As is evident from the Oriental Medical phrase “the mind and body are one”, the body and mind are thought to mutually influence each other. Based on this assumption, the authors studied the psychotropic effects of Kampo formulas that are commonly used for physical disorders. The effects were rapid and remarkable. However, just as individual Kampo formulas are effective for specific organs, the effect of each formula was found to be limited to a certain mental state. Since each mental state was thought to correspond to one of the elements in the Five Element theory there were five mental states identified, i. e.: 1. Will, 2. Anxiety, 3. Irritation, 4. Manic mood, 5. Sociability. Tonifying Kampo formulas seemed to affect two states, one of which was suppressed. The Mutually Destructive Aspects (Sokoku) of the Five Element theory was useful in explaining this. Further studies were made of the psychotropic effects of one Kampo formula, Hachimi-jio-gan. The results indicated that Hachimi-jio-gan had the mutually opposing psychotropic effects of facilitating the will and suppressing the irritation. From these results and the study of various other Kampo formulas, it was suggested that the Mutually Destructive Aspects of the Five Element theory may be useful in gaining an understanding of their psychotropic effects.
In this study, since we were afraid that the psychotropic effects of Hachimi-jio-gan might be due to the presence of Aconiti Tuber, it was removed from the formula, along with the Cinnamomi Cortex. The effects of the remaining formula, Rokumi-gan, were then studied. Twelve patients suffering mainly from depressive neurosis were given Rokumi-gan, and the five mental states evaluated. The states affected were thought to be the loss of will and irritation. After two weeks (four weeks), the efficacy rates were 66.7% (91.7%) and 66.7% (83.3%), but after four weeks, slight mood deterioration (depression) was seen in five of the twelve cases.
Long administration of such tonifying formulas seemed to bring about another improvement without the two mental states. From these findings and a summary of the results obtained from this stuby, the Mutually Creative Aspects (Sosei) of the Five Element theory seems to be useful after the 2-4 week point. In addition, from the study of many formulas, the psychotropic effect of Aconiti Tuber was thought to be a tonifyer of the Five element. Some observations were also made concerning the mutual relationship between the Yin/Yang Deficient/Excessive table and the Five Element theory.
*1 The Five Element theory: In ancient China, the universe was thought to consist of five elements. Mental states were also considered to correspond to the five elements. The five elements are: Wood (Moku), Fire (Ka), Earth (Do), Metal (Kon) and Water (Sui).
*2 The Mutually Destructive Aspect of the Five Element theory: The five elements were thought to have a special relationship. Wood suppresses Earth, Fire suppresses Metal, Earth suppresses Water, Metal suppresses Wood and Water suppresses Fire. This relationship keeps the universe in balance.