Disclosed are a sympathetic inhibitor allowing more effective inhibition of activity of a sympathetic nerve, as well as a cosmetic composition, a food, and a sundry article containing the same. Ethyl 4-methoxybenzoate is efficacious for quieting down the activity of the sympathetic nerve. The sympathetic inhibitor, the cosmetic composition, the food and the sundry article containing the same enable more effective inhibition of the activity of the sympathetic nerve.