That means some supplement products may not contain what the label says.
Typical Ingredients
As an herbal blend, Xiao Yao San contains several herbs and plants.
The dried ingredients of Xiao Yao San can be hand-blended or purchased as a dietary supplement.
Verywell / Anastasia Tretiak
No supplement is intended to treat, cure, or prevent disease.
A 2012 review of Xiao Yao San evaluated 26 high-quality trials involving 1,837 people withdepression.
Researchers concluded that Xiao Yao San appeared to improve depression when taken alone or with an antidepressant.
Xiao Yao San was also found to have fewer side effects than antidepressants.
However, little is understood about how it may work to do so.
However, researchers believe that more rigorous studies are needed to confirm these results.
According to the study, low levels of allopregnanolone have been previously linked to PTSD symptoms.
Researchers found that both compounds appeared to alter pathways in the brain that are associated with PTSD.
Oxidative stress is damage caused to cells by unstable atoms known as free radicals.
In the brain, this can lead to neuroinflammation and an increased risk of depression.
However, it was noted that more long-term human trials on the subject should be conducted.
Despite the positive findings, there was a lack of high-quality studies in these reviews.
Further research should be conducted.
The Chinese herb was also found to improve the overall quality of life ofIBSpatients who took it.
In the review, Xiao Yao San alone or with medication reduced IBS symptoms, including anxiety.
Still, it is best to consult your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement or herbal preparation.
Supplement use should not replace or delay the standard of care for any health condition.
Insomnia
People who have long-term insomnia can also experience anxiety and depression.
Researchers conducted a meta-analysis that included nine clinical trials and 681 patients.
They concluded that Xiao Yao San combined with medication and taken alone improved sleep quality.
The researchers concluded that Xiao Yao San combined with medication and taken alone relieved anxiety.
Infertility is a common complication of PCOS.
A review evaluated the effects of acupuncture and herbal medicine on PMS.
What Are the Side Effects of Xiao Yao San?
Xiao Yao San is generally regarded as safe.
However, consuming Xiao Yao San may have potential side effects.
Typically, possible side effects are mild and should resolve with time.
To best avoid side effects, use Xiao Yao San only as directed.
Severe Side Effects
Severe side effects of Xiao Yao San have not been reported.
Although severe side effects have not yet been reported, they may still be possible.
Talk with your healthcare provider about how to use Xiao Yao San safely.
Precautions
The precautions of Xiao Yao San are not well documented.
But like with any herb or supplement, Xiao Yao San may not be safe for some people.
Verywell / Anastasia Tretiak
Dosage: How Much Xiao Yao San Should I Take?
There is no universal recommended dose for Xiao Yao San.
Therefore, Xiao Yao San brands may have different dosage instructions.
What Happens If I Take Too Much Xiao Yao San?
Xiao Yao San is not thought to be toxic.
There are no documented reports of toxicity or overdose for Xiao Yao San.
To avoid potential side effects, only take Xiao Yao San as directed.
Interactions
Xiao Yao San may interact with certain medications, supplements, and foods.
However, possible interactions are not well documented.
This means it’s unknown which medicines,supplements, and foods may interact with Xiao Yao San.
Before starting Xiao Yao San, tell your healthcare provider what medications and other supplements you are taking.
How to Store Xiao Yao San
It’s important to properly store supplements to keep them fresh.
Xiao Yao San supplements should be stored in a cool, dry place.
They should also be kept out of direct sunlight.
It is typically not necessary to refrigerate Xiao Yao San.
You should throw away Xiao Yao San supplements after they have reached their expiration date.
Similar Supplements
Xiao Yao San has many potential uses and may work similarly to other supplements.
However, you should only take one supplement at a time for a single health condition.
Talk with your healthcare provider about the best option for you.
There are many things to consider when shopping for Xiao Yao San.
Since Xiao Yao San is a mixture of many herbs, it is not naturally found in foods.
Fortunately, there are many options for Xiao Yao San supplements.
These can easily be found online, at many natural food stores, and in specialty herbalist shops.
These certifying bodies ensure that supplements are pure and only contain the ingredients listed on the product label.
Xiao Yao San is generally considered safe and has few reported side effects.
However, despite centuries of use, the evidence supporting Xiao Yao San remains relatively weak.
Consult your healthcare provider or a licensed TCM practitioner before taking Xiao Yao San.
Remember that supplements should not serve as a replacement for standard medical care for any health condition.
Frequently Asked Questions
It’s unclear if Xiao Yao San relievespremenstrual syndrome (PMS)symptoms.
More research should be conducted to learn if Xiao Yao San is beneficial for PMS.
There are various translations.
The most common is “happy and carefree powder.”
Chen J, Lei C, Li X, et al.
Research progress on classical traditional Chinese medicine formula xiaoyaosan in the treatment of depression.Front Pharmacol.
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Published 2014 Jan 10. doi:10.1186/1472-6882-14-11
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.Licorice root.
2019;98(4):e14241.
2017;40(3):607-613. doi:10.3892/ijmm.2017.3072
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Traditional chinese medicine.
