Kyukichoketsuin is commonly used for ki-deficiency and ketsu-deficiency, especially postpartum physical and mental complaints. However it does not contain ninjin and ogi, which are actually known to be major crude drugs for ki-deficiency. The 16th century Manbyokaishun gives many ways of treatment, some including the use of ninjin and ogi with kyukichoketsuin.
We report 2 cases treated with kyukichoketsuin and hokizai. The first case was a 33-year-old woman who had dyspnea with exertion and general malaise undergoing treatment for amenorrhea. The second case was a 39-year-old woman who had fatigue, irregular menstruation and headache after childbirth. We treated the first with kyukichoketsuin and hochuekkito extract, and the second with kyukichoketsuin and rikkunshito extract. In both cases, the symptoms improved remarkably over a few weeks with kyuchichoketsuin and hokizai. Thus, this combination therapy may have efficacy for gynecological symptoms with remarkable signs of ki-deficiency.