Research on Xiao Chai Hu Tang in the Japanese Kampo Community, February 20, 1995

Research on Xiao Chai Hu Tang in the Japanese Kampo Community, February 20, 1995

In 1985, the top five manufacturers of Kampo patent medicines in Japan were, in order: Xiao Chai Hu Wan, Ba Wei Wan, Bu Zhong Yi Qi Wan, Xiao Qing Long Wan, and Xiao Yao Wan; by 1988, the top ten were: Xiao Chai Hu, Ba Wei, Bu Zhong, Xiao Yao, Xiao Qing Long, Da Chai Hu, Dang Gui Shao Yao, Gui Zhi Fu Ling, Chai Hu Gui Zhi, and Chai Hu Jia Long Gu Mu Li. From this, it can be seen that Xiao Chai Hu has always been the most prominent.

Xiao Chai Hu Tang in Japan is mainly used to treat various types of hepatitis. Amagai Sakae proved that Xiao Chai Hu has a clear hepatoprotective effect and is effective for all types of hepatitis, specifically reducing enzyme levels and preventing fibrosis. Ogihara Yukio demonstrated that Xiao Chai Hu Tang can increase antibody production. When animals' antibodies decreased due to the use of prednisone, they increased again after taking Xiao Chai Hu Tang, providing evidence that Xiao Chai Hu Tang promotes the production of HBsAb. Matsuda Shigeso proved that Xiao Chai Hu Tang stimulates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis to produce hormonal effects without causing hormonal side effects.

Wen Bozi treated 130 patients with cirrhosis using Xiao Chai Hu Tang, compared with another 130 patients receiving conventional Western medicine treatment. The former group took Xiao Chai Hu Tang herbal powder at 7.5 g daily, divided into three doses. After three years of treatment, 26.1% of the treatment group developed liver cancer, compared with 35.0% in the control group, proving that Xiao Chai Hu has a preventive effect against liver cancer. Additionally, Ogihara Yukio reported that Xiao Chai Hu can also inhibit the proliferation and metastasis of liver cancer.

Fukuoka and Oda Sukeo pointed out that Xiao Chai Hu Tang can induce the body to produce interferon, promote the synthesis of albumin and glycogen, thereby reducing lipid peroxidation and combating fatty liver. Beyond its hepatoprotective effects, Xiao Chai Hu Tang can also treat rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, habitual abortion, biliary diseases, eczema, dermatitis, dry mouth syndrome, nocturnal enuresis, and snoring.

Some people have used Xiao Chai Hu Tang to treat AIDS and epilepsy, with Chai Hu Gui Zhi Tang being used for treating epilepsy. Experiments have shown that Xiao Chai Hu Tang can prevent the formation of epileptic foci in rats.