Efficacy of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Xerostomia and Quality of Life during Radiotherapy for Head and Neck Cancer: A Prospective Pilot Study

Table 1

Recommended TCM treatments.

Symptom	Prescription	Example doses	Remarks
Mucositis	Zeng Ye Decoction		Gargle
Pharyngitis	Qing Yan Li Ge Tang	1 to 2 g TID
Dry mouth	Gan Lu Yin	2 to 4 g TID
Fatigue	Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang	2 to 3 g TID
Poor appetite	Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang	2 to 3 g TID
Dermatitis	Angelica Aloe vera gel		Topical use
Emotional depression	Jia Wei Xia Yao San	2 to 3 g TID
Insomnia	Suan Zao Ren Tang	3 to 4 g HS

TCM, traditional Chinese medicine.
Except for Zeng Ye Decoction and Angelica Aloe vera gel, all the other oral Chinese medicines are concentrated extract powders that are made by the Sun Ten, Sheng Chang, Chuang Song Zong, and Ko Da pharmaceutical companies in Taiwan. The powder is generally given 3 times a day after meals and/or before sleep.
Zeng Ye Decoction is made from herbal extracts of Rehmannia glutinosa, Scrophularia ningpoensis, and Ophiopogon japonicus to form liquid preparation for gargling.
Angelica aloe vera gel is made by the Formosa Biomedical Technology Corporation in Taiwan. The gel is usually applied topically 2 or 3 times a day.