Yigan San and Gou Teng San, July 10, 1987

Yigan San and Gou Teng San, July 10, 1987

Yigan San: Angelica, Chuanxiong, Atractylodes, Poria, Gou Teng, Bupleurum, and Licorice. This formula is the main prescription for treating depression and mental confusion, and can also treat menopausal syndrome.

Gou Teng San: Gou Teng, Gypsum, Ophiopogon, Ledebouriella, Chrysanthemum, Codonopsis, Pinellia, Tangerine Peel, Poria, and Licorice. This formula also treats depression, mental depression, and hypertension, with an outstanding blood pressure-lowering effect.

In both formulas, the main ingredient is Gou Teng. Gou Teng contains an alkaloid that can inhibit serotonin (5-HT) receptors. 5-HT is distributed in the smooth muscles of the esophagus and blood vessels, associated with diarrhea and vasoconstriction, and is also abundant in the central nervous system, thus related to irritability. Japanese scholar Yamakoshi Masaru recently pointed out that Gou Teng’s antidepressant effect includes: ① good effect for menopausal elderly; ② good effect for those with numb headaches; ③ this drug has the same effect as the vasodilator propranolol. Gou Teng and Radish Seed are collectively referred to as “blood pressure-lowering spirits”—Gou Teng dilates vessels, Radish Seed relieves bloating, both relaxing smooth muscles, so together they have a blood pressure-lowering effect.