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Mishima-saiko Japanese Saiko Scientific name : Bupleurum falcatum Family : Umbelliferae Part used: Root Principal Use: Debility, run down states, immune dysfunction. Principal Actions: Adaptogenic tonic Historical and Traditional Uses of Mishima-saiko Mishima-saiko is native to Japan and can be found growing in the mountains and grasslands of the Japanese islands, though the plant does not grow on the north island. It is a perennial herb, and bears yellow umbelliferous flowers from August through to October. The roots are used in medicine and are harvested in November and December. Once dug and washed they are then dried in the sun. In Chinese medicine, "Saiko" refers to the root of one of ten or more different Bupleurum species and is a very important herb in traditional Chinese medicine. When Chinese medicine was introduced to Japan, Japanese healers noticed that their native plant, Bupleurum falcatum, was similar to Saiko. Due to the similarities between the plants, ancient Japanese healers renamed the Japanese native "Saiko". It was given the prefix ‘Mishima’ as this was the name of place the plant could be found growing. In time, Mishima-Saiko became a very important and indispensable medicine in Japan. We know this cultural interchange occurred long ago as records indicate Japanese farmers were cultivating Mishima-Saiko early in the tenth century. Indeed, Mishima was the centre of Saiko production. Because it was a very popular drug, cultivation was encouraged by the Japanese sovereigns who wanted to make certain a stable supply was available for their own medical needs! There was a time when people would make their way to Mishima for the express purpose of buying Mishima-saiko. The roots from this town were said to be of the highest quality and were reported to be superior to those of all other regions. The best roots were those harvested from the wild, collected from the grassland of the mountains. Due to urbanization, wild Mishima-saiko cannot be collected in Mishima. It is rare to see it growing wild anywhere in Japan today. For centuries, the quality of Japanese Saiko was thought to be superior to that grown in China and Korea. This was not just a Japanese notion, the medical communities in China and Korea also preferred the Japanese article and imported the drug from Japan. Today Japanese people use the Japanese drug even though Saiko imported from other Asian countries are a fraction of the cost! Mishima –saiko is primarily known as an adaptogenic tonic, used to improve general vitality. Beyond this general use, it is regarded as being anti-pyretic, analgesic, detoxifying, stomachic, diuretic, and tonic and is commonly used to treat amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, catarrh, deafness, diarrhea, dyspepsia, fever, flatulence, hepatitis, malaria, prolapsed uterus, vertigo, difficult breathing, congestion, alternating chills and fever, respiratory ailments, poor liver function, jaundice, stomach ache, vomiting, gastritis, and dysuria. The common denominator being all these conditions improve when vitality increases-which is what Mishima-saiko is said to do. Mishima-saiko is seen as an adaptogen tonic - generally strengthening the body and fortifying vitality. The Japanese feel that the drug makes a person healthier and with the improved health, all conditions improve. Rather than being used to treat one condition, it can be used to improve all conditions through its body strengthening capacity. The Science of Mishima-saiko Chemical Constituents Triterpenoids: (saponins, ca. 3%), saikosaponins A, B1~4, C, D, saikogenin E, F, G, f ,monoacetyosaikosaponins 1, 2, 3. steroids (ca. 0.07%): α-spinasterol, stigmasterol, stigmast-7-enol, stigmast-22-enol, stigmast-22-enol, β-D-glucopyranoide Fatty acids: ( stearic acid, oleic acid, palmitic acid, linolic acid, and linolenic acid) Coumarin derivatives The traditional Japanese view of this drug is as a health tonic; laboratory tests have revealed Mishima-saiko improves many body systems, which adds up to increased vitality. General Health Booster Mishima-saiko has been shown, in laboratory tests, to be anti-inflammatory, anti-pyretic, analgesic, anti-emetic, hypotensive and tranquilizing. Mishima-saiko was also reported to inhibit proliferation of human hepatocellular carcinoma cells and cholangiocarcinoma cells. Anti-inflammatory Mishima-saiko can reduce capillary permeability induced by histamine or 5-hydroxytryptamine, thereby reducing inflammation. Glucocorticoid activity has been reported for Mishima-saiko. In one clinical trial, Mishima-saiko was found effective at facilitating patients coming off steroid drugs. The study showed it can be used to wean physiologically addicted patients off steroids. Mishima-saiko has been found to potentiate glucocorticoids. Patients require less steroid drugs when taken with the herb. Mishima-saiko, with its steroid potentiating activity, has been in the treatment of nephrosis and asthma in clinical practice. Research indicates that the saiikosaponins are responsible for the steroid like activity of Mishima-saiko and that these substances sit on steroid receptors on cells. Anti Infection Experiments indicate that preparations of root of Bupleuri reduce temperature in upper respiratory infections. In an uncontrolled clinical trial involving 143 patients, 98% had a decrease in temperature 24 hours after the onset of the flu, and 88% were fever-free after one day. This indicates it may be a powerful anti-flu remedy! Another clinical trial showed it to be an effective fever reducer. Indeed, the trial showed that in just about any type of infection involving high temperatures, the drug was shown to bring the temperature down within 24 hours. No recurrences were observed in these patients. It is considered safe for children and pregnant women to use in cases of the common cold, influenza, and even malaria. Saikosaponin D has been shown to work on hypothalamus and anterior pituitary gland to secrete (ACTH) which in turn stimulates the adrenal cortices to product corticosteroids. Practitioners’ Opinion The traditional use of this plant is as a building tonic. Though it has been used to treat specific pathologies, its underlying use is a vitality booster. Modern practitioners feel Mishima-saiko is an ideal health supplement for the modern person whose lifestyle is less than healthy. It can help the body cope with the toxins and poor diet associated with modern living. It can also be used in a range of immunological abnormalities. It can be used in cases of hypo-immunity(chronic infections, poor resistance to coughs and colds), hyper-imunity(allergies, eczema, hay fever, and asthma), and in auto-immunity(rheumatoid arthritis and nephritis). It has a normalising effect on immune function and can be used when an immune stimulant or a immune depressant is required. Dosage Root powder 5g per day Tincture 1:1 5ml per day Tincture 1: 5 25ml per day
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