Abstract:
Provided is a hair growth agent/hair tonic capable of improving the hair generation and growth effects and achieving the anti-canities effects. Specifically, the hair growth agent/hair tonic comprises, as an active ingredient, the extract obtained from the whole part of a plant belonging to the genus  Cymbidium  of the family Orchidaceae, and also has the anti-canities effect. Great Flower Marie Laurencin is particularly effective as the plant belonging to the genus  Cymbidium  of the family Orchidaceae. The amount of the extract to be added is 0.1 to 30% by weight, desirably 1.0 to 20% by weight, and particularly preferably 5.0 to 15% by weight.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a hair growth and fostering agent having prominent hair growth and fostering effects and anti-canities effects without causing side effects in the living body. 
       BACKGROUND ART 
       [0002]    Conventionally, various studies and developments have been made on hair growth and fostering agents, and chemically synthesized substances containing components such as hormonal agents, blood flow-promoting agents, and cell-activating agents are provided. However, there have been problems that although the majority of these hair growth and fostering agents have excellent hair generation and growth and fostering effects, they also cause side effects. Further, such a hair growth and fostering agent that can be expected to have anti-canities effects has not yet been obtained. 
         [0003]    With an aim to achieve hair growth and fostering effects while improving safety, the present inventor has proposed a hair growth and fostering agent prepared by extracting an active ingredient present in natural plants, instead of using chemically synthesized materials. That is, the present inventor has proposed a hair growth and fostering agent, comprising an extract of the pseudobulb of Great Flower Marie Laurencin, which is a plant belonging to the genus  Cymbidium  of the family Orchidaceae, as an active ingredient in Patent Literature 1 (Japanese Patent No. 3513475). 
       CITATION LIST 
     Patent Literature 
       [0000]    
       
         Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent No. 3513475 
       
     
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
       [0005]    The hair growth and fostering agent described in Patent Literature 1 was highly safe since it contained a natural plant component as an active ingredient, and also achieved dramatically improved hair growth and fostering effects compared to prior products. However, on average, it requires a period of approximately six months to obtain the hair generation and growth effects after initiation of use. Although the above time period has been shortened compared to before, there is a demand for improving the hair growth and fostering effects for an even more immediate effect. Further, if a hair growth and fostering agent having anti-canities effects, namely, a hair growth and fostering agent capable of turning gray hair back to black hair, becomes available, such a hair growth and fostering agent is desirable for users. 
         [0006]    In view of the foregoing, an object of the present invention is to provide a hair growth and fostering agent that is not only capable of further improving the hair growth and fostering effects, but also effective against canities. 
       Solution to Problem 
       [0007]    The inventor of the present application strove to achieve the aforementioned object. As a result, he has found that an extract obtained from the whole part, not from only the pseudobulb, of a plant belonging to the genus  Cymbidium  of the family Orchidaceae has excellent hair growth and fostering effects as well as anti-canities effects with immediate actions, thereby leading to the completion of the present invention. 
         [0008]    Plants belonging to the genus  Cymbidium  are monocotyledons of the family Orchidaceae, which are distributed and grow naturally mainly in the temperate and tropical regions of Asia. The plants have peculiar pseudobulbs, and there are approximately 70 species of  Cymbidium  plants. Further, breeding has been undertaken in plants belonging to the genus  Cymbidium , and a large number of breeds are now registered under the Plant Variety Protection and Seed Act of Japan. As a representative variety of plants belonging to the genus  Cymbidium , including native species, cym.  goeringii , cym.  kanran , cym.  sinense , cym.  ensifolium , cym.  pumilum , Cym. Great Flower “Marie Laurencin”, Cym Rose Wine “Shinseiki”, Cym. Great Flower “Ballerina”, Cym. Lucky Flower “Anmitsuhime”, Cym. Great Katy “Mariko”, Cym. Lucky Gloria “Aguri”, Cym. Lucky Gloria “Fukunokami”, Seaside “Saya”, Cym. Satin Doll “Golden Yellow”, Cym. Great Katy “Little Laurencin”, Angelico “Fukumusume”, and the like are known. Among native species, some are used as medicines or foods in regions such as China, Southeast Asia, and Australia. 
         [0009]    As described above, there are an extremely large number of plants belonging to the genus  Cymbidium  of the family Orchidaceae. Although no limitation is imposed, among those plants, a variety registered under the name of Great Flower Marie Laurencin (Variety Registration No. 2841) under the Plant Variety Protection and Seed Act of Japan is preferable since it has particularly excellent hair growth and fostering effects as well as anti-canities effects with immediate actions. 
         [0010]    The extract of a plant belonging to the genus  Cymbidium  of the family Orchidaceae may be an extract obtained by using the whole part of a plant belonging to the genus  Cymbidium  of the family Orchidaceae as the extraction raw material. The whole part of a plant refers to all the parts of a plant combining the aerial and underground parts such as the flowers, leaves, flower stalks, pseudobulbs, and roots. It is preferable to use the whole part of a plant belonging to the genus  Cymbidium  as the extraction raw material at the flowering time, especially at the peak flowering time; however, the timing may not be limited to the flowering time. 
         [0011]    For the adjustment of the extract of the whole part of a plant belonging to the genus  Cymbidium  of the family Orchidaceae, any of the physical extraction method, in which the whole part of a plant belonging to the genus  Cymbidium  of the family Orchidaceae is compressed directly or after being shredded into pieces of appropriate size or pulverized by a grinder, the solvent extraction method, and the vacuum distillation method can be adopted, and extracts thereby obtained with various kinds of solvents, their dilutions, concentrates, or dried powders are used as the extract. Examples of the extraction solvent include a hydrophilic solvent such as water, methanol, ethanol, propylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol, glycerin, and acetone, and a mixture of two or more kinds thereof may also be used. Further, the extract to be prepared may be either a liquid or a solid. 
         [0012]    For example, when ethanol extraction is employed, a method for producing the extract of the whole part of a plant belonging to the genus  Cymbidium  of the family Orchidaceae is adopted such that the whole part of a plant belonging to the genus  Cymbidium  of the family Orchidaceae is immersed directly or after being shredded into pieces of appropriate size or pulverized by a grinder in a 50% aqueous solution of ethanol at a weight ratio of 2:7 (whole plant:50% aqueous solution of ethanol) and extraction operation is carried out with occasional stirring, and the residue is filtered off. Further, when hot water extraction is employed, the extract of the whole part of a plant belonging to the genus  Cymbidium  of the family Orchidaceae can be produced by adding 100 ml of purified water to 5 g of the pulverized plant obtained similarly to the above, followed by thermal extraction in a boiling water bath for approximately two hours, and then adding an equivalent amount of 95% ethanol, and after leaving the resulting mixture to stand, filtering off the residue. It should be noted that the extraction method is not limited to those described above. 
