title: Effects of a traditional herbal medicine on peripheral blood flow in women experiencing peripheral coldness: a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In Japan, a traditional herbal medicine, Tokishigyakukagoshuyushokyoto (TJ-38), is often used for the treatment of peripheral coldness, which is a common complaint among Japanese women. However, the effects of this herbal medicine have yet to be examined in a randomized controlled trial. In the current study, the effect of TJ-38 on the peripheral blood flow in women experiencing peripheral coldness was investigated using a parallel-group randomized controlled trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-eight women aged 23 to 79 years with peripheral coldness were randomly divided into the intervention or control group. They were examined using cold bathing tests, physical examinations, and questionnaires in January 2010 for the baseline and in March 2010 for the follow-up, and January 2011 and March 2011, respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At the baseline, there were no differences in clinical characteristics between the two groups. In the intervention group, peripheral coldness improved after the intervention term; however, it persisted in the control group. Mean values of percentage recovery of the peripheral blood flow after cold bathing tests were 17.2% and -28.2% for the intervention and control groups, respectively (p = 0.007), and the proportions for percentage recovery of >50% were 32% and 0%, respectively (p = 0.0007). Mean values of percent recovery of skin temperature did not differ between the two groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present clinical trial supports that a traditional herbal medicine relieves peripheral coldness in women probably through the improvement of peripheral blood flow.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, Japanese Red Cross Wakayama Medical Center, Wakayama, Japan. nishida777@gmail.com.|Department of Kampo Medicine, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan. nishida777@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Shinji
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nishida
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan. eri_eguchi@okayama-u.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Eri
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Eguchi
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan. fwge1119@mb.infoweb.ne.jp.
authors.forename: Tetsuya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ohira
authors.affiliation: Public Health, Department of Social Medicine, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan. kitamura@pbhel.med.osaka-u.ac.jp.|Osaka Center for Cancer and Cardiovascular Diseases Prevention, Osaka, Japan. kitamura@pbhel.med.osaka-u.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Akihiko
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kitamura
authors.affiliation: Takarazuka City Health Promotion Center, Takarazuka, Japan. hakariya-kato@umin.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Yukiko Hakariya
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Kato
authors.affiliation: Department of Kampo Medicine, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan. hagihara.keisuke@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Keisuke
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hagihara
authors.affiliation: Osaka Center for Cancer and Cardiovascular Diseases Prevention, Osaka, Japan. iso@pbhel.med.osaka-u.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Hiroyasu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Iso
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001833:Body Temperature Regulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D003080:Cold Temperature; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D029001:Herbal Medicine; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008519:Medicine, Traditional; D008875:Middle Aged; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000187:drug effects*; D012867:Skin / Q000098:blood supply / Q000187:drug effects*; D012881:Skin Temperature / Q000187:drug effects*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal