Ancient Herbal Decoction Can Improve Cognitive Function, Study Shows
Liu Jun Zi Tang, also known as the Six Major Herb Combo Decoction, is an enduring herbal prescription used in China and South Korea for more than 500 years. Historically, the decoction’s primary use has been to treat functional dyspepsia and depression—but a recent study of Korean medicine, published in the international academic journal Frontiers in Pharmacology on Oct. 26, 2022, has confirmed it is also effective in improving cognitive function. The research team of Dr. Ko Young from the Korean Medical Technology Application Center of the Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine has confirmed that the decoction improves cognitive function and can be applied in dementia treatment. Liu Jun Zi Tang is composed of ginseng, Atractylodes macrocephala, Poria cocos, licorice, tangerine peel, pinellia, ginger, and jujube. Mild in nature, and with no side effects it can enhance digestion, absorption, and immune function. It can also promote expectoration, relieve cough, and is applicable in treating stomach, duodenal ulcers, gastritis, emphysema, asthma, and chronic bronchitis. In modern pharmacology, ginseng, the main ingredient in the decoction, can improve immunity and protect the cardiovascular system. It can effectively strengthen the central nervous system, stabilize one’s spirit, eliminate fatigue, enhance memory, and improve insomnia and memory loss symptoms such as dementia. The second ingredient, Atractylodes macrocephala, in addition to its efficacy as anti-tumor, anti-inflammation, and regulating the gastrointestinal tract, and is also effective in anti-aging and anti-senile dementia effects. Poria cocos, regulates the urinary system, is anti-tumor, anti-inflammation, improves memory, and sedation. The research team conducted experiments on cells and animals using the decoction and found that it exhibits new positive results for cognitive behavior, inhibition of nerve cell damage, and activating the factors in new nerve cell growth. Through induced neurotoxicity in rat hippocampal cells, the team confirmed that the decoction could protect those cells, thus preventing damage to mitochondrial function and reducing oxidative stress. In another animal model with natural cognitive decline, it was confirmed that the decoction has the effect of improving cognitive behavior, protecting nerve cells in hippocampal tissue, and improving the effect of acetylcholine signaling. The research team concluded that the decoction could increase the secretive signal of neurotrophic brain derivated neurotrophic factor) from the brain, which helps nerve cells grow and survive, thereby protecting nerve cells. The team expects that using the decoction, which has been proven safe, can greatly reduce the cost of clinical trials. As a follow-up, there is a distinct possibility of developing a therapeutic agent for dementia based on Korean medicine. Ko Young said, “I plan to continue to find new effects of improving cognitive function from herbal medicine in the future and conduct research that can be used to prevent and treat dementia. Lisa Bian is a Korea-based writer for The Epoch Times focusing on Korean society, its culture, and international relations.
Udumbara
Liu Jun Zi Tang, also known as the Six Major Herb Combo Decoction, is an enduring herbal prescription used in China and South Korea for more than 500 years.
Historically, the decoction’s primary use has been to treat functional dyspepsia and depression—but a recent study of Korean medicine, published in the international academic journal Frontiers in Pharmacology on Oct. 26, 2022, has confirmed it is also effective in improving cognitive function.
The research team of Dr. Ko Young from the Korean Medical Technology Application Center of the Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine has confirmed that the decoction improves cognitive function and can be applied in dementia treatment.
Liu Jun Zi Tang is composed of ginseng, Atractylodes macrocephala, Poria cocos, licorice, tangerine peel, pinellia, ginger, and jujube.
Mild in nature, and with no side effects it can enhance digestion, absorption, and immune function.
It can also promote expectoration, relieve cough, and is applicable in treating stomach, duodenal ulcers, gastritis, emphysema, asthma, and chronic bronchitis.
In modern pharmacology, ginseng, the main ingredient in the decoction, can improve immunity and protect the cardiovascular system. It can effectively strengthen the central nervous system, stabilize one’s spirit, eliminate fatigue, enhance memory, and improve insomnia and memory loss symptoms such as dementia.
The second ingredient, Atractylodes macrocephala, in addition to its efficacy as anti-tumor, anti-inflammation, and regulating the gastrointestinal tract, and is also effective in anti-aging and anti-senile dementia effects.
Poria cocos, regulates the urinary system, is anti-tumor, anti-inflammation, improves memory, and sedation.
The research team conducted experiments on cells and animals using the decoction and found that it exhibits new positive results for cognitive behavior, inhibition of nerve cell damage, and activating the factors in new nerve cell growth.
Through induced neurotoxicity in rat hippocampal cells, the team confirmed that the decoction could protect those cells, thus preventing damage to mitochondrial function and reducing oxidative stress. In another animal model with natural cognitive decline, it was confirmed that the decoction has the effect of improving cognitive behavior, protecting nerve cells in hippocampal tissue, and improving the effect of acetylcholine signaling.
The research team concluded that the decoction could increase the secretive signal of neurotrophic brain derivated neurotrophic factor) from the brain, which helps nerve cells grow and survive, thereby protecting nerve cells.
The team expects that using the decoction, which has been proven safe, can greatly reduce the cost of clinical trials. As a follow-up, there is a distinct possibility of developing a therapeutic agent for dementia based on Korean medicine.
Ko Young said, “I plan to continue to find new effects of improving cognitive function from herbal medicine in the future and conduct research that can be used to prevent and treat dementia.
