ABSTRACT
Muscle hypertonicity, excitability, and insomnia were observed after improvement of cough, appetite loss, and general fatigue in four cases of severe mental and physical disability, and three cases of developmental disorder, while being medicated with bupleurum root-containing formulations for bronchial asthma, or other physical symptoms. By comparison with three trouble-free cases medicated with saibokuto, these four index double handicap cases used to react better to others with voice, gesture, and non-verbal communicative facial expressions, and they also used to have muscle hypertonicity with involuntary movements. In two cases with yokukansan, behavioral problems such as hyperactivity, excitability, and impulsive action were also prominent, and we might give more consideration toward both unapparent hot flushes or netsu-sho (hot states) of the head, and insufficiency of liver yin. We discuss the pharmacological function of bupleurum root drugs on the central nervous system, and suppose that the events presented in this paper might be adverse physical reactions rather than formulation side effects. Moreover, this should remind us to evaluate sho (Kampo diagnoses) carefully, and consult with parents on both mental and physical conditions, when prescribing Kampo medicines for handicapped children.