The Therapeutic Application of Saiko-ka-ryukotsu-borei-to (Chai-Hu-Jia-Long-Gu-Du-Li-Tang) in the Cardiological Clinic / 日本東洋医学雑誌

ABSTRACT

[Objectives] Repeated episodes of anger are a risk factor for cardiac diseases such as ischemic heart disease and arrhythmia. In this context, controlling anger may ameliorate the severity of effective cardiac diseases. In traditional Chinese and/or Japanese (Kampo) medicine, anger is one of the five basic emotions and is related to the <i>liver</i>, and formulas coursing, clearing and calming the <i>liver</i> are thought to be able to control anger. Accordingly, it is possible that formulas targeted to the <i>liver</i> are useful for preventing and managing cardiac diseases. However, it has not been established how to use formulas that target the <i>liver</i> in modern cardiology. The objective of this study is to examine the usefulness and therapeutic implications of Saiko-ka-ryukotsu-borei-to (Chaff-Hu-Jia-Long-Gu-Du-Li-Tang) as a formula targeted to the <i>liver</i> in modern cardiology.<br>[Methods] We analyzed nine patients aged 44±13 years (mean±SD) who took Saiko-ka-ryukotsu-borei-to in our cardiological clinic. We examined the influence of selected formulas on the symptoms.<br>[Results and discussions] The total effectiveness of Saiko-ka-ryukotsu-borei-to was 78%. Saiko-ka-ryukotsu-borei-to improved symptoms such as palpitation, chest discomfort, cough and insomnia in patients with supraventricular arrhythmia, psychosomatic cough, hypertension and cardiac neurosis. Saiko-ka-ryukotsu-borei-to also showed an anti-hypertensive effect, an anti-arrhythmic effect and an advantage over β-blockers in terms of its safety. These results suggest that Saiko-ka-ryukotsu-borei-to may be useful for treating and preventing cardiac diseases through its effects on palpitation and insomnia caused by emotional disturbances. We should therefore consider using Saiko-ka-ryukotsu-borei-to in cardiological clinics.