Yi Gan San 抑肝散
Yoku Kan San (Japanese)
Restrain the Liver Powder

Tradition:

TCM

Source / Author:

Bao Ying Cuo Yao (1555)

Herb Name	Latin	Amount
Cang Zhu (Dark Atractylodes)	Atractylodes lancea
Fu Ling (Poria)	Poria cocos	4 grams ea.
Chuan Xiong (Sichuan Lovage)	Ligusticum chuanxiong
Dang Gui	Angelica sinensis
Gou Teng (Uncaria)	Uncaria rhynchophylla	3 grams ea.
Chai Hu (Bupleurum)	Bupleurum chinense	2 grams
Gan Cao (Licorice)	Glycyrrhiza uralensis	1 ½ grams

Preparation:

Decoction. Form a coarse powder and Boil in 3 cups of water until 1 cup remains.

Function:

Calms the Liver, Settles Wind, Clears Heat, Relieves Constraint

Use:

“…treats spasm, feverishness, clenching, terrified/simmering mental state, or intolerance to heat and cold caused by pseudo-hyperfunction of the liver and expectoration of sputum, abdominal fullness, loss of appetite, and sleep disorders caused by dysfunction of the spleen, which has a restraining relationship with the liver and is consequently damaged by the liver’s pseudo-hyperfunction”. (Bao Ying Cuo Yao, 1555)
1. Tinnitus (specifically for loud, high-pitched ringing or whistling sounds aggravated by stress or anger)
2. Insomnia
3. Severe Irritability
4. impulsivity, aggression
5. Blepharospasm (abnormal contraction or twitch of the eyelids)
6. Night terrors or night-crying in children
7. Muscle tremors
8. Teeth-grinding (bruxism)
9. Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease (used in Japan–see research below)
10. ADHD

Dose:

The above decoction is taken in 2 equal doses over the day.

Cautions:

None noted

Modifications:

1. Tinnitus with excess Phlegm and Damp, add aged Tangerine peel (Chen Pi) and Pinellia Ban Xia. This makes Yi Gan San Jia Chen Pi Ban Xia.
2. Tinnitus associated with hypertension with red eyes, add Abalone shell (Shi Jue Ming) and/or Oyster shell (Mu Li).
3. For tension in the jaw, TMJ associated with Tinnitus, and teeth grinding, add Paeonia Bai Shao and increase the dose of Licorice.