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Preparation of Herbal Medicine: Er-Xian Decoction and Er-Xian-containing Serum for In Vivo and In Vitro Experiments
Published on: May 31, 2017
A suspected case of somatic symptom disorder improved by herbal medicine: A case report
Seung Hwan Lee1, Chan-Young Kwon2
1Department of Korean Medicine, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, 02447, Republic of Korea; Tong-In Korean Medicine Clinic, Seoul, 03150, Republic of Korea.
Background And Purpose:
Somatic symptom disorder (SSD) refers to a significant impairment in daily activities due to a dysfunctional preoccupation with one or more physical symptoms. This study reports the effectiveness of herbal medicine (HM) on SSD patient.
Materials And Methods:
A 58-year-old woman had somatic atypical gastrointestinal symptoms for 5 years; i.e., an uncomfortable feeling going from the stomach to the ear as well as related severe anxiety. A Korean medicine (KM) doctor presumed she had SSD and phlegm-dampness syndrome, consequently, Xiao Ban Xia Jia Fu Ling Tang was administered. Her anxiety symptoms were rated using the numerical rating scale and the Beck anxiety inventory.
Results:
The somatic symptoms originating in the stomach and chest, as well as the severe anxiety, improved markedly after 2 months of KM treatment.
Conclusion:
HMs used for treating phlegm-dampness syndrome may be effective in treating conditions involving somatic symptoms and related anxiety.
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