Experience with Chikujountanto (Untanto) for Trauma- and Stressor- Related Disorders

Abstract

I report five cases in which chikujountanto and untanto were effective for trauma and stressor-related disorders. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and acute stress disorder (ASD) are both psychiatric disorders that occur as a reaction to severe stress, and are distinguished by the duration of the disorder. Chikujountanto is indicated for those who have cough and insomnia after late yang stage pattern in case of cold, and for chronic diseases such as depression and sleep disorders, and is applied to various psychiatric disorders. In this paper, I cite the grounds for applying chikujountanto to PTSD from the classics, examine the similarities and differences with other Kampo medicines reported to be used for PTSD from the characteristics of the constituent crude drug centered on Huang lian. I also infer the relationship between the therapeutic mechanism of Kampo and neuroinflammation. Regardless of the severity of the trauma, rapid administration of this drug is expected to hasten the healing process.