Yokukansan Health Benefits, Properties, and Uses
Common Names: Yi-Gan San
Properties: Antioxidant, Anti-inflammatory, Anti-stress, Analgesic
What is Yokukansan?
Yokukansan is a traditional Japanese medicine. It is referred to in clinical settings as TJ-54 or YKS. It’s created using a blend of seven different dried herbs native to Japan.1 Yokukansan extract is composed of the following:2
- Rhizome of Atractylodes lancea
- Sclerotium of Poria
- Cnidium rhizome
- Hook of Uncaria
- Root of Japanese angelica
- Root of Bupleurum
- Glycyrrhiza
Yokukansan was first developed in Japan in 1555 as a remedy for treating restlessness and agitation in children.2 Due to the increasing life expectancy of the Japanese population, researchers have also begun researching and using Yokukansan as a treatment for behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia in elderly people.2
Yokukansan Health Uses and Health Benefits
Yokukansan benefits have been well researched clinically around the world, particularly by Japanese Pharmacology experts. Mainly, yokukansan is known to be an effective treatment for a broad range of psychiatric disorders.1 2 Some of the known yokukansan benefits include:1 2
- Reducing psychological and behavioral symptoms in dementia patients
- Controlling symptoms of Asperger's syndrome
- Lowering severe levels of hyperactivity, irritability and agitation
- Treating insomnia, anxiety and convulsions
- Improving quality of life for those suffering from psychiatric disorders like schizophrenia and borderline personality disorder
These yokukansan benefits make it an important alternative treatment for those suffering from severe psychiatric conditions. Yokukansan uses for psychiatric disorders include:
- Dementia - Yokukansan uses include being able to reduce behavioral and psychological symptoms in dementia patients.
- Autism - Yokukansan for autism has been studied as an effective treatment for controlling symptoms in children suffering from this disorder.
- Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) - Yokukansan has shown to be effective in treating symptoms of borderline personality disorder.
- Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) - Clinical trials have shown that yokukansan is a safe and effective treatment for those diagnosed with pervasive developmental disorder.
- Schizophrenia - Clinical studies have shown that yokukansan is an effective treatment for those with schizophrenia and who have stopped responding to other treatments.
Yokukansan Side Effects and Precautions
Research has shown that yokukansan side effects are limited. It is a generally well tolerate treatment. Some reports have shown that yokukansan side effects may include nausea in some elderly patients. However, most studies haven’t found any major or serious side effects.2