The History of Sho-saiko-to.
10.3937/kampomed.48.301
- VernacularTitle:小柴胡湯の来歴
- Author:
Shinyu NUNOME
;
Yasuhiro KOMATSU
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Sho-saiko-to;
‘Shokanron’ shoyobyo;
Kampo Medicine
- From:Kampo Medicine
1997;48(3):301-318
- CountryJapan
- Language:Japanese
-
Abstract:
Sho-saiko-to, a prescription composed of seven crude drugs, is one of the most popular Kampo formulas in clinical use. Recently, the side effects of Sho-saiko-to have become an issue. To gain perspective on this problem, the authors searched the indications and pharmacological characteristics of the Sho-saiko-to as noted in ancient Chinese and Japanese medical texts.
Sho-saiko-to was first described in the ‘Shokanron’ (_??__??__??_); ‘Shang Han Lun’; ‘Treatise on Damaging Cold’), which contains are over ten references to this formula. It is recommended for a variety of conditions, but its most fundamental usage was for exogenous febrile diseases. The meaning of some of the indications are still somewhat vague.
In China, the crude drug composition and clinical use of Sho-saiko-to gradually changed over the years. In Japan, Sho-saiko-to has been in use since the Kamakura era. In the Edo era, it was mainly used for complaints of alternative spells of fever and chills, a feeling of fullness and discomfort in the chest and hypochondrium, lack of appetite and vomiting.
Sho-saiko-to has been in use for centuries and is still a very useful prescription. However, the classical medical texts also indicate that adverse reactions will result if this formula is not prescribed properly following accurate Kampo diagnosis.