         [0013]    The extracts described above may be used in the hair growth and fostering agent directly or after arbitrarily adjusting by, for example, drying, concentrating, diluting, or mixing with other components according to the application form. 
         [0014]    Also, the amount of the extract to be added to the hair growth and fostering agent ranges preferably from 0.1 to 30% by weight, desirably from 1.0 to 20% by weight. When the content of the extract was less than 0.1% by weight or more than 30% by weight, in either case, preferable hair growth, hair fostering and anti-canities effects could not be obtained. The most preferable added amount is 5.0 to 15% by weight, at which amount the best hair growth, hair fostering, and anti-canities effects were exhibited. 
         [0015]    As described above, pharmaceutical products, quasi drugs, or cosmetics can be prepared by blending the extract obtained from the whole part of a plant belonging to the genus  Cymbidium  of the family Orchidaceae with an aim to obtain such functional effects as hair growth, hair fostering, and anti-canities effects. 
         [0016]    As the dosage form of the hair growth and fostering agent of the present invention, an externally applied agent is preferable, and it is preferably provided in the form of embrocations such as ointments, lotions, tonics, sprays, suspensions, and emulsions. As more specific usage, for example, the hair growth and fostering agent of the present invention can be used in various forms such as hair revitalizing agents, hair tonics, hair lotions, hair creams, shampoos, hair rinses, hair treatments, and hair colors. 
         [0017]    To the hair growth and fostering agent of the present invention, moisturizing agents, surfactants, dyes, fragrances, enzymes, hormones, vitamins, ultraviolet ray absorbers, ultraviolet ray shielding agents, solvents, stabilizers, plasticizers, lubricants, solubilizers, reducing agents, buffers, sweeteners, bases, volatilization aids, adsorbents, taste masking agents, synergists, binders, suspending agents, antioxidants, gloss agents, coating agents, humectants, cooling agents, softeners, emulsifiers, excipients, antiseptic agents, preservatives, and the like can be added according to an ordinary method so long as the effect of the present invention is not impaired. 
       Advantageous Effects of Invention 
       [0018]    The present invention can provide a hair growth and fostering agent having hair generation, hair growth, and anti-canities effects with excellent immediate actions by including the extract obtained from the whole part of a plant belonging to the genus  Cymbidium  of the family Orchidaceae as an active ingredient. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  is a photograph showing the condition in the course of usage in a test user A in Study Example 2. 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is a photograph showing the condition approximately 10 months after  FIG. 1 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is a photograph showing the condition of a test user B at the beginning of use in Study Example 2. 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  is a photograph showing the condition approximately 1 month after  FIG. 3 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  is a photograph showing the condition of a test user C at the beginning of use in Study Example 2. 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  is a photograph showing the condition approximately 4 months after  FIG. 5 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  is a photograph showing the condition of a test user D at the beginning of use in Study Example 2. 
           [0026]      FIG. 8  is a photograph showing the condition approximately 6 months after  FIG. 7 . 
           [0027]      FIG. 9  is a photograph showing the condition of a test user E at the beginning of use in Study Example 2. 
           [0028]      FIG. 10  is a photograph showing the condition approximately 1 month after  FIG. 9 . 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0029]    The present inventor conducted intensive studies on plant extracts having the hair growth and fostering effects. As a result, he has found that excellent hair growth, hair fostering, and anti-canities effects can be obtained when the extract obtained from the whole part of a plant belonging to the genus  Cymbidium  of the family Orchidaceae, but not the extract of the pseudobulb of a plant belonging to the genus  Cymbidium  of the family Orchidaceae, is contained. The present hair growth and fostering agent has achieved the best immediate action ever, and was confirmed by a variety of tests to exert high hair growth, hair fostering, and anti-canities effects in a period of as short as approximately one month. Therefore, the extract obtained from the whole part of a plant belonging to the genus  Cymbidium  of the family Orchidaceae can be used as an active ingredient of a hair growth and fostering agent and an anti-canities agent. 
       EXAMPLES 
     Preparation of the Extract of the Whole Part of a Plant Belonging to the Genus  Cymbidium  of the Family Orchidaceae 
       [0030]    The whole plant of blooming Great Flower Marie Laurencin (Variety Registration No. 2841), which is a plant belonging to the genus  Cymbidium , is shredded. The shredded plant is then added to and immersed in a 50% aqueous solution of ethanol at a weight ratio of 2:7 (whole plant:50% aqueous solution of ethanol) to carry out extraction for one month at room temperature. Subsequently, the residue was filtered off and the resulting ethanol extract was used as the extract of the whole part of a plant belonging to the genus  Cymbidium  of the family Orchidaceae. 
       Formulation Example 
     Hair tonic 
       [0031]    This Formulation Example is a formulation example of a hair tonic, and its composition is as shown below. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Formulation component 
                 % by weight 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 The aforementioned extract of the whole 
                 10.5% by weight 
               
