Bofutsushosan is prescribed through online consultation.
3,900 yen (tax included, shipping and consultation fees included) / Consultations available daily from 9:00 to 22:00, with same-day shipping possible.
What is Bofutsushosan?
Bofutsushosan is a herbal medicine that has both a laxative effect to improve bowel movements and a function to expel excess heat and waste products through sweating and diuresis. It is said to be suitable for people with a "sturdy build" who have strong physical strength and tend to accumulate fat around their abdomen.
The approved indications and effects are "various symptoms in people with a lot of subcutaneous fat in the abdomen and a tendency to constipation: accompanying symptoms of high blood pressure (palpitations, stiff shoulders, hot flashes), obesity, swelling, and constipation." It is a rare medical herbal preparation among weight loss drugs that officially includes obesity as an indication.
Recommended for people who:
- Have relatively strong physical strength and a sturdy build
- Tend to be constipated
- Are concerned about fat around their abdomen
- Sometimes experience stiff shoulders or hot flashes
Not suitable for people who:
- Have low physical strength or are thin
- Have a weak stomach and are prone to diarrhea
- Are elderly (as sweating and laxative effects can deplete physical strength)
- Have high blood pressure, heart disease, hyperthyroidism, prostatic hypertrophy, etc. (see the section on Ephedra below)
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding
18 crude drugs and 4 functions
Bofutsushosan is composed of 18 types of crude drugs and is designed to expel excess substances accumulated in the body through four routes.
| Function | Main Crude Drugs | Content |
|---|---|---|
| Diaphoresis | Ephedra, Schizonepeta, Ledebouriella | Expels excess heat through sweat |
| Purgation (bowel movements) | Rhubarb, Mirabilite | Stimulates the intestines and expels waste as stool |
| Diuresis | Talc, Atractylodes Rhizome | Expels water and waste products as urine |
| Clearing heat | Gypsum, Scutellaria, Gardenia, Forsythia | Cools down heat accumulated in the body |
The daily dose of 7.5g includes talc 3.0g, scutellaria 2.0g, licorice 2.0g, platycodon 2.0g, gypsum 2.0g, atractylodes rhizome 2.0g, rhubarb 1.5g, schizonepeta 1.2g, gardenia 1.2g, etc. (varies by product). Since it contains licorice, rhubarb, ephedra, and gardenia, the precautions described later are important.
Expected effects and how they manifest
Bofutsushosan is not a "fat-burning drug that works simply by taking it." It is a medicine that leads to results by expelling excess substances through bowel movements, sweating, and diuresis, and by adjusting the body's imbalances. It is more effective when combined with a review of diet and exercise.
| Period | Guideline |
|---|---|
| A few days to 1 week | Many people feel a change in bowel movements |
| 2-3 months | Period to evaluate changes in abdominal fat and body constitution |
| No change after 1 month of continued use | Your body constitution (sho) may not be suitable. Do not continue aimlessly; please consult us about switching. |
Kanpo (traditional Japanese herbal medicine) has a clear characteristic: "it works for those it suits, and it doesn't work for those it doesn't." Individual results may vary.
How to use the three types of diet Kanpo
The diet Kanpo treatments handled by our clinic are used differently depending on the patient's body constitution. Please check which type you are closer to.
| Bofutsushosan | Boiiogito | Daio-saikoto | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physical Strength | Strong physical strength (sturdy type) | Weak to normal (water retention type) | Strong physical strength (sturdy type) |
| Body Type Characteristics | Accumulation of fat around the abdomen / subcutaneous fat type | Fair skin, plump, soft muscles | Solid build, fullness in the pit of the stomach |
| Concerning Symptoms | Constipation, hot flashes, stiff shoulders | Swelling, sweating, fatigue | Stress, irritability, stiff shoulders, constipation |
| Main Functions | Expulsion through sweating, diuresis, and bowel movements | Removes excess fluid | Regulates the flow of energy and promotes bowel movements |
The doctor will determine the appropriate prescription based on your medical history and examination.
Our doctor will select and deliver the best medicine for your body type.
Differences from other diet medications
| Type | Mechanism of action | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|
| Diet Kanpo | Regulates body constitution, bowel movements, and water balance | Those who are reluctant to take strong medication, tend to be constipated, or are prone to swelling |
| Metformin | Suppresses glucose production and improves insulin sensitivity | Those who want to continue gradually and affordably for a long time |
| SGLT2 inhibitors | Expels excess sugar as urine | Those who eat a lot of rice, noodles, or sweets |
| Xenical | Suppresses fat absorption | Those who eat a lot of fried or fatty foods |
| Rybelsus / Mounjaro | Suppresses appetite and maintains satiety | Those who want to suppress appetite itself or lose a significant amount of weight |
Since the mechanisms of action differ, we may combine Kanpo, which regulates body constitution, with other treatments. Please consult us during your examination about the possibility of concurrent use.
