Achievements and Future Challenges of Crude Drug “Paeoniae Radix” Cultivation in Ibara City, Okayama Prefecture

Masahiro SAKATA; Shigeki HAYASHI; Kento TAKAYAMA; Kiyoshi MORIMOTO; Akira KIKUCHI; Nayu KASHIYAMA; Kouichi NAKAYAMA

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Achievements and Future Challenges of Crude Drug “Paeoniae Radix” Cultivation in Ibara City, Okayama Prefecture

VernacularTitle:岡山県井原市における薬用植物「芍薬：べにしずか」栽培実績と今後の課題について
Author: Masahiro SAKATA ¹ ; Shigeki HAYASHI ² ; Kento TAKAYAMA ³ ; Kiyoshi MORIMOTO ⁴ ; Akira KIKUCHI ⁵ ; Nayu KASHIYAMA ⁶ ; Kouichi NAKAYAMA ⁶
Author Information

1. National Hospital Organization Fukuyama Medical Center
2. Hokkaido Division, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition, Research Center for Medical Plant Resources
3. Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Fukuyama University
4. Harenokuniokayama, Subcommittee of Ibara City for Medical Plant Resources, Japan Agricultural Cooperatives
5. Division of Community Activity Promotion, Ibara City Office
6. Division of Agriculture and Forestry, Ibara City Office
Keywords: crude drug; Ibara City; Paeoniae radix; benishizuka
From:Kampo Medicine 2025;76(2):128-139
CountryJapan
Language:Japanese
Abstract: In recent years, expectations and demand for Japanese Kampo medicines have increased in Japan. However, the self-sufficiency rate of raw materials for crude drugs in Japan is approximately 10%, with most imported from China. Although discussions on the domestic production of raw materials are gaining momentum, achieving self-sufficiency of crude drugs for Kampo preparation poses several challenges, including production costs, sales channels, and distribution prices. However, it is well-known that a diverse array of crude drugs can be cultivated in the Japanese climate. Since 2013, Ibara City in Okayama Prefecture has been promoting a medicinal plant cultivation project to utilize fallow land effectively. Currently, we have achieved successful cultivation of ‘benishizuka,’ a medicinal peony known as Paeoniae radix, with sufficient quality. However, the present circumstances in Japan limit its sales channels for medical use. The project initiated by Ibara City has evolved from its inception, primarily involving farmers, the government, and national research institutes, to now encompass an unprecedented collaboration among medical professionals as well as local construction companies and a local university. This transformation has propelled Ibara City’s various new medicinal plant cultivation businesses into a new phase of development. In this report, we investigated the local history and climate from the perspective of a Kampo medicine practitioners and discuss the path to successful peony cultivation. Additionally, we delve into the innovations and outcomes pertaining to peony cultivation. Moreover, we report the challenges and prospects for the domestic production of crude drugs for Kampo preparation from the perspective of multiple professions.