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Senburi Japanese Absinthe Scientific name: Swertia japonica Makino Family: Gentinaceae Part Used: Leaves and stems Principal Use: Indigestion, abdominal pain, diarrhea, dyspepsia Actions: Digestive bitter History and Traditional Uses of Senburi Senburi is a biennial herb native to Japan. It grows wild in sunny fields and bears small white flowers in the autumn. In medicine, the aerial parts are used. The above ground parts are harvested in the autumn when the plant is blooming and dried in the shade. Senburi is considered one of the five most medicinal herbs in Japan and is the most bitter of Japanese herbs. Its name, literally, means "still bitter after boiling one thousand times." Now that's what I call 'bitter'. Senburi represents a unique Japanese herbal medicine. It is registered in the Japanese Medicines Codex and is also approved by the Japanese Ministry of Welfare. Initially, it was used as insecticide to kill fleas and lice. One of the greatest herbalists in Japanese history, Kaibara Ekiken, recommended it be added to paper screens to deter insects. Three hundred years ago people started using it as a medicine. Since then Senburi has become a bitter digestive stimulant everybody knows and loves. It is a household drug administered in indigestion, stomach aches, dyspepsia, and loss of appetite. In fact, it is used when people overeat and or go a little to heavy on the drink! The Science of Senburi Chemical Constituents Polysaccharides: swertimarin, swerosede, amarosede, gentiopicrosed, amaroswerin, amarogentin. Xanton derivatives: swertianin, norswertianin, methyl swertianin, swertianolin, bellidifolin, desmethyl bellidifolin, methyl bellidifolin. Flavonoids: swertisin, swertiajaponin, homooreentin, isovitexin. Olianolic acid, gentianin. Digestive Stimulant When you put Senburi in your mouth, its bitter taste stimulates the taste buds on the tongue. This initiates the secretion of a special hormone which in turn increases the production of stomach and pancreatic enzymes. The active constituents responsible for this herb’s bitter taste are the polysaccharides amarogentin and amaroswerin. Liver Protection Animal experiments have shown that Senburi protects the liver from damage. This is not surprising as it is traditionally used in cholecystitis, hepatitis, and pancreatitis and to prevent damage from drinking to much alcohol. Blood Sugar Level Reduction In animal experiments it was found to keep blood sugar levels down, suggesting it might stimulate pancreatic function. Practitioner Recommended Uses of Senburi When poor digestive function strikes, Senburi should be called in. This is especially true when the problem rests with poor digestive juice production. The elderly and the sick often lack sufficient digestive enzymes for speedy and efficient digestion. Indeed, they can even lack appetite. In cases such as these, Senburi can be used to activate normal digestive function. Dosage Powdered herb 0.5g per day Tincture 1:1 0.5ml per day Tincture 1:5 2.5ml per day Senburi can be taken in powder form or infusion. Bibliography
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