The Role of Roasted Glycyrrhiza Root in the Main Prescriptions for Shoinbyo (shao yin bing) / 日本東洋医学雑誌

ABSTRACT

Patients suffering through a period of shoinbyo (shao yin bing) must essentially be treated for impaired renal function. Formulations commonly prescribed during this period can be divided into two categories the Shigyakuto (si ni tang) group which includes Glycyrrhizae Radix, and the Hakutsuto (bai tong tang), Hakutsukachotanjuto, Shimbuto (zhen wu tang) and Bushito (fu zi tang) groups, which do not include roasted Glycyrrhizae Radix. In order to understand the significance of Glycyrrhizae Radix, we have examined symptomatic differences in life-threatening situations, by comparing Shigyakuto and Hakutsuto formulations, based on both previous cases, and our own clinical studies.<br>Shigyakuto is composed of roasted Glycyrrhizae Radix, Zingiberis Siccatum Rhizoma, and crude Aconiti Tuber, while Hakutsuto is composed of Allii Fistulosi Bullbus, Zingiberis Siccatum Rhizoma, and crude Aconite Tuber. These formulations activate renal function, as well as gastroenterological function (bu pi wei). Which function is affected dominantly, however, appears to be dependent on whether roasted Glycyrrhizae Radix is included. In the Shigyakuto group of formulations which include Glycyrrhizae Radix, the activation of gastroenterological function is greater than that of renal function, whereas in the other formulation groups which do not include Glycyrrhizae Radix, activation of renal function is greater. This treatment principle can be applied not only in the acute phase of shoinbyo, but in the chronic phase as well. Therefore we believe that roasted Glycyrrhizae Radix has an important role in the effective Kampo treatment of patients suffering through periods of shoinbyo.