Volume 5, Number 4 | Winter 2010

Kampo Formula Developed in Japan (4)Jizusoippo
Hiromichi Yasui
Japan Institute of TCM Researchevil from remaining in blood. The combination of theascending

propertiesofCnidii

Rhizomaanddescending properties of Rhei Rhizoma ensure abalance of the ascending and descending properties.
Clinical application

ProfileThe formula jizusoippo was created by Futei Fukui(1725-1792) and its contents later slightly modified
by Sohaku Asada(1815-1894) to become the formulaused today. Its naming suggests, that it is a "formula
to treat eczema of the skull", but today it is used forskin diseases everywhere on the body. It carries thenickname daikyuoto.

This formula is used specifically for skin diseases.
Originally it was used for infants with eruptions on
the skull, secretions, itching and eschar. While it iscurrently used not only for eruptions on the skull,
but anywhere on the body, also in adults, itsapplication is, not surprisingly, particularly high for
eruptions on the skull or the face. It is usedparticularly

Prescription composition

frequentfor

caseswithatopicdermatitis and thus led to the conduction of research

Cnidii Rhizoma 3 g

relevant to this indication. The Rhubarb in thisAtractylodis Lanceae Rhizoma 3 g

formula may not be necessary for people with daily

Forsythiae Fructus 3 gregular bowel movements, but the addition of a small

Saposhnikoviae Radix 2 gamount of Rhei Rhizoma probably gives better

Glycyrrhizae Radix 1 g

results.

Schizonepetae Spica 1 g
Carthami Flos 1 g

1. Atopic dermatitis

Rhei Rhizoma 0.5 g

Otsuka Keisetsu (1900-1982) was the first person toLonicerae Folium Cum Caulis 2 g

use this formula for the treatment of atopic

Efficacydermatitis. The historical record mentions that inExpels wind and activates blood, clears heat and1970 this disease was rare and there were only few

removes toxins, expels dampness

refractory cases. Like the following example.

Main indication

The patient was a 5-year old boy. Shortly after birthWind -dampness, heat toxin

eczemaExplanation of the formula

treatments, but brought to consultation because theSchizonepetae Spica and Saposhnikoviae Radix

condition failed to improve. Most of the lesions weredisperse wind evil; Atractylodis Lanceae Rhizoma

located on the arms and neck, as well as on theand Ledebouriellae radix remove dampness; Cnidii

medial side of the knees. He caught easily cold,

Rhizoma activates blood and at the same time

which then led to a congested nose and a tendency tosupports the free coursing function of the liver andin conjunction with Atractylodis Lanceae Rhizoma
dispels the wind evil from the blood. Forsythia,
Lonicera japonica and Glycyrrhizae Radix clear heatand remove toxins, and together with Rhei Rhizoma
cool and remove heat toxin from the blood. Carthami
Flos in conjunction with Cnidii Rhizoma andRhei

Rhizoma alleviates blood stagnation and prevents

28

developedandhereceived

variousdevelop hoarseness. Occasionally there were nose
bleedings. Appetite varied extremely and was notconstant. He drank plenty of water. One bowel
movement per day. After 2 weeks of treatment withjizusoippo the skin had become smooth and almost
all of the eruptions had receded. After continuing themedication for another 4 weeks the eruptions haddisappeared without a trace1).
Later, physicians inspired by this case used theThe Journal of Kampo, Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine (KAIM)

Volume 5, Number 4 | Winter 2010

formula for the treatment of atopic dermatitis and2. Seborrheic eczema

thus accumulating relevant clinical experience. A

Jizusoippo has originally been developed for thenumber of case reports or case series studies havetreatment of pediatric seborrheic eczema. Today thisbeen submitted.

disease can quickly be alleviated through topicalSeki et al. reported a case of a 55-year old woman

application of steroid ointments, but in former times

with adult atopic dermatitis. By the age of 40

there was no really good treatment.

erythematous patches associated with pruritus andWhen Otsuka used jizusoippo for a 4-year old girl indesquamation developed in this woman on the facewhom shortly after birth erythematous lesions

and were treated by a local physician with topicaldeveloped on the head and face, who complained ofsteroids, but because neither this resulted inpruritus, formation of thick scabs from which serum

complete recovery nor did similar treatments inoozed out if they were removed only to form newseveral other clinics led to any remission and instead

scabs, the pruritus was alleviated after about 10

a topical steroid induced rosacea-like dermatitis

days and after about 40 days the condition had

developed as a complication, Kampo treatment wascompletely been cured. Administration of the same

initiated. After the patient had been treated withformula over a period of 2 months following ashosaikoto (Miner Bupleurum Decoction)for 6

recurrence again led to a complete recovery6). This

months,almostwas in 1953.

thecondition

hadhealed

completely2).

