Research on Xiaochaihu Tang in the Japanese Kampo Community, February 20, 1995

Research on Xiaochaihu Tang in the Japanese Kampo Community, February 20, 1995

In 1985, the top five manufacturers of Kampo patent medicines in Japan were, in order: Xiaochaihu Wan, Bawei Wan, Buchong Yiqi Wan, Xiaoqinglong Wan, and Xiaoyao Wan; by 1988, the top ten were: Xiaochaihu, Bawei, Buchong, Xiaoyao, Xiaoqinglong, Dachaihu, Danggui Shaoyao, Guizhi Fuling, Chaihu Guizhi, and Chaihu Jia Longgu Muli. From this, it can be seen that Xiaochaihu has always been the leading choice.

Xiaochaihu Tang is primarily used in Japan to treat various types of hepatitis. Amagai Sakae demonstrated that Xiaochaihu has a clear hepatoprotective effect and is effective against all types of hepatitis, specifically reducing enzyme levels and preventing fibrosis. Ogihara Yukio proved that Xiaochaihu Tang can increase antibody production. When animals' antibodies were reduced by using prednisone, they increased again after being treated with Xiaochaihu Tang, providing evidence that Xiaochaihu Tang promotes the generation of HBsAb. Matsuda Shigeso showed that Xiaochaihu Tang stimulates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis to produce hormonal effects without causing hormonal side effects.

Wen Bozi treated 130 patients with cirrhosis using Xiaochaihu Tang, compared with another 130 patients receiving conventional Western medicine treatment. The former group took Xiaochaihu 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, demonstrating that Xiaochaihu has a preventive effect against liver cancer. Additionally, Ogihara Yukio reported that Xiaochaihu can also inhibit the proliferation and metastasis of liver cancer.

Fukuoka and Oda Sukeo pointed out that Xiaochaihu 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 benefits, Xiaochaihu Tang can also treat rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, habitual abortion, biliary diseases, eczema, dermatitis, xerostomia, nocturnal enuresis, snoring, and other conditions.

Some have used Xiaochaihu Tang to treat AIDS and epilepsy, with Chaihu Guizhi Tang being used for epilepsy. Experiments have shown that Xiaochaihu Tang can prevent the formation of epileptic foci in rats.