Kampo Part 1: Kakkonto (葛根湯)
The most famous Kampo formula. Used for early-stage colds, stiff neck/shoulders, fever without sweating, and headaches.
Kakkonto is an extract made from a precise mixture of seven crude botanical drugs (see https://www.nikkankyo.org/seihin/otc_pdf/english/InformationSheet_Kakkonto.pdf):
- Pueraria Root (Kakkon)
- Ephedra Herb (Maou)
- Jujube (Taisou)
- Cinnamon Bark (Keihi)
- Peony Root (Shakuyaku)
- Glycyrrhiza (Kanzou)
- Ginger (Shoukyou)
Kakkonto (葛根湯)
The most famous Kampo formula. Used for early-stage colds, stiff neck/shoulders, fever without sweating, and headaches.
Kakkonto is an extract made from a precise mixture of seven crude botanical drugs (see https://www.nikkankyo.org/seihin/otc_pdf/english/InformationSheet_Kakkonto.pdf):
- Pueraria Root (Kakkon)
- Ephedra Herb (Maou)
- Jujube (Taisou)
- Cinnamon Bark (Keihi)
- Peony Root (Shakuyaku)
- Glycyrrhiza (Kanzou)
- Ginger (Shoukyou)
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Kampo Part 2: Hochuekkito (補中益気湯)
A tonic formula for fatigue, low energy, and weakened constitution. Strengthens digestive function and overall vitality.
Hochuekkito (HET), Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi-Tang in traditional Chinese medicine, TCN), consists of a blend of 10 different medicinal herbs. Its primary components include:
- Astragalus Root (Astragali radix)
- Ginseng (Ginseng radix)
- Licorice (Glycyrrhizae radix)
- Angelica Root (Angelicae radix)
- Citrus Unshiu Peel
When lymphocytes from spleen, peripheral blood and Payer’s patches were investigated for cytokines production, it was found that the IFN-y (Interferon-gamma) secretion from the lymphocytes was increased as well as the expression of the L-selection gene by HET.
IFN-y is a crucial pro-inflammatory cytokine produced by T-cells and Natural Killer (NK) cells to activate immune cells and inhibit pathogen reproduction in response to viruses or infections.
(For further information, see https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2816392/);
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Kampo Series 3: Yokukansan
Yokukansan calms the nervous system, and is used to reduce irritability, insomnia, anxiety, and increasingly for dementia-related behavioral symptoms. https://herb-sprout.com/2026/06/22/kampo-3-yokukansan-kampo-yigan-san-tcm/
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