Fig. 6.

Chinese and Western chronotherapeutic concepts The following concepts apply to the understanding of chronotherapy in Chinese medicine. Prior to the application of western medical treatment during the “Tai Yang phase” from 09:00 to 15:00, replenishing spleen Qi will increase the number.of NK-cells, while in the “Yin phase” from 21:00 to 07:00 the administration of mushrooms etc. enhances NK-cell activity. Later, when the immune function has been boosted, radio-therapy or surgery may be performed during the reducing period of the “Yang Ming phase” between 15:00 and 21:00 and followed by treatment with anticancer agents like 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) or folic acid (FA) during the night (the time of application may vary with the type of the anticancer agent), permitting the administration of combination therapy. Moreover, integration of Chinese chronotherapy should also be feasible postsurgically.