Sansoninto

A rest medicine for the mind and body that gently wraps around sleepless nights

Hello everyone. Today, I will talk about a Kampo prescription called "Sansoninto." It is a prescription that supports a very common problem among modern people: "I'm tired, but I can't sleep."

What kind of Kampo is Sansoninto?

Sansoninto is a Kampo medicine used for insomnia symptoms such as being tired but unable to sleep, having trouble falling asleep, or having shallow sleep. It is especially suitable for those who are exhausted in mind and body but cannot easily fall asleep. Many of you have probably experienced the feeling of "I should be tired, but for some reason, I can't sleep," right?

This prescription is composed of five crude drugs: Sansonin, Bukuryo, Senkyu, Chimo, and Kanzo. Each one balances the mind and body, leading you to a natural sleep.

Symptoms that Sansoninto excels at treating

Tired but cannot sleep

The most characteristic symptom is "being tired but unable to sleep." This is a very common problem in modern society. It is suitable for those who are mentally exhausted or have many things on their mind, and even though their body is tired, their brain is alert, making it difficult to fall asleep.

Difficulty falling asleep / Shallow sleep

You get into bed but cannot fall asleep easily. Or, you wake up right away. Sansoninto is also effective for those who have such concerns about sleep quality. It is used especially for insomnia caused by mental tension or excitement.

Dullness in skin complexion

When insomnia continues, skin complexion also tends to worsen. Sansoninto is considered to have the effect of replenishing "blood" in Oriental medicine and improving the condition of the skin. It may also be a good prescription for those who feel that their skin complexion has started to look a bit dull.

The functions of the crude drugs in Sansoninto

Sansonin: The main crude drug

It uses the seeds of a plant called Ziziphus jujuba var. spinosa of the Rhamnaceae family. As the name suggests, this crude drug has a sour taste and is considered to have a sedative effect. By calming the heart and stabilizing the mind, it leads to natural sleep. It is also said to have the function of regulating the "liver" and replenishing "blood" as defined in Oriental medicine.

Bukuryo: Regulates water balance

It is a type of fungus in the Polyporaceae family that parasitizes the roots of pine trees and has a diuretic effect. In other words, it discharges excess water from the body and regulates water metabolism. It is also a good crude drug for those who feel lightheaded or have swelling.

Senkyu: Promotes blood circulation

It is a perennial herb of the Apiaceae family that promotes blood circulation and improves the flow of "ki" (energy). It is a crude drug also used for headaches and stiff shoulders, and it loosens stiffness caused by tension.

Chimo: Cools down heat

This is a crude drug made from the rhizome of a perennial plant in the lily family, which has the effect of cooling excess heat in the body. It calms mental excitement and physical sensations of heat, leading the body to a more settled state.

Licorice: Harmonizing agent

This is a crude drug made from the roots of a perennial plant in the legume family, which serves to harmonize the effects of other crude drugs. It also reduces the burden on the gastrointestinal tract and mellows the overall effect.

Who is Sansoninto effective for?

In Eastern medicine, the appropriate herbal medicine changes depending on one's constitution and how symptoms manifest. Sansoninto is considered particularly effective for people with the following characteristics.

People who are nervous and sensitive

People who tend to overthink things or worry too much are prone to insomnia due to mental tension. Sansoninto helps stabilize the minds of those with such delicate temperaments.

People who feel tired but cannot sleep

A state where the body is tired but the mind is alert and unable to sleep is a common problem for modern people. Sansoninto corrects this imbalance and leads to natural sleep.

Women around menopause

Sansoninto is also considered effective for women around menopause who suffer from insomnia and mental anxiety due to changes in hormonal balance. It gently balances the mind and body during a time when bodily rhythms tend to be disrupted.

How to use Sansoninto and points of caution

When is it effective to take?

It is common to take Sansoninto before bedtime. However, some people take it during the day to relieve tension and anxiety. I advise patients on the appropriate timing according to their lifestyle rhythms and symptoms.

How long does it take to see results?

Generally, herbal medicines improve constitution gradually rather than providing immediate effects. The same applies to Sansoninto, and many people feel its effects after taking it continuously for one week to one month. Of course, there are individual differences, so please consider this as a general guideline.

Things to be careful about

Although herbal medicines are naturally derived, that does not mean they are safe for everyone. In particular, those who fall into the following categories should consult a doctor or pharmacist before taking them.

• Those who are pregnant or breastfeeding

• Those who are currently taking other medications

• Those with allergic constitutions

• Those with underlying medical conditions

Lifestyle habits that complement Sansoninto

Kampo medicines become more effective when combined with improvements in lifestyle habits. For those taking Sansoninto, we recommend keeping the following lifestyle habits in mind as well.

A regular daily rhythm

Try to wake up and go to bed at the same time every day as much as possible. By regulating your internal clock, it becomes easier to fall into a natural sleep.

Ensuring time for relaxation

For the hour before bedtime, refrain from using devices that emit blue light, such as smartphones and computers, and instead spend time relaxing by reading or taking a bath.

Moderate exercise

Getting moderate exercise during the day creates a natural sense of fatigue and improves the quality of sleep at night. However, be aware that intense exercise right before bedtime can have the opposite effect.

Dietary adjustments

Try to finish dinner at least three hours before bedtime. Also, since caffeine and alcohol can lower the quality of sleep, it is better to consume them in moderation before going to bed.

Sansoninto and Western medicine

Eastern medicine and Western medicine consider health through different approaches. Kampo medicines like Sansoninto have a different mechanism of action than Western sleeping pills.

Differences from sleeping pills

Western sleeping pills often act directly on specific parts of the brain to forcibly induce sleep. On the other hand, Sansoninto promotes natural sleep by balancing the entire body.

Complementary use

While Sansoninto is sometimes used alone for mild to moderate insomnia, in cases of severe insomnia, it may be used in parallel with Western medical treatment. It is not a matter of which is better, but rather choosing the optimal treatment method according to the individual's condition.

The effects of Sansoninto I have experienced

I have been practicing Kampo medicine for a long time, and I would like to introduce a few cases where Sansoninto left a particularly strong impression on me.

Example of a woman in her 40s

A woman in her 40s who became unable to sleep due to the overlap of work stress and menopausal symptoms. She consulted us because using Western sleeping pills left her feeling very drowsy the next day. After taking Sansoninto for about two weeks, the quality of her sleep gradually improved, and her daytime fatigue was also reduced.

Example of a man in his 20s

A man in his 20s who developed insomnia due to the pressure of job hunting. He said he would overthink things, keeping his mind alert, and would wake up many times during the night. When he took Sansoninto and was also advised on relaxation techniques before bed, his symptoms improved in about a month.

While these are just a few examples, they show that Sansoninto can provide a gentle approach to the insomnia symptoms experienced by modern people.

Summary: Aiming for harmony of mind and body with Sansoninto

Sansoninto is a Kampo medicine used for insomnia symptoms such as being unable to sleep despite being tired, having trouble falling asleep, or having shallow sleep. It is considered particularly effective for insomnia caused by mental tension and fatigue.

From the perspective of Eastern medicine, it aims to balance the mind and body and promote natural sleep. While it may not have the immediate effect of Western sleeping pills, it can lead to more natural and healthy sleep through fundamental improvement of one's constitution.

If you are suffering from insomnia, please remember that Sansoninto is an option. Of course, we recommend consulting a doctor or pharmacist first. May you find peaceful sleep with a harmonized mind and body.

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