Table of Contents

• What is Kakkonto
• The 7 Herbal Ingredients in Kakkonto
• Effects of Kakkonto
  • Insomnia
  • Eye Discomfort
  • Sore Throat
  • Cough
• Who Should Avoid Using Kakkonto

What is Kakkonto?

Kakkonto is a traditional herbal medicine effective for early-stage cold symptoms. It is one of the formulas described in the ancient Chinese medical text "Shanghan Lun." Widely used in Japan and Taiwan, Kakkonto is now commonly available as an over-the-counter medicine.

It is typically used at the beginning of a cold, when symptoms include "chills and fever without sweating," "stiff shoulders and neck," and "headache or muscle pain." The formula warms the body and promotes sweating to expel external cold pathogens, thereby improving symptoms.

Kakkonto consists of seven herbal ingredients (Pueraria Root, Ephedra, Cinnamon Twig, Peony Root, Licorice Root, Ginger, and Jujube), each contributing to effects such as promoting perspiration, improving blood circulation, relaxing muscle tension, and regulating digestion.

Pueraria Root (Kakkon) is especially known for relieving stiffness in the neck and shoulders and is expected to be effective for shoulder stiffness and tension-type headaches.

However, caution is needed for those who are already sweating or have weak physical constitution (deficiency pattern). Due to the sympathetic nervous system stimulation from Ephedra, individuals with high blood pressure or insomnia tendencies should use Kakkonto with care.

The 7 Herbal Ingredients in Kakkonto

Herb Name	Main Effects and Role
Pueraria Root (Kakkon)	Relieves muscle stiffness, promotes blood circulation and sweating. Especially effective for shoulder and neck pain.
Ephedra (Mao)	Strongly promotes sweating, relieves chills and fever. Also effective for cough by widening the bronchial tubes. Use with caution due to stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system.
Cinnamon Twig (Keishi)	Warms the body and improves blood circulation. Alleviates cold-related pain and chills.
Peony Root (Shakuyaku)	Relaxes muscle tension, has pain-relieving and calming effects. Also helps regulate the digestive system.
Licorice Root (Kanzo)	Harmonizes other herbs. Has anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving, and cough-suppressing effects. Watch out for side effects such as swelling.
Ginger (Shokyo)	Warms the stomach and aids digestion. Promotes sweating and improves cold sensitivity. Effective for colds and nausea.
Jujube (Taiso)	Regulates digestive function and boosts energy. Also helps stabilize the mind and modulate the immune system.

Effects of Kakkonto

Insomnia

Kakkonto is primarily used for early-stage cold symptoms and stiff shoulders, but depending on the individual's constitution and symptoms, it may also help with insomnia. It is considered effective for people who cannot sleep due to stiffness in the shoulders or neck, cold sensitivity, or mild headaches.

The herbs Peony Root and Licorice Root help relax muscle tension, which may indirectly promote sleep by encouraging relaxation. However, since Ephedra stimulates the sympathetic nervous system, it may cause insomnia in sensitive individuals or if taken at night. Caution is advised.

If you're aiming to treat insomnia at its root, it's more appropriate to consider herbal formulas tailored specifically to your constitution and sleep issues.

Herbal Formula Effective for Insomnia (When caused by stiff shoulders, cold sensitivity, or mild headache)

Eye Discomfort

Kakkonto is not a direct treatment for eye diseases, but it may provide indirect relief for certain eye discomforts. It can help with symptoms like eye fatigue, pressure around the eyes, and a heavy feeling in the eyes caused by early cold symptoms or shoulder and neck stiffness.

Herbs like Pueraria Root and Peony Root help relax neck and shoulder tension, improving circulation and relieving muscle-tension-related eye fatigue.

However, it is not suitable for treating inflammation or diseases of the eyes themselves, such as dry eye or conjunctivitis. If your eye symptoms are related to shoulder stiffness or cold sensitivity, Kakkonto may be a reasonable choice.

Recommended Herbal Formula for Eye Discomfort (When linked to shoulder stiffness and cold sensitivity)

Sore Throat

Kakkonto is effective for sore throat symptoms, especially in the early stages of a cold accompanied by chills. It is most suitable when you feel a slight throat discomfort or mild pain.

Ephedra and Cinnamon Twig warm the body and promote sweating, expelling the cold pathogens responsible for inflammation. Licorice Root provides anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects, helping to protect the throat mucosa and alleviate pain.

However, it is not suitable for more advanced sore throats with strong inflammation or redness. In such cases, formulas like Yin Qiao San or Jie Geng Tang are more appropriate. Kakkonto is best suited for mild throat discomfort that appears with chills.

Recommended Herbal Formula for Sore Throat

Cough

Kakkonto is useful for early-stage colds with symptoms such as chills, no sweating, and a mild cough. Ephedra helps to open the bronchial tubes and promote the expulsion of phlegm.

Licorice Root has cough-suppressing, expectorant, and anti-inflammatory properties. It helps protect the throat mucosa and reduce the frequency of coughing.

However, Kakkonto is not suitable for coughs accompanied by fever, inflammation, or yellow phlegm. In such cases, formulas with heat-clearing effects, such as Ma Xing Gan Shi Tang, are more effective.

Kakkonto is best suited for dry coughs caused by cold, helping to warm the body and prevent symptoms from worsening.

Recommended Herbal Formula for Cough

Who Should Avoid Using Kakkonto

Kakkonto is widely used for early cold symptoms, shoulder stiffness, and chills, but it is not suitable for everyone. Improper use may worsen your condition. Please note the following:

1. People Who Are Already Sweating or Have Low Vitality (Deficiency Pattern)

Kakkonto is intended for early colds with chills and no sweating. If you are already sweating or have low physical strength, it may cause excessive sweating and deplete your energy.

2. People with High Blood Pressure, Heart Disease, or Insomnia Tendency

Ephedra stimulates the sympathetic nervous system, which can increase blood pressure and heart rate. Use with caution if you have hypertension, heart disease, or insomnia tendencies.

3. Pregnant or Breastfeeding Women

Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid taking Kakkonto without medical supervision, as it may cause uterine contractions or affect the fetus.