A traditional Chinese formula known as Jia Wei Xiao Yao Wan / San (aka Relaxx Plus) designed to support emotional health. It is also a recommended formula for tinnitus triggered by stress, overwork, and/or insomnia. This is one of the most popularly recommended formulas by practitioners and is often translated to “Free and Easy Wanderer Plus.” It can be used for acute situations, as well as for long-term use.
A number of studies have firmly established the efficacy of this formula in the treatment of a variety of mental health issues. A 2001 randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled study (1) found that for mild to moderate depression with anxiety, JWXY was as effective as Setraline (Zoloft), but its effect was felt sooner and was deemed to be safer and less expensive than its western medicine counterpart. A 2009 randomized, controlled study found that JWXY provided benefits to subjective sleep quality comparable to a benzodiazepine. Additionally, two animal studies from 2006 and 2012 (2,4) found that JWXY significantly reduced anxiety and stress behaviors and had protective effects on the immune system in the context of chronic stress in mice.
The JWXY herbal constituents bupleurum, peony, and poria cocos have all been included in formulas for anxiety going back as far as the 2nd-3rd century AD text, Treatise on Cold Damage. Indeed, the original indications for JWXY listed in the Song dynasty Prescriptions of the Bureau of Taiping People's Welfare Pharmacy, published in 1078, specifically include “vexation, fright and palpitations.” Thus, it is no surprise that these same herbs have also been shown to display anxiolytic and anti-depressive effects in modern scientific animal models (5, 6, 7). Though scientists are still trying to understand the specific mechanisms of action, some research points to the herbs’ ability to regulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the release of the “stress hormone” cortisol as a primary mechanism of action.
JWXY is also extremely safe—a systematic review of its base formula, Xiao Yao San, across 26 randomized trials involving 1837 patients, showed no adverse effects.
Instructions: Take 8 pills 2-3 times a day, preferably with warm water (2x is fine for mild cases, while 3x is recommended for moderate cases). Taking this at full dosage is recommended for the first 1-3 months.
Manufactured in a GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) facility and vegan.
Consult a doctor if you are on existing medication. Use with caution if pregnant.
References:
1. JWXY for mild to moderate depression with anxiety
a. JWXY and sertraline had the equivalent effect on HAMD at every interview point. JWXY was more effective at reducing the HAMA scores at the 2nd and 12th week, HAMD sleep disturbance subscale scores at the 8th and 12th week, and HAMA somatic anxiety subscale scores at the 12th week. The rate of adverse events in the two groups was the same.
b. Su R, Fan J, Li T, Cao X, Zhou J, Han Z, Ma Y. Jiawei Xiaoyao capsule treatment for mild to moderate major depression with anxiety symptoms: a randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, controlled, multicenter, parallel-treatment trial. J Tradit Chin Med. 2019 Jun;39(3):410-417. PMID: 32186013.
c. For mild to moderate depression with anxiety symptoms, JWXY could be as effective as sertraline in alleviating depressive symptoms. For anxiety symptoms, JWXY may be effective more quickly and with longer lasting effects than sertraline. In particular, it may also improve quality of sleep and somatic anxiety symptoms. JWXY is safe and cheaper than conventional antidepressants, and may be the first alternative choice for depression with anxiety symptoms.
2. Protection from chronic stress effect on immune system
a. Lab study
b. Blockage of HPAA by metyrapone intervention shows a significant protective effect on immune system in mice exposed to chronic emotional stress, and the JWXYP also exerts a similar protective effect against damages induced by chronic emotional stress.
c. Zhang Y, Wu ZY, Xiao J, Geng XF, Guo YX, Li SJ. [Effects of blockage of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal cortex axis by metyrapone and Jiawei Xiaoyao Pills on immune system in mice exposed to chronic emotional stress]. Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Xue Bao. 2006 Jul;4(4):363-7. Chinese. doi: 10.3736/jcim20060409. PMID: 16834972.
3. Improving psychological stress insomnia
a. A randomized controlled study was conducted in 33 patients with psychological stress insomnia. They were assigned to 4 groups, 4 in the TCM group treated with JXYP, 5 in the Western medicine (WM) group treated with Estazolam, 9 in the integrated medicine (IM) group treated with JXYP plus Estazolam, and 10 in the control group treated with placebo.
b. a significant increase of sleep efficacy (P < 0.05) and an increasing trend of TST (P > 0.05) were shown in the IM group, and an increasing trend of both in the TCM group (P > 0.05).
c. JXYP, combined with or without Estazolam, can improve the quality of sleep subjectively, and the combination of the two could enhance the efficacy of sleep in patients with psychological stress insomnia.
d. Li Y, Xu BY, Xiao F. [Effect of modified xiaoyaopowder for improving sleep in patients with psychological stress insomnia]. Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 2009 Mar;29(3):208-11. Chinese. PMID: 19548434.
4. Stress and depression reduction in mice study
a. Lee B, Yun HY, Shim I, Lee H, Hahm DH. Bupleurum falcatum prevents depression and anxiety-like behaviors in rats exposed to repeated restraint stress. J Microbiol Biotechnol. 2012 Mar;22(3):422-30. doi: 10.4014/jmb.1110.10077. PMID: 22450800.
b. Together, these results demonstrate that BF extract administration prior to restraint stress significantly reduces depression and anxiety-like behaviors, possibly through central adrenergic mechanisms, and they suggest a role for BF extract in the treatment of depression and anxiety disorders.
5. Anxiolytic effects of Mudanpi
a. Xiao Juan Mi, Si Wei Chen, Wen Juan Wang, Rui Wang, Yi Jing Zhang, Wei Jing Li, Yu Lei Li, Anxiolytic-like effect of paeonol in mice, Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior,Volume 81, Issue 3,2005,Pages 683-687, ISSN 0091-3057,
6. Anxiolytic and Anti-depressive effects of Chaihu
a. Lee B, Yun HY, Shim I, Lee H, Hahm DH. Bupleurum falcatum prevents depression and anxiety-like behaviors in rats exposed to repeated restraint stress. J Microbiol Biotechnol. 2012 Mar;22(3):422-30. doi: 10.4014/jmb.1110.10077. PMID: 22450800.
7. Anxiolytic Effects of Fuling
a. Zhang DD, Li HJ, Zhang HR, Ye XC. Poriacocos water-soluble polysaccharide modulates anxiety-like behavior induced by sleep deprivation by regulating the gut dysbiosis, metabolic disorders and TNF-α/NF-κB signaling pathway. Food Funct. 2022 Jun 20;13(12):6648-6664. doi: 10.1039/d2fo00811d. PMID: 35642970.
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