               
                   
                 part of a plant belonging to the genus 
               
               
                   
                   Cymbidium  of the family Orchidaceae 
               
               
                   
                 Ethanol 
                 47.05% by weight  
               
               
                   
                 Cooling agent (1-menthol) 
                 0.30% by weight 
               
               
                   
                 Antiseptic agent (Photosensitizer 301) 
                 0.002% by weight  
               
               
                   
                 Ginger root extract 
                 0.10% by weight 
               
               
                   
                 Humectant 
                 2.652% by weight  
               
               
                   
                 Common water 
                 10.0% by weight 
               
               
                   
                 Purified water 
                 Balance 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0032]    Also, examples of the humectant include, but are not limited to, sugar having moisturizing actions such as maltitol, a  Rehmannia Chinensis  root extract, a  Tilia Cordata  flower extract, a seaweed extract, and a liquid rice extract hydrolysate. These components can be blended singly or in combination. Humectants have moisturizing actions, and thus can impart appropriate moisture to the scalp and hair. 
       Comparative Example 
     Hair Tonic 
       [0033]    First of all, the pseudobulb of blooming Great Flower Marie Laurencin (Variety Registration No. 2841), which is a plant belonging to the genus  Cymbidium , is shredded. The shredded pseudobulb is then added to and immersed in a 50% aqueous solution of ethanol at a weight ratio of 2:7 (whole plant:50% aqueous solution of ethanol) to carry out extraction for one month at room temperature. Subsequently, the residue was filtered off and the resulting ethanol extract was used as the extract of the pseudobulb of a plant belonging to the genus  Cymbidium  of the family Orchidaceae. Using the extract thus obtained, a hair tonic of Comparative Example was formulated. The composition of the hair tonic of Comparative Example only differs from that of the hair tonic of Formulation Example shown above in that the “extract of the whole part of a plant belonging to the genus  Cymbidium  of the family Orchidaceae, 10.5% by weight” is replaced by the “extract of the pseudobulb of a plant belonging to the genus  Cymbidium  of the family Orchidaceae, 10.5% by weight”, while the rest of the composition remains the same. In light of this, explanation is omitted. 
         [0034]    Hereinbelow, the following studies were conducted in order to confirm the effect of each of Formulation Example (extract of whole plant) and Comparative Example (extract of only pseudobulb). 
       Study Example 1 
       [0035]    Twenty seven males and females were assigned to subjects and used the hair tonic prepared according to Formulation Example, and their feedback is summarized in Table 1 below. Also, 20 males and females were assigned to subjects and used the hair tonic prepared according to Comparative Example, and their feedback is summarized in Table 2. As to the study method, the subjects were instructed to apply and spread the aforementioned hair tonic on the head in a normal usage mode and thoroughly massage the head, and perform the above operation once or twice a day. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                 TABLE 1 
               
             
             
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 After use 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                   
                   
                 Time between 
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 initiation of 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 use and 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 manifestation 
                 Hair growth and 
               
               
                 No. 
                 Sex and Age 
                 Before use 
                 of effects 
                 fostering effects 
                 Anti-canities effects 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Test 
                 Male, 67 
                 Almost entirely 
                 Approx. 1 
                 Hair became thick and 
                 Hair on the back of the 
               
               
                 user 1 
                   
                 gray head of 
                 month 
                 vitalized. 
                 head started to turn 
               
               
                   
                   
                 fine, fragile 
                   
                   
                 back to black. After 
               
               
                   
                   
                 hair 
                   
                   
                 considerable 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 improvement, hair 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 generally turned back 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 to black. 
               
               
                 Test 
                 Male, 57 
                 Bald on top 
                 2 to 3 months 
                 Hair became so thick 
               
               
                 user 2 
                   
                   
                 after initiation 
                 and vitalized overall 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 of use 
                 that it was mistaken for 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 a wig. Downy hair 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 started to and continued 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 to regrow on the once- 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 bald top of the head. 
               
               
                 Test 
                 Male, 64 
                 Generally thin 
                 1 to 2 months 
                 Hair thinning alleviated 
                 Back of the head 
               
               
                 user 3 
                   
                   
                   
                 overall and hair became 
                 started to turn back to 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 vitalized and thickened. 
                 black. 
               
               
                 Test 
                 Male, 64 
                 Bald on top 
                 1 to 2 months 
                 Hair started to regrow 
               
               
                 user 4 
                   
                   
                   
                 on top of the head, 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 followed by rapid 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 regrowth. 
               
               
                 Test 
                 Male, 46 
                   
                   
                 Hair texture rapidly 
               
               
                 user 5 
                   
                   
                   
                 improved with 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 noticeable hair 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 regrowth in the front of 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 the head. Hair was 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 volumized overall. 
               
               
                 Test 
                 Male, 63 
                   
                 1 to 2 months 
                 Hair became thick and 
                 Canities alleviated and 
               
               
                 user 6 
                   
                   
                   
                 vitalized with no more 
                 started to turn back to 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 hair loss. People 
                 black. 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 noticed the restoration 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 of hair. 
               
