Yokukansan

A soothing prescription to gently calm an irritable mind and body

Hello everyone.
Today, I will talk about a Kampo prescription called "Yokukansan." As the name suggests, this prescription "suppresses" the "liver"—in Eastern medicine, the organ responsible for controlling emotions and muscle movement—and gently calms it when it becomes overactive.

My encounter with Yokukansan

Yokukansan was created during the Song Dynasty in China (960-1279) to treat night crying and tantrums in children. In Japan, it is said to have been popularized by the Edo-period physician Kagawa Shutoku (Shuan).

The prescription name "Yokukansan" literally means a formula that "suppresses" the function of the "liver." In Eastern medicine, the "liver" is slightly different from the liver in Western medicine; it is considered an organ that controls emotions like anger and irritability, as well as muscle movement. When the function of this "liver" becomes excessive, symptoms such as irritability and spasms appear.

What symptoms does Yokukansan treat?

This prescription is particularly effective for the following symptoms:

• Involuntary twitching of the eyelids or facial muscles (blepharospasm/facial spasm)

• Tremors in the hands and feet

• Irritability and restlessness

• Strong feelings of anxiety

• Short temper and nervous agitation

• Difficulty falling asleep

• Night crying and tantrums in children

Recently, it is also sometimes used for symptoms such as agitation and irritability in people with dementia (BPSD: Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia).

A harmony woven by seven herbal medicines

Yokukansan is a "seven-flavor" prescription consisting of seven types of herbal medicines. Each herb plays its own unique role while working in harmony.

Atractylodes Rhizome(Soujutsu)

The rhizome of a plant in the Asteraceae family, it drains excess moisture and improves feelings of heaviness in the head. It serves as the foundation for regulating the function of the "liver."

Poria Sclerotium(Bukuryo)

It is a fungus that parasitizes the roots of pine trees. It has a diuretic effect, helps regulate water metabolism, and also has the effect of stabilizing the mind.

Chuanxiong (Senkyu)

The root of a plant in the Apiaceae family, it promotes blood circulation and relieves headaches and stiff shoulders. By improving the circulation of "blood," it relaxes muscle tension.

Angelica root (Toki)

The root of a plant in the Apiaceae family, it replenishes "blood" and improves blood circulation. It is particularly effective for women's health issues and helps balance the mind and body.

Uncaria hook (Chotoko)

The hook-shaped stem of the Uncaria plant in the Rubiaceae family. It is the central herbal medicine in Yokukansan, calming excitement and alleviating spasms. It has a particularly strong effect on calming the mind.

Bupleurum root (Saiko)

The root of a plant in the Apiaceae family. It directly regulates the function of the "liver" and relieves irritability and anxiety. It also has the effect of brightening one's mood.

Licorice (Kanzo)

The root of a plant in the Fabaceae family. It harmonizes the actions of other herbal medicines and suppresses irritation to the gastrointestinal tract. It also has anti-inflammatory properties.

Mechanism of Yokukansan's effects

From the perspective of Oriental medicine

In Oriental medicine, Yokukansan is thought to improve a condition called "liver yang hyperactivity." This is a state where the "yang" nature of the "liver" is excessively elevated, manifesting as irritability and muscle spasms.

Yokukansan calms this elevated "liver yang" and normalizes "liver" function. At the same time, by improving the circulation of "blood," it relaxes muscle tension and improves spasms and tremors.

From the perspective of modern medicine

Modern research has shown that the components contained in Yokukansan act on GABA receptors (which have the function of suppressing brain excitement). In particular, the components contained in Uncaria hook appear to have the effect of suppressing excessive nerve excitement.

Furthermore, an inhibitory effect on the excessive release of glutamate, an excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain, has also been confirmed. Through these actions, it is believed that nerve excitement is calmed, and irritability, anxiety, and spasms are improved.

Tips for incorporating Yokukansan into daily life

When is the best time to take it?

