HerbSprout.com

Japanese Kampo Series:

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)

• • •

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/); 

• • •

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/

• • •