               
                 Test 
                 Male, 63 
                   
                 1 to 2 months 
                 Hair became thick and 
                 Hair on temples 
               
               
                 user 7 
                   
                   
                   
                 vitalized and volumized 
                 considerably improved. 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 overall. 
               
               
                 Test 
                 Male, 42 
                 Becoming 
                 1 to 2 months 
                 Hair improves while 
                 A fist-sized chunk of 
               
               
                 user 8 
                   
                 noticeably thin 
                   
                 rapidly becoming thick 
                 gray hair was 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 and vitalized. 
                 noticeable in the front 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 of the head but people 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 pointed out that it 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 became unnoticeable. 
               
               
                 Test 
                 Male, 64 
                 Hair was 
                 1 to 2 months 
                 Hair was rapidly 
                 People commented that 
               
               
                 user 9 
                   
                 thinning 
                   
                 improving, relieving 
                 gray hair was generally 
               
               
                   
                   
                 generally. 
                   
                 him from concern. 
                 turning back to black. 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Particularly 
               
               
                   
                   
                 concerned 
               
               
                   
                   
                 about partial 
               
               
                   
                   
                 baldness on the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 side of the head 
               
               
                 Test 
                 Male, 63 
                   
                 1 to 2 months 
                 Hair became resilient 
                 Gray hair turned back 
               
               
                 user 10 
                   
                   
                   
                 and thick and 
                 to black. 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 volumized overall. 
               
               
                 Test 
                 Male, 63 
                 Hair was 
                 1 to 2 months 
                 Hair became resilient 
                 Canities was also being 
               
               
                 user 11 
                   
                 thinning 
                   
                 and thick and coarse to 
                 alleviated. 
               
               
                   
                   
                 generally. 
                   
                 touch. 
               
               
                 Test 
                 Female, 56 
                   
                 Approx. 2 
                 Hair loss was reduced 
               
               
                 user 12 
                   
                   
                 months 
                 while hair became 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 resilient and shiny. 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 Hairstyling can be done 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 with a hair dryer and 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 hands, relieving her 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 from hair-related 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 concerns. 
               
               
                 Test 
                 Female, 37 
                 Had lost hair 
                 1 month 
                 Hair became strong and 
                 Graying hair was 
               
               
                 user 13 
                   
                 from the 
                   
                 hair loss was also 
                 turning back to black. 
               
               
                   
                   
                 forehead to the 
                   
                 visibly reduced. 
               
               
                   
                   
                 top of the head 
               
               
                   
                   
                 due to 
               
               
                   
                   
                 radiotherapy 
               
               
                 Test 
                 Female, 58 
                 Concerned 
                 1 month 
                 Hair loss was reduced. 
               
               
                 user 14 
                   
                 about hair 
                   
                 She also likes slick feel 
               
               
                   
                   
                 falling out 
                   
                 to fingers after use. 
               
               
                   
                   
                 during 
               
               
                   
                   
                 shampooing 
               
               
                   
                   
                 and brushing 
               
               
                 Test 
                 Female, 51 
                 Feels the 
                   
                 Had her hair cut 
               
               
                 user 15 
                   
                 weight and 
                   
                 approx. 1 month after 
               
               
                   
                   
                 growth of hair 
                   
                 use, and she started to 
               
               
                   
                   
                 approx. 1.5 to 2 
                   
                 feel the weight and 
               
               
                   
                   
                 months after 
                   
                 growth of hair approx. 
               
               
                   
                   
                 haircut 
                   
                 1 week after haircut. 
               
               
                 Test 
                 Female, 57 
                   
                 A few days 
                 Hair loss was 
               
               
                 user 16 
                   
                   
                   
                 considerably reduced in 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 a few days after use. 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 Combing became easy 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 and hair was 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 volumized, seemingly 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 vitalized. Although 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 having sensitive skin, 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 the product does not 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 cause rush and is mild 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 to the skin. 
               
               
                 Test 
                 Female, 52 
                   
                 50 days 
                 Hair loss was reduced 
               
               
                 user 17 
                   
                   
                   
                 and hair became shinier 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 than before. She was 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 once annoyed with 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 itchiness but is less 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 annoyed now. 
               
               
                 Test 
                 Female, 47 
                 Flat due to fine 
                   
                 Gained light, airy hair 
               
               
                 user 18 
                   
                 hair 
                   
                 with reduced hair loss. 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 Family commented that 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 her hair was volumized. 
               
