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.<br>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.<br>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.<br>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.