Kit Li
Yesterday, I had the privilege of attending the 3rd King’s CICM Research Meeting, themed 'Integrative Medicine: Quality of Clinical Evidence is the Key,' organised by Professor Xu Qihe, alongside my mentors Dr Tang and Dr Wang, and several LACA professors at King’s College.
In the morning, we visited Dimbleby Cancer Care at Guy’s Hospital, where patients are supported through a holistic model incorporating complementary therapies, psychological services, and welfare advice. During our visit, we had an in-depth discussion with Mandy Brass, Lead Acupuncturist, exchanging perspectives on our clinical work. She provided valuable insights into the centre’s operational framework, including the distinctions between individual and group acupuncture, patient pathways and waiting times, and the clinical use of traditional Chinese medicine equipment such as acupuncture needles, moxibustion, and TDP heat lamps.
The meeting continued with a series of research presentations divided into two sessions.
The first session, 'High-quality clinical studies underpin integrative medicine,' addressed topics including the acupuncture service at Guy’s Cancer Centre, the role of Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) in cancer care, international standards and best practice guidelines, and target trial emulation. Presentations were delivered by Mandy Brass, Dr TieJun Tang, Dr Qihe Xu, and Professor Yanzhong Wang.
The second session, “Shining a light on acupuncture in integrative medicine,” explored acupuncture practice at King’s College Health Centre, a scoping review of traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine content on the NICE website, pulse-based acupuncture, and applications in stroke rehabilitation. This session featured Ms Titta M. Laattala, Mr Safin Hossain, Dr Jun Xu, and Dr TianJun Wang.
The event concluded with a panel discussion, where several professors offered insightful reflections on the future of integrative medicine. Following the meeting, we gathered for tea at the King’s College café, providing a valuable opportunity for further informal discussion. I was particularly grateful to continue exchanging ideas on Chinese herbal medicine with Professor Xu and Dr Tang, an inspiring and intellectually enriching conversation that deepened my perspective on integrative clinical practice.
My thoughts:The discussion with Mandy was fascinating. Her role closely mirrors aspects of my own, although our professional backgrounds differ. Alongside my private practice, I volunteer as a neuro-acupuncturist at Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity (FNHC), supporting patients undergoing or recovering from chemotherapy. My work focuses on scalp acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine to support recovery and enhance quality of life. Notably, FNCH receives only around 3% of its funding from the NHS, relying predominantly on charitable contributions and legacy donations to sustain its services.
In this context, her suggestion of group acupuncture is particularly compelling. It not only benefits patients by creating a supportive environment where they can connect with others facing similar experiences, but also offers clinical efficiency by optimising practitioner time and increasing accessibility to care.
Another topic that particularly intrigued me was the role of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in cancer management. (1) This is especially relevant for patients undergoing or recovering from chemotherapy. In such cases, red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelet levels are often significantly reduced. From a TCM perspective, herbal strategies can be applied both to support the body’s recovery and to complement anti-cancer care.
For example, herbs such as:
- Baihuasheshecao (Oldenlandia Herb) (1): anti-inflammatory, pro-apoptotic, immune-enhancing
- Banzhilian (Barbed Skullcap Herb) (2): Often paired with Baihuasheshecao
- Fuling (Poria): gut, immunity, damp resolution
- Yiyiren (Coix seed): expels dampness
These are commonly used for their
anti-cancer and damp-resolving properties, while others such as:
- Huangqi (Astragalus Root) (3): commonly used for promoting Qi
- Danggui (Chinese Angelica Root): nourishing Blood
- Shudihuang (Prepared Rehmannia Root): nourishing Yin and Blood
These are frequently prescribed to
tonify Qi and nourish Blood.
As a TCM practitioner, I have observed in my private practice that the combination of Chinese herbal medicine and scalp acupuncture is highly valuable. The therapeutic synergy between these approaches often leads to improved clinical outcomes and may shorten recovery time, particularly when patients adhere to prescribed treatment plans and dietary recommendations.
Overall, the day was both inspiring and thought-provoking (5). It not only deepened my understanding of integrative medicine in a clinical setting but also strengthened my commitment to supporting patients through a holistic and compassionate approach. I left with a renewed sense of purpose and motivation to continue growing as a practitioner in this field.
References:
1) Summarises multiple herbs including your list and their mechanisms: Review of commonly used Chinese herbs in cancer treatment
2) Baihuasheshecao shows anti-proliferative and apoptosis-inducing effects in cancer cells: Anticancer activities of Oldenlandia diffusa
3) Banzhilian, evidence for anti-tumour, anti-inflammatory, and immune-regulating effect:
Clinical and pharmacological review of Scutellaria barbata
© 2026 Kit Li. All rights reserved. Please obtain permission before reproducing this article. Referenced materials remain the property of their respective rights holders.
