Effect of a traditional herbal medicine, hangekobokuto, on the sensation of a lump in the throat in patients with respiratory diseases

Abstract

Abstract. The sensation of a lump in the throat (SLT) is not a rarely encountered symptom. The etiology of SLT appears to be multifactorial, and the psychological characteristics, stress and pressure of a psychiatric disorder may be significant factors in SLT. Hangekobokuto, one of the traditional herbal medicines, is a known drug that has an effect on SLT. The efficacy of a short-term hangekobokuto treatment on SLT was evaluated. To assess whether a 2-week prescription of hangekobokuto improves SLT mainly in patients with respiratory diseases, a retrospective study was performed between April 2013 and August 2015. During the study period, a total of 43 patients were treated with hangekobokuto. Twelve (27.9%) of the 43 patients were reported to experience completely effective treatment (SLT completely disappeared), and 14 (32.6%) experienced moderately effective treatment (25-99% SLT disappeared). Patients with bronchial asthma and those without a medical history of respiratory disease exhibited a good response to hangekobokuto. No specific predictive factor of the response to hangekobokuto on SLT was identified in the multivariate regression analysis. Therefore, the present results suggested that hangekobokuto could be one of the treatment choices for uncontrolled SLT.

Hangekobokuto, a traditional Japanese herbal medicine, ameliorates postoperative ileus through its anti-inflammatory action

“…Hangekobokuto (HKT) effectively improves abnormal pharyngeal sensation, gastrointestinal upset, and functional dyspepsia or abdominal bloating caused by mental anxiety and nervousness ( 10 , 11 , 12 ). A Kampo formulation including HKT was found to be effective in patients with POI ( 13 ).…”

A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial to Determine the Preventive Effect of Hangekobokuto on Aspiration Pneumonia in Patients Undergoing Cardiovascular Surgery

“…5) HKT also modulates the cerebral levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine, noradrenaline, dopamine, and SP. 21) Therefore, ACEI and HKT have been used for preventing aspiration pneumonia in patients with cerebral, respiratory, and other diseases. 4,5) In the present study, the relationship between HKT and SP was investigated in patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery, but there was no significant difference in the changes in SP levels in the saliva between the HKT and placebo groups.…”

Kampo, A Japanese Traditional Medicinal System for Psychiatric Conditions: A Narrative Review

“…Hangekobokuto is also used for globus hystericus. A retrospective chart-review of 43 patients with globus hystericus showed that a 2-week prescription of Hangekobokuto resulted in complete remission in 12 patients (27.9 %) and moderate improvement in 14 patients (32.6 %) [72]. Hangekobokuto is considered to modulate cerebral levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine, noradrenaline, dopamine, and substance-P, the last of which could improve swallowing function [56,73].…”