Using association rules mining to explore pattern of Chinese medicinal formulae (prescription) in treating and preventing breast cancer recurrence and metastasis

Table 3 Association of the herbs from 96 formulae with Five Flavors (N = 180 in 96 formulae)

Five flavors	Number of herbs	Occurrence frequency (%)	Number of formulae	Frequency of use (%)
Sweet	94	52.22	93	96.88
Bitter	87	48.33	86	89.58
Pungent	64	35.56	80	83.33
Salty	21	11.67	37	38.54
Sour	18	10	40	41.67

Occurrence frequency = number of herbs belonging to each category / total number of recorded herbs (i.e. 180); Frequency of use = number of formulae recording the use of the herbs / total number of selected formulae (i.e.: 96)

ISSN: 1479-5876