
To use tea pills I dose cats and very small dogs at two pills twice a day, medium sized dogs at 4-5 pills twice a day and large dogs at 8 pills twice a day.
Please check with you animal’s primary vet before using this formula.
Return to Integrative and Holistic Methods for Treating Cancer in Cats and Dogs
Tags: cancer, cat, dog, health, xhu fu zhu yu tang
August 23rd, 2011 at 8:05 pm
I wish you were closer to us as recently I had both of my dogs diagnosed with cancer. One with a mass in the lung and on the spleen, and one in the lung. We’ve had them since they were 3 months, now 11 and 12 years old.
I have started them on omega 3 (900mg), DHA (253mg), EPA (647mg) all twice a day, yunnan baiyo twice a day, a probiotic once a day, and just started artemisinin (100 mg twice a day) and 2000mg sulforaphane once a day today.
Unfortunately, we are in Oklahoma and I have no access to any Chinese herbs and essentially no hollestic support. I know you mix these formula for use with you animals but do you sell them as well?
August 24th, 2011 at 7:42 am
Hi Robert,
I’m so sorry about your dogs. That is so hard to have them both come down with cancer at the same time.
There should be a link in this article that leads to Amazon.com where you can buy XFZYT in teapill form. Most of the herbal articles I have written have a link to where herbs are available. You should be able to find most things online. So far unfortunately I am not set up to sell herbs to anyone but my clients and other vets.
best wishes,
Lena
October 11th, 2011 at 3:25 am
Hi Lena
I have just stumbled upon your site, maybe at the right time.
My lovely Dalmation Pietra has two small metastasis in her lungs. They have been unchanged for nearly two months (yay) but one seems to have just gotten slightly bigger.
I am treating her with K9 Immunity with Transfer Factors and Maritime Pine Bark. As well as a home cooked diet and vitamins.
She had renal cancer and is one kidney and some of her pancreas down – but is now recovered and looking healthier than ever!
My question is about treating the metastasis: I see your three suggestions; xiao chai hu tang, san she dan chuan bei ye, xue fu zhu yu tang, are all recommended – but what about combining them?
I am very fortunate to be living in Beijing with a TCM clinic two minutes away, so I am hoping that they will have your ingredients.
‘Looking forward to your reply,
Jennifer.
October 11th, 2011 at 8:08 am
Hi Jennifer,
I almost always use all three when I am dealing with lung mets. They are all fairly safe herbals that work well together. Good luck with treatment. It sounds like you are in a great part of the world for finding the right herbals. I hope Pietra continues to do well. My own little dog Mel lost a kidney to cancer when he was 13 and went on to live two more years.
best wishes,
Lena
October 12th, 2011 at 7:40 am
From Jennifer via email -Thanks Lena!
May I ask a question about dosage? I have an over the counter formula of Xuefu Zhu Yu Jiaonang that recommends two 400g capsule twice a day for humans. My dog is a Dalmation who weighs 42 lbs.
The herbalist said it is a great formula for lung metastasis.
He was a bit confused though about using them with the other two formulas that you suggested – any ideas?
Thanks so much in advance – I look forward to keeping in touch,
Jennifer.
October 12th, 2011 at 7:42 am
Hi Jennifer,
If I was treating Pietra I would go with one capsule twice a day. The herbalists in the International District in Seattle always look at my clients funny when they say they are using Sanshedan ChuanBeiye for lung mets yet I have used it for years and seen it work well and so had my acupuncture teacher. Xiao Chai Hu Tang I have also seen work wonders for lung met dogs although I haven’t worked with it as long as the SanSheDan. In Lou it was the main herbal that turned him around when he started to crash http://pathwithpaws.com/blog/2011/04/06/prognoses-are-only-as-good-as-the-paper-they-are-printed-on-lous-story/. And he is still here and happy over a year and a half later.
Hope this helps
-Lena
October 12th, 2011 at 5:19 pm
Thanks Lena – actually, the dosage for humans is 3 tables twice a day (my mistake). Pietra is 19.1kg – shall I stick with one or increase a little?
I will head back to the doc to see about the SanSheDan. My friend is also seeking out the extras that you add to the formula.
– will keep you posted,
thanks, Jennifer.
October 13th, 2011 at 7:19 am
It’s a very safe formula so I would start with one twice a day and see how she does on that and then consider going up to 2 in the morning and 1 in the evening.