               
                 Test 
                 Female, 51 
                   
                 1 month 
                 The product was mild 
               
               
                 user 19 
                   
                   
                   
                 to the scalp and hair 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 became moistened and 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 shiny with reduced hair 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 loss. 
               
               
                 Test 
                 Female, 57 
                 Hair on top of 
                 1 month 
                 Hair is gradually 
               
               
                 user 20 
                   
                 the head is fine 
                   
                 becoming resilient. 
               
               
                   
                   
                 and lacks 
               
               
                   
                   
                 resilience. 
               
               
                 Test 
                 Female, 58 
                   
                 40 days 
                 Dandruff and itchiness 
               
               
                 user 21 
                   
                   
                   
                 are gone and hair 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 became resilient and 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 volumized. Besides 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 that, hair grew faster. 
               
               
                 Test 
                 Female, 53 
                 Concerned 
                 1 month 
                 Hair became resilient 
               
               
                 user 22 
                   
                 about limp hair 
                   
                 and firm. 
               
               
                 Test 
                 Female, 58 
                   
                 1.5 months 
                 Relieved from concern 
               
               
                 user 23 
                   
                   
                   
                 about hair loss, and 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 itchiness was also 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 reduced. 
               
               
                 Test 
                 Female, 60 
                   
                 2 months 
                   
                 Becoming less 
               
               
                 user 24 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 concerned about gray 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 hair on the side of the 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 head, which used to 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 annoy her. 
               
               
                 Test 
                 Female, 38 
                   
                 2 months 
                 Hair gained an 
                 Once gray hair was 
               
               
                 user 25 
                   
                   
                   
                 improved touch. 
                 turning to brown, 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 making gray hair less 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 noticeable. 
               
               
                 Test 
                 Female, 61 
                 Concerned 
                 2.5 months 
                 People commented that 
                 Becoming less 
               
               
                 user 26 
                   
                 about thinning 
                   
                 hair was volumized. 
                 concerned about gray 
               
               
                   
                   
                 on top of the 
                   
                   
                 hair on the hair line. 
               
               
                   
                   
                 head 
               
               
                 Test 
                 Female, 34 
                   
                 1.5 months 
                 Hair became shiny. 
                 Gray hair was also 
               
               
                 user 27 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 reduced. 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                 TABLE 2 
               
             
             
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 After use 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                   
                   
                 Time between 
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 initiation of 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 use and 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 manifestation 
                 Hair growth and 
               
               
                 No. 
                 Sex and Age 
                 Before use 
                 of effects 
                 fostering effects 
                 Anti-canities effects 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Test 
                 Male, 57 
                   
                 Half a year 
                 Hair on the front part seems to be 
                   
               
               
                 user 28 
                   
                   
                   
                 increasing. 
               
               
                 Test 
                 Male, 60 
                   
                 Half a year 
                 Hair on top of the head started to 
               
               
                 user 29 
                   
                   
                   
                 grow in thickness. 
               
               
                 Test 
                 Male, 63 
                   
                 Half a year 
                 Downy hair gradually regrew on 
               
               
                 user 30 
                   
                   
                   
                 the back of the head. 
               
               
                 Test 
                 Male, 64 
                   
                 Half a year 
                 The product is non-sticky and 
               
               
                 user 31 
                   
                   
                   
                 feels fresh, and is also effective. 
               
               
                 Test 
                 Male, 64 
                   
                 Half a year 
                 Hair seems to become firm. 
               
               
                 user 32 
                   
                   
                   
                 Once short hair grew longer and 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 seems to be increasing. 
               
               
                 Test 
                 Male, 67 
                   
                 Half a year 
                 Hair remains dandruff-free and 
               
               
                 user 33 
                   
                   
                   
                 non-itchy, and hair started to 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 regrow in once-hairless areas. 
               
               
                 Test 
                 Male, 87 
                 Bald on top 
                 7, 8 months 
                 Short downy hair started to 
               
               
                 user 34 
                   
                   
                   
                 regrow in the back of the head, 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 which is now 4 cm long. 
               
