Table 4.

Possible mechanisms of action or effects of frequently used CHPs for the treatment of hyperthyroidism.

Formula CHPs	Components	Mechanisms or effects
Jia-Wei-Xia-Yao-San	Radix Bupleurum chinensis Rhizoma Atractylodis macrocephalae Radix Paeoniae alba Radix Angelica sinensis Radix Glycyrrhizae Poria cocos Radix Glycyrrhizae Radix Glycyrrhizae Herba Menthae Cortex Moutan Fructus Gardeniae Rhizoma Zingiberis Recens	Sedative and antidepressive effects [32]; decreases the cardiovascular manifestations of hyperthyroidism [33]; maintains a euthyroid state in patients with hyperthyroidism [15]
Zhi-Gan-Cao Tang	Panax ginseng Cinnamomum cassia Presl Zingiber officinale Rosc. Rehmannia glutinosa Libosch Ophiopogon japonicus (L.f.) Ker-Gawl. Cannabis sativa L. Colla corii asini Radix Glycyrrhiza	Treatment for premature ventricular contractions [36]; prolongs field action potential duration in patients with atrial fibrillation [37]; decreases supraventricular arrhythmia and premature ventricular contraction [38]
Tian-Wang-Bu-Xin-Dan	Rehmannia glutinosa Angelica sinensis Schisandra chinensis Ziziphus zizyphus Platycladus orientalis Asparagus cochinchinensis Ophiopogon japonicus Scrophularia ningpoensis Polygala tenuifolia Salvia miltiorrhiza Codonopsis pilosula Poria coco Platycodon grandiflorum	Improving insomnia [39]
Zhi-Bo-Di-Huang-Wan	Anemarrhena asphodeloides Phellodendron amurense Rehmannia glutinosa Cornus officinalis Dioscorea polystachya Alisma plantago-aquatica Poria cocos Cortex Moutan Radicis	Improving clinical symptoms, serum thyroid hormone levels, and serum antioxidant activity indexes in hyperthyroidism [40]
Zhen-Ren-Huo-Ming-Yin	Lonicerae japonicae flos Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium Angelicae sinensis Radix Saposhnikoviae Radix Angelicae dahuricae Radix Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma Fritillariae ussuriensis bulbus Trichosanthis Radix Olibanum Myrrha Gleditsiae Spina	Ameliorating thymic enlargement in hyperthyroidism [41]
Single CHPs
Xia-Ku-Cao	Prunella vulgaris	Reduces swelling and resolves hard lumps; possesses antitumor and possible immunomodulation effects [42]; possesses anti-inflammatory effects and is used to treat diseases due to excessive activation of the complement system [43, 44]
Dan-Shen	Radix Salviae miltiorrhizae	Exhibits antioxidant, antiproliferative, and antiadipogenic effects [45]; used to treat Graves' orbitopathy [46, 47]
Xuan-Shen	Scrophularia ningpoensis Hemsl.	Possesses potent antioxidative activity [48] and antiangiogenic activity [49, 50]
Bei-Mu	Bulbus Fritillariae cirrhosae	Possesses selective activity against muscarinic receptors and influences secretions from the thyroid gland [51]
Mu-Li	Oyster shell	Softens hardness and dissipates nodules according to TCM theory; treatment for subacute thyroiditis and hyperthyroid heart disease [52, 53]