How to take
- Take the daily dose divided into 2-3 times, before meals or between meals (on an empty stomach).
- The doctor will adjust the dosage according to your constitution and condition. If your stools become too loose, the dosage can be adjusted by reducing it.
- If you miss a dose, do not take two doses at once; return to your usual schedule from the next dose.
- Since it has diaphoretic and diuretic effects, please drink water frequently.
Side effects and precautions
Main side effects
| Symptom | Description and Management |
|---|---|
| Diarrhea, soft stools, abdominal pain | Caused by the purgative effect of rhubarb. The intensity of the effect varies among individuals. If the effect is too strong, the dosage can be adjusted by reducing it, so please consult us instead of discontinuing on your own. |
| Loss of appetite, stomach discomfort, nausea | These symptoms are common in people with sensitive stomachs. If they persist, please consult us. |
| Palpitations, tachycardia, insomnia, excessive sweating, mental excitation | Caused by the sympathomimetic effect of Ephedra (see below) |
| Urinary dysfunction | Effect of Ephedra. Special caution is needed for those with prostatic hypertrophy. |
| Pseudoaldosteronism, myopathy | Caused by licorice. Low potassium levels, increased blood pressure, swelling, weight gain, numbness and weakness in limbs. If these appear, stop taking the medicine and consult us. |
| Rash, itching (rare) | Stop taking and seek medical attention. |
Precautions due to containing Ephedra (Maō)
Bofutsushosan contains Ephedra (Maō). Ephedra contains ephedrine-like substances and stimulates the sympathetic nervous system, which can increase the likelihood of insomnia, excessive sweating, tachycardia, palpitations, general weakness, and mental excitation when combined with the following medications or products:
- Other Kanpo medicines containing Ephedra (e.g., Kakkonto, Shoseiryuto, Maoto)
- Ephedrine-like substances found in over-the-counter cold and nasal medicines (e.g., pseudoephedrine, dl-methylephedrine)
- MAO inhibitors, thyroid hormone preparations, catecholamine preparations, xanthine derivatives such as theophylline
Overlapping with over-the-counter medications can be difficult to notice on your own. Please be sure to inform us of any over-the-counter medications or supplements you are currently taking during your consultation.
Precautions for long-term use (Mesenteric Venosclerosis)
Gardenia (Sanshishi), contained in Bofutsushosan, is known to cause mesenteric venosclerosis, which involves abnormal colon color, edema, erosions, ulcers, and strictures, with long-term use (often 5 years or more). Cases requiring intestinal resection have also been reported.
- If you experience recurring abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, or abdominal distension, stop taking the medicine and consult us.
- Please also consult us if your stool occult blood test is positive during a health checkup.
- For those continuing long-term, we recommend regular CT scans and colonoscopies.
Serious side effects
Although rare, if any of the following symptoms appear, discontinue use and seek medical attention promptly:
- Interstitial pneumonia: cough, shortness of breath/difficulty breathing, fever
- Liver dysfunction/jaundice: severe fatigue, loss of appetite, yellowing of whites of eyes or skin, dark urine
Concomitant use with other Kanpo medicines and drugs
- When combining with other Kanpo preparations, please be careful about overlapping crude drugs. In particular, concomitant use with preparations containing rhubarb may result in excessively strong laxative effects.
- Concomitant use with Kanpo medicines containing licorice (e.g., Shakuyakukanzoto, Hochuekkito, Yokukansan) or preparations containing glycyrrhizinic acid increases the risk of pseudoaldosteronism.
- Since this product contains sodium sulfate, caution is required for continued use by those who need to restrict dietary salt for medical treatment.
- For breastfeeding mothers, components of rhubarb may transfer to breast milk and cause diarrhea in the infant.
We recommend in-person consultation in the following cases:
- Patients being treated for high blood pressure or heart disease
- Patients with thyroid disease or prostatic hypertrophy
- If symptoms such as swelling, palpitations, or severe weakness occur
- If abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, or abdominal distension occurs repeatedly
- Patients who are taking other herbal medicines, over-the-counter drugs, or supplements and are concerned about drug interactions
Fees and prescription process
3,900 yen (tax included, including shipping and consultation fees). No additional consultation or shipping fees apply. Our online consultation is a private medical service, so health insurance is not applicable.
| STEP | Content |
|---|---|
| 1. Order and Pre-consultation Questionnaire | Place your order online, then fill out the questionnaire about your body type and symptoms. Please accurately inform us of any medications, over-the-counter drugs, Kanpo medicines, or supplements you are currently taking. |
| 2. Online Consultation | The doctor will confirm your body type (sho), medical history, and concomitant medications, then determine the appropriateness of the prescription and the suitable prescription. |
| 3. Shipping | Ships as early as the same day. Delivered in discreet packaging to protect your privacy. |
| 4. Continuation | We also support continuous purchases and subscription services. |
Start by consulting us about your body type.
Frequently Asked Questions
設備施設のご紹介
受付