Bofutsushosan

“Clear away heat and swelling! A Kampo deep clean to refresh your heavy body”

Hello everyone. Today, I will talk about one of the most famous Kampo prescriptions, "Bofutsushosan." This prescription can truly be called a Kampo medicine that performs a "deep clean of the body."

What kind of Kampo is Bofutsushosan?

Bofutsushosan is a complex prescription consisting of 18 different crude drugs. It was already known in the Edo period as a "Kampo for obesity," but it is not just a diet pill. It works to remove excess heat and moisture from the body and balance the entire system.

“Bofu” prevents the invasion of colds, and “Tsusho” means to discharge excess substances from the body to make it as pure as a saint. It is a truly wonderful name.

Features and functions of Bofutsushosan

First, the characteristic point of Bofutsushosan is that it has two major functions: “cooling heat” and “removing swelling.”

In Oriental medicine, it is believed that when excess heat accumulates in the body, various ailments occur. Examples include hot flashes, headaches, irritability, and constipation. Also, when water metabolism stagnates, you begin to feel swelling and a heavy, sluggish sensation in your body.

Bofutsushosan is an expert in “internal body cleaning” that resolves this “imbalance of heat” and “stagnation of moisture” at the same time.

What kind of crude drugs are in it?

Bofutsushosan contains 18 types of crude drugs. Let me introduce the main ones:

• Daio (Rhubarb): Has the effect of promoting bowel movements

• Mao (Ephedra): Lowers body heat through a diaphoretic effect

• Bofu (Saposhnikovia root): The crude drug from which the name is derived; effective for headaches and stiff shoulders

• Sekko (Gypsum): Has a strong heat-clearing effect

• Kasseki (Talc): Discharges excess moisture through a diuretic effect

• Shakuyaku (Peony root): Relaxes muscle tension

• Toki (Angelica root): Promotes blood circulation

• Shokyo (Ginger): Warms the body and regulates gastrointestinal function

These many crude drugs work together to act on various parts of the body.

Recommended for people like this

I will talk about the characteristics of people for whom Bofutsushosan is suitable.

Constitutional characteristics

It is suitable for people who have physical strength and a tendency to accumulate excess in their body, which is called "jisho" (excess constitution) in Oriental medicine. Specifically:

• Sturdy build

• Reddish complexion

• Loud voice and proactive in things

• Prone to sweating

People with these characteristics may be a good match for Bofutsushosan.

Symptoms of concern

If you are troubled by the following symptoms, Bofutsushosan may be helpful:

• Feeling of "hot flashes" in the face or upper body

• Stiff shoulders or headaches

• Swelling or a heavy, sluggish feeling in the body

• Tendency toward constipation

• Skin problems (such as breakouts)

• Dry mouth or bad breath

In particular, if you feel that "your face is hot but your hands and feet are cold" or "you feel a temperature difference between your upper and lower body," it may be a sign of an imbalance of heat in your body.

How to effectively incorporate Bofutsushosan

Kampo medicines are meant to improve your constitution gradually rather than providing immediate effects. Bofutsushosan is the same, and you can feel its effects by taking it continuously.

Timing of administration

Generally, it is standard to take herbal medicines before or between meals, but please follow the instructions of your doctor or pharmacist.

Combining with lifestyle habits

To enhance the effects of Bofutsushosan, it is also important to review your lifestyle habits:

• Moderate exercise: Promote blood circulation with light walking, etc.

• Balanced diet: Keep overly spicy or greasy foods to a minimum

• Adequate hydration: Helps with the excretion of waste products

• Regular lifestyle: Let's regulate your internal rhythm

By combining these, you can support the function of Bofutsushosan.

History and background of Bofutsushosan

Bofutsushosan is a formula that originated in China during the Song Dynasty (960–1279) and has a history of about 1,000 years. It is recorded in the medical book 'Taiping Huimin Heji Jufang' and has been used since that time for obesity, constipation, and hot flashes.

It was introduced to Japan during the Kamakura period, and it seems to have been widely used by the Edo period. It was particularly valued for treating malaise caused by summer heat and poor physical condition after overeating and overdrinking.

Today, it is used by many people as an official medical herbal preparation listed in the Japanese Pharmacopoeia.

From my clinical experience

In my clinical experience, Bofutsushosan is often particularly effective during the change of seasons and in the summer.

A female patient in her 40s suffered from swelling in her face and limbs, headaches, and constipation every summer. She said she was prone to getting sick due to the temperature difference between air-conditioned rooms and the heat outside, and was always suffering from summer fatigue.

About two weeks after she started taking Bofutsushosan, she felt changes such as 'the swelling in my face when I wake up in the morning has decreased' and 'my head feels clearer.' After continuing for about a month, she said her bowel movements improved and she was able to spend the summer comfortably.

In this way, Bofutsushosan is a herbal medicine that can also effectively address ailments stemming from the lifestyle habits of modern people.

Points of caution and those for whom it is not suitable

Although Bofutsushosan is a herbal medicine that suits many people, it is not suitable for everyone.

This may not be suitable for the following people

• Those with weak physical strength (kyo-sho)

• Those prone to diarrhea

• Those who are pregnant

• Those who are very thin

Caution is required especially when your physical strength is low or your gastrointestinal tract is weak. If you feel that your physical condition is different from usual, stop taking it and consult a doctor or pharmacist.

Taking it with other medications

If you are taking other medications, be sure to consult your doctor or pharmacist. In particular, caution is required when using it in combination with drugs that affect water balance, such as blood pressure medication or diuretics.

The relationship between Bofutsushosan and the seasons

Bofutsushosan is a Kampo medicine that is particularly valued from the rainy season through summer. During this time, when humidity and temperatures rise, heat and moisture tend to accumulate inside the body.

As a countermeasure for summer fatigue

Symptoms of summer fatigue include lethargy, loss of appetite, and constipation, which overlap with the symptoms that Bofutsushosan is good at treating. It is particularly compatible with those who feel "hot and prone to swelling" or "do not feel refreshed even after sweating."

At the change of seasons

Also, the change of seasons is a time when it is easy to lose your physical condition. In particular, the transition from spring to summer and from summer to autumn makes it easy for the balance of heat and moisture in the body to be disrupted. By incorporating Bofutsushosan during these times, you may be able to adapt smoothly to seasonal changes.

Summary: The appeal of Bofutsushosan

Bofutsushosan is not just a "weight-loss Kampo," but an expert in "internal cleaning" that balances heat and moisture in the body. It can be said to be a reliable ally that performs a "thorough cleaning of the body," capable of dealing with common modern ailments such as hot flashes, swelling, and constipation.

In Eastern medicine, it is believed that by properly discharging excess substances from the body, one returns to their original healthy state. Bofutsushosan is a prescription that embodies that very idea.

If you feel unwell, why not consider the wisdom of Eastern medicine in addition to a Western medical approach? However, Kampo medicines are legitimate pharmaceuticals. Please be sure to consult your doctor or pharmacist when considering taking them.

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