yokukansan

Yokukansan is a traditional Japanese Kampo medicine composed of seven herbal ingredients: Atractylodis lanceae rhizoma (Atractylodes lancea rhizome), Poria sclerotium (Poria), Cnidii rhizoma (Cnidium rhizome), Uncariae uncis cum ramulus (Uncaria hook), Angelicae radix (Japanese angelica root), Bupleuri radix (Bupleurum root), and Glycyrrhizae radix (Glycyrrhiza). It is approved in Japan as a prescription drug for the relief of symptoms such as neurosis, insomnia, night crying and peevishness in children. Clinical studies have also evaluated its use for behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia—including those associated with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia with Lewy bodies—as well as schizophrenia and perioperative anxiety. Mechanistically, yokukansan acts partly via partial agonist activity at serotonin 5-HT1A receptors through components like geissoschizine methyl ether and hirsuteine from Uncaria hook. It also exerts neuroprotective effects by reducing extracellular glutamic acid levels via activation of astrocytic glutamate transporters—attributed to 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid from Glycyrrhiza[4][5]. The product is considered very safe based on clinical trials but can cause reversible adverse effects such as sedation or gastrointestinal discomfort[1][7].

Brand names

Tsumura YokukansanOhsugi Yokukansanryo Extract Granules TGTSUMURA Yokukansan Extract Granules for Ethical Use

Other names

Yi-gan sanYoku-kan-sanUkgansanYKS