Where Can Fu Zheng be Purchased?
Answered by: Robert Newman, L.Ac.
Question from: Dottie Lake
Posted on: December 25, 2004

My friend, Richard, recently completed a 6-month chemotherapy program for recurring esophageal cancer (he is a total laryngectomy patient of 1-17-2003 and triple heart bypass patient of 12-17-02), which at the moment, seems to be in remission! We are most grateful for that at this point. However, it appears to have left him with a debilitating case of severe neuropathy. We entertained quite a few known treatments thus far, to include but not limited to the following without concrete success: (we realize that it took time for these toxic chemicals to leave Richard with the neuropathy and also realize that it will take a longggggggggggggg time if and when he should fully recover). He is very much a determined individual who has a loving family to live for. The following are some of the avenues we’ve entertained in our search for a solution to his neuropathy.

- Physical Therapy

- Occupational Therapy - Treating Neuro-Sensory Nerves as well as his complete circulatory system. You see, from the highly toxic chemotherapy drugs that were administered (from January, 2004 thru to and including June 15, 2004)to him, both upper and lower extremities were severely burned (mostly on the lower arms and lower legs). Since June these systems have dissipated, however, the neuropathy has rendered his life a daily challenge in that his gait was severely impaired, as well as using his hands to perform daily ADL’s which became almost impossible for him to negate. During his last Occupational Therapy treatment, the therapist recommended very highly a certified massage therapist, Pingjian Zhao here in Bethlehem, PA.

- Accupressure Therapy has brought Richard some relief within his circulatory system as far as stimulating the return of damaged nerve endings in both upper and lower extremities. It was suggested through the accupressure therapist that we begin trying Chinese herbal treatments ie: Elderberry Solid Extract (which I found on your site) and Fu Zheng Compound (which I am unable to locate and brings me to YOU.) Can you provide me with some direction on where I might find Fu Zheng Compound that contains Astragalus root, Schisandra Berry, Eleuthero root, Codonopsis root, Ligustrum berry, Red and Black Reishi mushroom, Reishi mycelium, Bai-Zhu Atractylodes root and Licorice root. Based on the concepts of Chinese Fu Zheng therapy, this formula strengthens the Chinese kidney, spleen and lung. From a physiological perspective it enhances the immune reservoir and normalizes immune activity. This formula is appropriate as a supportive therapy for immune depletion (cancer, AIDS, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, Tuberculosis, CLL and auto immune diseases (such as Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Chrohn’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, allergies and possibly Allopecia). Apparently, this formula was designed by the Chinese to be used along with chemotherapy to reduce the side effects. Patients undergoing Western or Chinese chemotherapy with FuZheng have shown stable while blood cell counts and reduced nausea. FuZheng Compound helps to maintain normal liver and kidney function. In addition, it acts as an immune amphoteric by strengthening weakened immune systems and normalizing overactive immune systems. Thank you very much for time and I look forward to your positive response.

I’m sorry to hear your friend, Richard, had to go through such a trial with his health problems. Dealing with cancer is always a challenging process and it always seems to force one to either learn how to survive and live in a healthier manner, on all levels, or succumb to the illness. Richard is very lucky to have such a caring and concerned friend -- with such support, he clearly has a better chance to get well. I’m glad to hear he’s in remission.

You seem to be very well-informed about the Fu Zheng formula. And I would concur that it is indeed a very helpful formula for the immune system and for recovering from severe illnesses. You might want to read something additional in connection with Chinese herbs for the immune system -- in this case, about Fu Zheng treatment of AIDS patients: see the link I’ve copied here: http://www.aids.org/atn/a-025-01.html

Regarding where to get the Fu Zheng formula, I would recommend Herbalist & Alchemist in New Jersey. Click on the link below and then click on the "Herbal Formulas" link to the left. Then, on the page that appears, type in "Fu Zheng" in the search field on the top right and click on the button. You will see that two Fu Zheng products come up. You may want to call them and ask them about the difference between the two of them: 800-611-8235.

Something I would suggest about how to use liquid tinctures to get the most benefit from them. First, I would suggest that it is taken on an empty stomach. Herbs, whether they are in pill, tablet, capsule, or liquid form, are usually best taken on an empty stomach: at least two hours after eating and as early as possible before the next meal (i.e., in between meals as much as possible; there are a couple of exceptions to that, but I won’t go into that at this time). This is partly because the herbs can have their functions and absorption interferred with by certain foods, depending on what is eaten and how much is eaten. You want the herbs to work as effectively as possible in the exact and specific manner that they are capable of acting, without that effect being diluted or altered by food or drink: foods and various drinks have particular properties and effects on the body also, and that may be very different or incompatible with what the herbs one is taking are supposed to be doing. Also, certain herbs can be somewhat difficult to digest, so taking them with food or too close to meal time might cause the herbs to impact the digestion of the meal adversely -- this is particularly true with herbs that are fairly bitter and cold (such as herbs used for clearing heat or purging/draining), but this can happen with other herbs as well. And when someone is sick or weak, you want to help that person get the most from his food as possible rather than make the digestion and assimilation worse. Generally, herbs should be taken with a glass of room temperature or slightly warm water between breakfast and lunch, between lunch and dinner, and between dinner and bedtime. As I mentioned above, certain herbs can sometimes be difficult to digest: nourishing or detoxifying herbs are occasionally hard on weakened digestions. If Richard finds he has no indigestion from taking the herbs as far apart from food as possible, then he should continue to do that. If he experiences any indigestion when taking the herbs, then he can try taking them 45 minutes after eating or 30 minutes before eating. Also, taking a good digestive enzyme with the herbs can help if it turns out he is having trouble with digesting them. So, let’s say, theoretically, that your friend is going to use 1.5 teaspoons 3 times a day of the Fu Zheng tincture. He should shake the bottle well before each use. The tincture has some alcohol in it, so I would suggest putting the 1.5 teaspoons of tincture into a glass with 1-2 ounces of purified or distilled room temperature water (not tap water) to reduce the strength of the alcohol when he puts the tincture into his mouth. He can then put either the whole amount of the water-tincture mixture into his mouth or put in half the amount first and then the remainder shortly after that. Each time he puts the mixture in his mouth, he should hold the liquid in his mouth (under his tongue) for at least 1-2 minutes and then swallow it -- the effect is MUCH better than swallowing it right away: holding it for 1-2 minutes will allow some significant amount of absorption to occur immediately through the veins under the tongue, going directly into the blood stream without needing to be digested in the G.I. tract. There is always some percentage that will not be utilized when it has to be absorbed through the digestive tract. Holding it under the tongue first for a couple of minutes will increase the total percentage that is able to get into the blood stream, beyond what will be possible through just the G.I. tract alone. I recommend doing this with ANY and ALL liquid remedies, be it herbal tinctures or teas, homeopathic liquids, liquid vitamin or mineral supplements, gemmotherapy remedies, flower essences, etc. He may want to start using the tincture slowly at first, perhaps just taking 0.5 teaspoons each time. Then gradually increasing the dosage over the course of 2-3 weeks. Perhaps your acupressure therapist may have a particular dosage in mind. I wish Richard the best with his efforts to regain his health and his strength.

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