Yizhi Ningshen Granules (YNG)
Specifically for Attention-deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
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Why it works for Attention-deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD):
Yizhi Ningshen Granules (益智宁神颗粒 / related “宁神” granule formulas) are a traditional-Chinese-medicine (TCM) herbal granule used in China to treat “heart/mind agitation” (安神) and have been studied in small clinical trials and animal studies for ADHD-like symptoms. The published evidence is promising but limited — mostly small, often single-center Chinese trials and animal studies with heterogeneous quality. There are no widely accepted large, high-quality international RCTs establishing YNG as a first-line ADHD therapy; use should be under guidance of a clinician and not as an unmonitored substitute for established ADHD care.
TCM rationale: formulas named “益智/宁神” are designed to “nourish the mind/brain” (益智) and “calm the spirit” (宁神). In TCM terms that maps to improving concentration, reducing restlessness and irritability — symptoms central to ADHD.
This is a traditional pharmacological rationale rather than a modern molecular mechanism. Max Book
Proposed modern mechanisms (from animal / preclinical studies and pharmacology reports): several TCM formulas used for ADHD reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity in ADHD animal models (e.g., spontaneously hypertensive rats — SHR), and some constituent herbs can affect neurotransmitter systems (dopamine, norepinephrine, GABA), neuroinflammation, or neurotrophic factors in preclinical work. A recent review/meta-analysis of TCM in ADHD animal experiments summarises these effects and mechanisms. These data support biological plausibility but are not proof of clinical efficacy in humans. ScienceDirect
Related clinical use: small clinical/observational studies in China report symptom improvements (attention, hyperactivity, TCM symptom scores) with “宁神” or “益智宁神” granules versus comparators or baseline. These are encouraging but generally limited by small size, variable controls, and reporting quality. Max Book
How to use for Attention-deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD):
- Formulation & administration form: herbal granules — usually supplied in single-dose sachets. Granules are dissolved in warm (not boiling) water and drunk. (General guide to taking Chinese herbal granules). Dantian Health
- Typical dosing patterns seen in Chinese product leaflets / common practice: many calming granules for children are given 1–3 times per day, dose adjusted by age/weight. Example (this is example for a related “宁神灵/颗粒” product): once ½–1 sachet for small children, 1 sachet for older children, 1–2 times per day; some adult regimens are 1 sachet twice daily. Do not assume this applies exactly to your product. Always check the product leaflet. 39药品通
- Duration: published clinical studies commonly treat for weeks to months and sometimes combine with behavioural interventions or conventional ADHD drugs; TCM practitioners may recommend a multi-week course before judging effect. (Study durations vary; see clinical sources below). Max Book
- How to integrate with standard ADHD care: many Chinese clinical reports combine the herbal formula with behavioral therapy or (in some studies) with stimulant medication. If someone is already on stimulants (e.g., methylphenidate), do not change or stop conventional medication without the prescribing physician’s approval — discuss any herbal addition with both the TCM practitioner and the child’s paediatrician/psychiatrist. (See warnings section.) Max Book
Where to look for a product’s exact instructions: manufacturer/product leaflet or major Chinese drug/medical portals (example: national drug info pages or the product instruction pages used in China). If you have a specific product box/leaflet, follow that. 39药品通
Scientific Evidence for Attention-deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD):
a. Systematic / review of TCM in ADHD (animal & trial evidence)
- A review/meta-analysis of TCM effects in ADHD animal models (summarises behavioural outcomes and proposed mechanisms). This gives preclinical biological plausibility but not clinical proof. ScienceDirect
b. Small clinical / observational trials in China
- Several clinical reports and theses describe use of “宁神颗粒 / 益智宁神颗粒” in children with ADHD (example: a clinical study collecting 96 children randomized into treatment vs control groups; outcomes reported symptom improvements though methodological limits exist). These are typically published in Chinese journals or as academic theses. Examples: clinical observation papers and master's theses available online. Max Book
c. Broader reviews of TCM clinical trials for ADHD
- A Chinese literature analysis of RCT outcome measures in TCM treatment for pediatric ADHD notes many small RCTs (151 papers in one retrieval) with heterogeneous outcome measures and follow-up. This review highlights the variability and the need for standardisation and higher-quality trials. BUCMLibrary
d. Related larger TCM clinical research (different indication)
- Note: related herbal granule formulas (e.g., Wujia Yizhi / 五加益智颗粒 / “Wujia Yizhi granules”) are in Phase-3 trials for Alzheimer disease in China — this shows active modern clinical development of some “益智” granule products, but it’s a different indication (dementia) and not evidence for ADHD. ClinicalTrials
Specific Warnings for Attention-deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD):
Main safety theme: herbal granules are not automatically safe just because they are “natural.” Risks include allergic reactions, variation in composition and quality between manufacturers, herb–drug interactions (important when combined with stimulants or other psychotropic drugs), product contamination (heavy metals, pesticides) when not properly regulated, and limited systematic safety data in long-term paediatric use.