The number of physicians using this formula forYamamoto et al. evaluated the results after treating

seborrheic eczema in infants increased after the36 patients with adult atopic dermatitis withpublication of this report. I will cite a case reportjizusoippo (7.5-15.0 g) over a period of 4 or 8 weeks

from Yakazu.

and reported marked improvements in 9 patients

The patient was a 4-month old girl. One and a half(25%), improvements in 8 patients (22.2%), mild

month after birth apparently itchy erythematous

improvements in 10 patients (27.8%) and no changes

lesions developed on the head, that were associatedin 9 patients (25%)3).

with copious secretions and the skin started to peel

Cases where atopic dermatitis is associated withoff. The regions affected gradually increased in size

bronchial asthma often receive a combination

and by the time of the first consultation had spreadmakyokansekito

shoseiryuto.

to the back, the entire abdomen and buttocks. At a

Otsuka mentioned that addition of Ephedra anddepartment of dermatology the condition wasgyps to jizusoippo improves not only the eczema but

diagnosed as pediatric seborrheic eczema andalso the asthma4).

treated,butdidnotSome cases of atopic dermatitis also respond toadministration

ofjizusoippo

Eppikajutsuto. That is because the combination oferythematous lesions disappeared after about one

Ephedra and gyps can dispel damp heat. Even inmonth, 2 months later approximately 80% had

cases without asthma the combination of jizusoippo

healed and after 3 months the condition had healed

and makyokansekito can achieve similar results.

almost completely. Since the administration of theIto reported the markedly effective treatment of a 1-drug appetite increased, the infant gained weight

year old girl with atopic dermatitis using aand thrived7).

combination of makyokansekito and jizusoippo5).

This formula is currently also used for adulttherapywithorimprove.
half

Followingof

theseborrheic eczema. It is indicated for erythematous
lesions developing on the head and face.
Yamamoto et al. administered this formula to 10

The Journal of Kampo, Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine (KAIM)

29

Volume 5, Number 4 | Winter 2010

patients (adults) with seborrheic eczema andReferences

reported a marked improvement in 3, improvements

1.

Keisetsu Otsuka: Otsuka Keisetsu Collected
Works, Vol. 4, 24-25, shun-yo-do, 1980

in 2 and no changes in 3 patients3).
2.

Taisuke Seki, Masaaki Morohashi: A case of

3. Furunculosis

adult atopic dermatitis successfully treated withThis formula is often effective for the treatment ofjizusoippo, No. 13 Records of the Dermatologic

erythematous lesions of the head, regardless of theOriental Medical Society, No.6, 31-38,1995

diseases causing them.

3.

Izumi Yamamoto ：A case of adult atopic

A dermatologist referred a middle-aged man withdermatitis successfully treated with jizusoippo,

furuncles continuously developing on the head non-No. 16 Records of the Dermatologic Oriental

responsive to treatment with antibiotics to Terutane

Medical Society, No. 9, 29-39, 1997

Yamada, who advised the patient to take this4.

formula. After about 1 months of administration thepatient had almost completely recovered8).

Keisetsu Otsuka: Otsuka Keisetsu Collected
Works, Vol. 4, 40-41, shun-yo-do, 1980

5.

Norio Ito: A case of atopic dermatitis in which

makyokansekito

andjizusoippo

combination therapy was markedly effective,
Kampo Treatment Vol.13, No.8, 1994
6.

Keisetsu Otsuka: Pediatric skull eczema, 30 Yearsof Kampo Treatment, 378, Sogensha, 1959

7.

Domei Yakazu: jizusoippo for pediatric seborrheic
dermatitis, A Hundred Kampo Stories, 134
Idononipponsha 1960

8.

Terutane Yamada: Examination and Treatmentof Kampo Medicine [Practical Application],
Taniguchi Shoten

30

The Journal of Kampo, Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine (KAIM)