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Keishi-bukuryo-gan
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The Japanese herbal formula Keishi-bukuryo-gan (KBG) has been shown to reduce levels of CGRP in lab animals and humans. Cluster headaches and hot flashes have both been linked to surges of CGRP. Regular consumption of KBG reduces CGRP levels in the blood and symptoms of hot flashes; it has not been tested on cluster headaches, but may be useful. Migraine and cluster headache researchers (including Dr. Goadsby) have talked very optomistically of intial studies with other CGRP inhibitors.
The basic formula for Keishi-bukuryo-gan contains equal parts of:
The exact mechanism of action is unknown, but it has been shown that KGB does not have an estrogenic effect - KBG does not block the changes in uterus size that occur after removing the ovaries. Red Peony, Tree Peony, and Cinnamon Twig are all sources of red plant pigments; research suggests that the pigments of Sangre de Grado are responsible for that plant's ability to block CGRP. Hoelen fungus has a variety of anti-inflammatory properties and regulates the immune system.
KBG is traditionally boiled for 45 minutes and consumed as a tea. I drank it daily for a few months in the summer of 2004 (starting a few weeks before the beast usually visits), and noticed no side effects. I can't say for sure if it helped - I had been in remission for 2 years, and had been taking other therapies.
I am unaware of any pre-packaged KBG products in the US. I buy the five ingredients from Healing Waters Clinic in St. Augustine (tel. 904-826-1965) - the 3 herbalists I have spoken to there are very knowledgeable.
The basic formula for Keishi-bukuryo-gan contains equal parts of:
- Red Peony
- Moutan (aka Tree Peony)
- Hoelen (Poria Fungus)
- Cinnamon Twig
- Persicae Seed
The exact mechanism of action is unknown, but it has been shown that KGB does not have an estrogenic effect - KBG does not block the changes in uterus size that occur after removing the ovaries. Red Peony, Tree Peony, and Cinnamon Twig are all sources of red plant pigments; research suggests that the pigments of Sangre de Grado are responsible for that plant's ability to block CGRP. Hoelen fungus has a variety of anti-inflammatory properties and regulates the immune system.
KBG is traditionally boiled for 45 minutes and consumed as a tea. I drank it daily for a few months in the summer of 2004 (starting a few weeks before the beast usually visits), and noticed no side effects. I can't say for sure if it helped - I had been in remission for 2 years, and had been taking other therapies.
I am unaware of any pre-packaged KBG products in the US. I buy the five ingredients from Healing Waters Clinic in St. Augustine (tel. 904-826-1965) - the 3 herbalists I have spoken to there are very knowledgeable.
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Maturitas. 2003 Jul 25;45(3):199-204.
Menopausal hot flash and calciotonin gene-related peptide; effect of Keishi-bukuryo-gan, a kampo medicine, related to plasma calciotonin gene-related peptide level.
Chen JT, Shiraki M.
JT Chen Clinic, Sunbright Twin 3F, 2-46-1 Honcho, Nakano-Ku, Tokyo 164-0012, Japan.
OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to investigate relationship of menopausal hot flash and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). Furthermore, this study evaluated the effect of the Japanese herbal (kampo) medicine Keishi-bukuryo-gan from the aspect of CGRP regulation. METHODS: Plasma CGRP and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) levels were measured during hot flash and CGRP reactivity was studied by cold load test in subjects with/without hot flashes. The effect of Keishi-bukuryo-gan was assessed in comparison with plasma CGRP level. RESULTS: Only plasma CGRP but not VIP significantly elevated at the occurrence of hot flash (P=0.002). Stress by cold load significantly enhanced the over-secretion of CGRP in subjects with flash compared with those without flash (P=0.003) 3 min after the load. Keishi-bukuryo-gan decreased plasma CGRP level in subjects with hot flash. CONCLUSIONS: CGRP but not VIP was mainly related to the occurrence of hot flash. Keishi-bukuryo-gan, Japanese herbal medicine, improves hot flash possibly affecting plasma CGRP level.
Menopausal hot flash and calciotonin gene-related peptide; effect of Keishi-bukuryo-gan, a kampo medicine, related to plasma calciotonin gene-related peptide level.
Chen JT, Shiraki M.
JT Chen Clinic, Sunbright Twin 3F, 2-46-1 Honcho, Nakano-Ku, Tokyo 164-0012, Japan.
OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to investigate relationship of menopausal hot flash and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). Furthermore, this study evaluated the effect of the Japanese herbal (kampo) medicine Keishi-bukuryo-gan from the aspect of CGRP regulation. METHODS: Plasma CGRP and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) levels were measured during hot flash and CGRP reactivity was studied by cold load test in subjects with/without hot flashes. The effect of Keishi-bukuryo-gan was assessed in comparison with plasma CGRP level. RESULTS: Only plasma CGRP but not VIP significantly elevated at the occurrence of hot flash (P=0.002). Stress by cold load significantly enhanced the over-secretion of CGRP in subjects with flash compared with those without flash (P=0.003) 3 min after the load. Keishi-bukuryo-gan decreased plasma CGRP level in subjects with hot flash. CONCLUSIONS: CGRP but not VIP was mainly related to the occurrence of hot flash. Keishi-bukuryo-gan, Japanese herbal medicine, improves hot flash possibly affecting plasma CGRP level.
J Endocrinol. 2003 Mar;176(3):359-66.
Effects of the Japanese herbal medicine Keishi-bukuryo-gan and 17beta-estradiol on calcitonin gene-related peptide-induced elevation of skin temperature in ovariectomized rats.
Noguchi M, Ikarashi Y, Yuzurihara M, Kase Y, Chen JT, Takeda S, Aburada M, Ishige A.
Tsumura Research Institute Medical Evaluation Laboratory, 3586 Yoshiwara, Ami-machi, Inashiki-gun, Ibaraki 300-1192, Japan. noguchi_masamichi@mail.tsumura.co.jp
The effects of a Japanese herbal medicine, Keishi-bukuryo-gan, and 17beta-estradiol on calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)-induced elevation of skin temperature were investigated in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. Ovariectomy not only potentiated CGRP-induced elevation of skin temperature and arterial vasorelaxation but also induced a lower concentration of endogenous CGRP in plasma and up-regulation of arterial CGRP receptors, suggesting that lowered CGRP in plasma due to ovarian hormone deficiency increases the number of CGRP receptors and consequently amplifies the stimulatory effects of CGRP to elevate skin temperature. Oral Keishi-bukuryo-gan (100-1000 mg/kg, once a day for 7 days) restored a series of CGRP-related responses observed in OVX rats by normalizing plasma CGRP levels in a dose-dependent manner as effectively as s.c. injection. 17Beta-estradiol (0.010 mg/kg, once a day for 7 days). However, Keishi-bukuryo-gan did not affect the lower concentration of plasma estradiol and the decreased uterine weight due to ovariectomy, although the hormone replacement of 17beta-estradiol restored them. These results suggest that Keishi-bukuryo-gan, which does not confer estrogen activity on plasma, may be useful for the treatment of hot flashes in patients for whom estrogen replacement therapy is contraindicated, as well as menopausal women.
Effects of the Japanese herbal medicine Keishi-bukuryo-gan and 17beta-estradiol on calcitonin gene-related peptide-induced elevation of skin temperature in ovariectomized rats.
Noguchi M, Ikarashi Y, Yuzurihara M, Kase Y, Chen JT, Takeda S, Aburada M, Ishige A.
Tsumura Research Institute Medical Evaluation Laboratory, 3586 Yoshiwara, Ami-machi, Inashiki-gun, Ibaraki 300-1192, Japan. noguchi_masamichi@mail.tsumura.co.jp
The effects of a Japanese herbal medicine, Keishi-bukuryo-gan, and 17beta-estradiol on calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)-induced elevation of skin temperature were investigated in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. Ovariectomy not only potentiated CGRP-induced elevation of skin temperature and arterial vasorelaxation but also induced a lower concentration of endogenous CGRP in plasma and up-regulation of arterial CGRP receptors, suggesting that lowered CGRP in plasma due to ovarian hormone deficiency increases the number of CGRP receptors and consequently amplifies the stimulatory effects of CGRP to elevate skin temperature. Oral Keishi-bukuryo-gan (100-1000 mg/kg, once a day for 7 days) restored a series of CGRP-related responses observed in OVX rats by normalizing plasma CGRP levels in a dose-dependent manner as effectively as s.c. injection. 17Beta-estradiol (0.010 mg/kg, once a day for 7 days). However, Keishi-bukuryo-gan did not affect the lower concentration of plasma estradiol and the decreased uterine weight due to ovariectomy, although the hormone replacement of 17beta-estradiol restored them. These results suggest that Keishi-bukuryo-gan, which does not confer estrogen activity on plasma, may be useful for the treatment of hot flashes in patients for whom estrogen replacement therapy is contraindicated, as well as menopausal women.
Created by: admin last modification: Friday 09 of June, 2006 [17:24:45 UTC] by admin