Practical warnings (and sources):
- Quality & standardisation: different manufacturers and hospital-made formulas vary; clinical trials often use specific formulations. Consumer products may differ in dose and ingredients — check the exact product leaflet and manufacturer. Synapse
- Interactions with conventional ADHD medication: published clinical reports sometimes combine herbs with stimulants; because some herbs affect neurotransmitters or hepatic metabolism, co-administration can change efficacy or side-effect risk. Always inform the prescribing paediatrician/psychiatrist if adding herbal therapy. (General safety practice & examples from combined-therapy clinical reports.) Max Book
- Adverse events / monitoring: many small studies report few or no serious adverse events, but these studies are small and under-powered for rare events. Some granule products’ leaflets for related “宁神” granules list cautions: pregnancy, breastfeeding, cardiac disease, diabetes (some formulas contain sugar or tonics), allergic patients, and consultation with doctors for children. Monitor for GI upset, rash, changes in sleep/behaviour, or new symptoms and stop and consult if they occur. 39药品通
- Pregnancy / breastfeeding: avoid or use only on clinician advice — many herbals lack safety data in pregnancy. 39药品通
- Regulatory note: even when small trials report benefit, most evidence does not meet international standards for establishing a new therapeutic standard. Many TCM trials do not report long-term follow-up. BUCMLibrary
General Information (All Ailments)
What It Is
Yizhi Ningshen Granules is a Chinese patent formulation commonly used in the TCM domain for cognitive and neuropsychological complaints, typically things like poor concentration, forgetfulness, insomnia, irritability, anxiety-like states, mental fatigue. The formula varies by manufacturer but is usually composed of Chinese herbal components with “tonifying”, “calming”, and “phlegm-resolving” functions in TCM theory. The product is sold as granules to be dissolved in warm water.
How It Works
From a TCM-mechanistic lens:
The combination is thought to “tonify kidney essence and spleen qi”, “transform phlegm”, and “quiet the shen”, which is the classical framework used to justify effects on cognition, mood, and sleep. In this framework, forgetfulness and inattention often map to depletion of kidney/spleen or to phlegm misting the mind; agitation and insomnia map to disturbed shen.
From a plausible modern-biomedical lens (very general, highly dependent on actual ingredient set):
Herbs used in these types of formulas may contain constituents with anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, mild neurotrophic or neuroprotective, sedative-anxiolytic or adaptogenic effects; some may modulate HPA stress response, neurotransmission (GABAergic, monoaminergic tone), or microcirculation. These are hypothesized and not formula-specific without a named exact recipe.
Why It’s Important / When People Use It
People reach for YNG because it occupies a therapeutic niche between “no treatment” and “sedatives/psychotropics/clinical cognitive drugs”, especially in individuals reluctant to start prescription psychotropics. In practice it is used when subjective burden exists but the user prefers a traditional, gentle, or layered approach, or in conjunction with other modalities (sleep hygiene, CBT-I, stress reduction, psychotherapy, lifestyle, or medications). In some health systems in East Asia it is integrated into long-horizon care of chronic neuro-cognitive or psychiatric states in a step-wise or adjunctive fashion.
Considerations
- Evidence standards vary. Randomized controlled data are limited compared with conventional drugs; quality of evidence differs by brand, indication, and herb set.
- Formula heterogeneity. “Yizhi Ningshen Granules” is a brand/category label, not a unique molecule; ingredients and dosages differ; so effects and risks are not interchangeable across manufacturers.
- Drug–herb interactions. Sedating herbs can additive-sedate with CNS depressants, antihistamines, alcohol, benzodiazepines; others can alter metabolism of CYP-processed drugs depending on composition.
- Contra-indication patterns (TCM & biomedical). Some patterns (e.g., heat, phlegm-heat, mania, acute infection, uncontrolled metabolic disease) may be considered mismatched under TCM doctrine; biomedical contraindications depend on ingredients (e.g., pregnancy, hepatic/renal disease, psychiatric instability).
- Regulatory quality. Patent medicines vary in purity, standardization, adulteration risk, and heavy metal/contaminant status by jurisdiction; sourcing matters.
- Expectation management. Effects, if present, are typically modest and gradual; they are often intended as adjuncts, not solitary curatives.
Helps with these conditions
Yizhi Ningshen Granules (YNG) is most effective for general wellness support with emerging research . The effectiveness varies by condition based on clinical evidence and user experiences.
Detailed Information by Condition
Attention-deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Yizhi Ningshen Granules (益智宁神颗粒 / related “宁神” granule formulas) are a traditional-Chinese-medicine (TCM) herbal granule used in China to trea...
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