October 16th, 2011 at 3:03 am
Great!
Also – Do you know if Xuefu Zhuyu Jiaonang is the same as Xuefu Zhuyu Tang? or what the difference is?
thanks,
Jennifer
October 16th, 2011 at 8:10 am
Hi Jennifer,
I hadn’t heard the name Xue Fu Xhu Yu Jiaonang before and it is not in my herbal formula book but it appears to be the same as XFZYT (throught looking up the ingredients online). Make sure the ingredients are all there.
-Lena
November 17th, 2011 at 4:01 pm
Hello Dr. McCullough;
Your website has given me some hope for my cat, Cutie, who was just diagnosed with metastatic lung cancer which has metastasized from her lung to her back left paw. I am devastated.
I am wondering which chinese formula would be the best to give her since I am afraid to give her too many things that will cause her stress. Currently, she is getting an injectable immune booster (Lymphocyte T-cell immuno-modulator by T-cyte Therapeutics, ES-Clear (Essiac formula), and activated hexose correlated compound with her food for further immune support. I am now wondering if one of the Chinese formulas you recommend for lung cancer would also benefit her. What would you recommend given what she is currently receiving? I would greatly appreciate your advice. A holistic vet in town says he does not use Sanshedan ChuanBeiYe for lung cancer but does use Xhu Fu Zhu Yu Tang.
Please advise me on what you would use and if there is any where i can get tinctures for the formulas you recommend.
Ayse
November 17th, 2011 at 4:58 pm
Hi Ayse,
Usually I will use Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang as my primary formula for lung cancer in cats. Often with Xiao Chai Hu Tang and sometimes with Sanshedan. My own cat Basil who had primary lung cancer was on Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang in the morning and Xiao Chai Hu Tang in the evening. I felt like that was enough for him and did manage to control the cancer in his lungs with it. I am not sure where to buy tinctures but you may want to ask your holistic vet if he has access to them. You may also want to check with a Chinese pharmacy if there is one in your city. Many cats also tolerate the tea pills linked to in this article as they are very small, so that may be something to try. I hope Cutie does well with the treatment you decide on.
best wishes,
Lena
November 21st, 2011 at 7:39 am
Hello Lena! Just a quick update – It is now three months post surgery and Pietra is doing great. One metastasis has grown a few millimeters, but very slowly. I am thinking of upping the dosage as you suggested and will go tomorrow to add the third remedy to her daily routine. She is full of energy, alert and always wanting to run and play – let’s hope those nasty metastasis are kept at bay.
Jennifer.
P.S. I asked the vet how long did they expect Pietra to live after the surgery – 3 months.
PPS – Tang means liquid formula/tea while Jiaonang means capsule.
November 21st, 2011 at 11:05 am
That is great Jennifer! I hope she continues to do well. I knew the tang but not the jiaonang:-)
best wishes,
lena
December 10th, 2011 at 7:00 pm
Good afternoon, I have just come across your amazing website. I have a male dog who has been recently diagnosed with primary rib cancer, secondary cancer in a small wrist bone in left front leg and multiple lung mets. I am very very keen to assist him holistically as i am a holistic counsellor myself and often look at TCM myself. Can you assist me in any way with what you think could be best for him. I was given ‘a month’ by the oncologist thursday week ago which means if they are right i may only have him a few weeks and they could be wrong. I am looking for a practitioner near me in Melbourne where i may be able to buy these herbs from but any recommendations you can offer re which ones, dosage etc would be very welcomed. Thank you Dawn Wilson Melbourne
December 11th, 2011 at 8:58 am
Hi Dawn,
I would see if you can find a veterinary acupuncturist to work. Here is the best tool for that http://www.ivas.org/Members/VetSearch/tabid/124/Default.aspx. Also if you haven’t you can read through some of the article I have one here is the link to the book I am writing http://pathwithpaws.com/blog/2011/03/13/integrative-and-holistic-approaches-to-cancer-the-beginning-of-a-project/ . The articles on lung mets and bone cancer (osteosarcoma) may be particularly helpful. best wishes,
Lena
December 11th, 2011 at 10:26 am
Hi Dawn,
I also just put up this article which might be helpful.
http://pathwithpaws.com/blog/2011/12/11/how-to-find-a-good-holistic-vet-to-work-with/