While it is generally standard to take herbal medicines before or between meals, the following timing is recommended for Yokukansan:

• For intense irritability: When symptoms occur

• For insomnia: 1 to 2 hours before bedtime

• For symptoms such as blepharospasm: Regular morning and evening doses are effective

How long does it take to see results?

Herbal medicines do not provide immediate relief; they work by gradually improving your constitution. For Yokukansan, although individual results vary, many people feel the effects after continuing use for about two weeks to a month.

However, some people may experience relief from mental symptoms like irritability and anxiety relatively quickly (within a few days).

Compatible foods and lifestyle habits

To enhance the effects of Yokukansan, the following foods and lifestyle habits are helpful:

• Green and yellow vegetables and seaweed: Replenish "blood" and improve circulation

• Moderate exercise: Relieves stress and improves the flow of "qi"

• Bathing: Promotes blood circulation and has a relaxing effect

• Sufficient sleep: The "liver" is said to rest and recover during sleep

Cases where Yokukansan is particularly effective

Irritability due to modern stress

Yokukansan is effective for those experiencing intense irritability or anxiety due to stress from work or relationships. It gently regulates the function of the "liver," especially when you become short-tempered or are unable to sleep due to nervous tension.

Twitching of the eyelids or facial muscles (blepharospasm/facial spasm)

Symptoms where eyelids or facial muscles twitch involuntarily can occur due to excessive use of computers or smartphones. This is a state where the function of the "liver" is disrupted and the circulation of "blood" is poor. Yokukansan improves such spasms by regulating the function of the "liver" and improving "blood" circulation.

Irritability and insomnia during menopause

During menopause, women may experience symptoms such as irritability, anxiety, and insomnia due to changes in hormonal balance. Because Yokukansan regulates the function of the "liver" and has the effect of replenishing and improving the circulation of "blood," it is also useful for improving menopausal symptoms.

Temper tantrums and night crying in children

In fact, Yokukansan was originally created as a prescription for children's temper tantrums and night crying. A child's "liver" is immature and easily thrown out of balance by minor things, so a prescription like Yokukansan that gently regulates it is effective.

Kampo prescriptions that go well with Yokukansan

Kampo medicines can be effective on their own, but by combining them with other prescriptions according to symptoms, their effectiveness can be further enhanced.

Kamishoyosan

A prescription that improves health issues specific to women. It has similar effects to Yokukansan, but because it has a stronger effect of supplementing "blood," it is particularly effective for premenstrual irritability and menopausal symptoms.

Orengedokuto

A prescription with a strong effect of cooling down heat. If there is strong excitement, hot flashes, facial flushing, or mouth ulcers, it is effective to combine it with Yokukansan.

Tokishakuyakusan

A prescription that supplements "blood" and regulates water metabolism. By regulating the function of the "liver" with Yokukansan while supplementing "blood" with Tokishakuyakusan, you can better balance the body as a whole.

Points to note when using Yokukansan

About side effects

Kampo medicines are considered to have relatively few side effects, but depending on your constitution or dosage, the following side effects may occur:

• Stomach discomfort: This may be improved by changing to taking it after meals or reducing the dosage

• Drowsiness: This may be felt especially in the beginning, but it often subsides as the body gets used to it

• Hypokalemia: Because it contains licorice, potassium levels may need to be checked in cases of long-term use

Consult a doctor if you fall into these categories

In the following cases, do not make a judgment on your own and be sure to consult a doctor:

• Those who are pregnant or breastfeeding

• Those who are currently taking other medications

• Those with liver or kidney disease

• If symptoms do not improve over a long period (more than one month)

• If symptoms suddenly worsen

Summary: The appeal of Yokukansan for gentle regulation

Yokukansan is a Kampo prescription that gently and effectively regulates symptoms common in modern people, such as irritability, anxiety, and spasms. By working in harmony, its seven crude drugs help restore the balance between mind and body, assisting you in regaining a peaceful daily life.

The wisdom of Eastern medicine is a valuable asset cultivated over a long history. Why not aim for a richer state of health by incorporating traditional prescriptions like Yokukansan into your modern lifestyle?

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