               
                 Test 
                 Male 
                   
                 Half a year 
                 Downy hair slightly increased on 
               
               
                 user 35 
                   
                   
                   
                 the hairline, and hair was 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 volumized overall. 
               
               
                 Test 
                 Male, 60 
                   
                 5, 6 months 
                 Hair loss was reduced. 
               
               
                 user 36 
               
               
                 Test 
                 Male, 68 
                   
                 Half a year 
                 Downy hair is growing on the 
               
               
                 user 37 
                   
                   
                   
                 once completely bald head. 
               
               
                 Test 
                 Female, 70 
                 Thin hair 
                 7 months 
                 Once limp hair was volumized, 
               
               
                 user 38 
                   
                   
                   
                 enabling her to go out without a 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 hat. 
               
               
                 Test 
                 Female 
                 Fine, thin 
                 Half a year 
                 Hair became firm with reduced 
               
               
                 user 39 
                   
                 hair 
                   
                 hair loss. 
               
               
                 Test 
                 Female, 78 
                   
                 Half a year 
                 Downy hair started to regrow on 
                 Gray hair almost 
               
               
                 user 40 
                   
                   
                   
                 the sides of the forehead, where 
                 disappeared. 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 hair was thinning. 
               
               
                 Test 
                 Female, 84 
                   
                 Half a year 
                   
                 Hair turned back 
               
               
                 user 41 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 to black. 
               
               
                 Test 
                 Female, 73 
                   
                 Half a year 
                 Hair started to increase. 
               
               
                 user 42 
               
               
                 Test 
                 Female, 70 
                   
                 7 months 
                 Became less concerned about thin 
               
               
                 user 43 
                   
                   
                   
                 hair on top of the head. 
               
               
                 Test 
                 Female, 77 
                   
                 7 months 
                 Short hair started to regrow. 
               
               
                 user 44 
               
               
                 Test 
                 Female, 73 
                   
                 Half a year 
                 Felt the product was effective. 
               
               
                 user 46 
               
               
                 Test 
                 Female, 60 
                   
                 Half a year 
                 Hairdresser noticed improved hair 
               
               
                 user 47 
                   
                   
                   
                 texture and downy hair started to 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 regrow on the front of the head. 
               
               
                 Test 
                 Female, 81 
                   
                 Half a year 
                 Hair started to gradually increase. 
               
               
                 user 48 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0036]    As is apparent from the above results, the time period until the test users felt any sort of effect was as short as 1 to 2 months with Formulation Example containing the extract of the whole part of a plant belonging to the genus  Cymbidium  of the family Orchidaceae. This was much quicker compared to before, and almost all the test users obtained the hair growth and fostering effects. The newly grown hair was not limited to downy hair and thick hair also started to regrow. Hair gained resilience and firmness and hair loss was also reduced. 
         [0037]    It was further found that many test users also felt profound anti-canities effects with Formulation Example containing the extract of the whole part of a plant belonging to the genus  Cymbidium  of the family Orchidaceae. With regard to this anti-canities effect, although the mechanisms are unknown, many test users commented that it was such that existing hair turned back to black gradually from the root, rather than newly growing hair turning to black gradually from the root, revealing that canities were alleviated in a short period of time. 
         [0038]    In contrast, the test monitors obtained the hair generation and growth effects with Comparative Example containing the extract of the pseudobulb of a plant belonging to the genus  Cymbidium  of the family Orchidaceae only after approximately half a year of use. Moreover, remarkable effects have not been obtained with Comparative Example with only two test users experiencing the anti-canities effects. 
         [0039]    As described above, it was confirmed that the hair growth and fostering agent containing the extract of the whole part of a plant belonging to the genus  Cymbidium  of the family Orchidaceae according to the present invention was effective in terms of both the hair growth and fostering effects and anti-canities effects. 
       Study Example 2 
       [0040]    Subsequently, five males ranging from their 40&#39;s to 70&#39;s were assigned to subjects. The changes in their hair resulting from the use of the hair tonic adjusted according to the aforementioned Formulation Example were recorded photographically and shown in  FIGS. 1 to 10 . As to the study method, the subjects were instructed to apply and spread the aforementioned hair tonic on the head in a normal usage mode and thoroughly massage the head, and perform the above operation once or twice a day. 
         [0041]    The test user A started to use the hair tonic of Formulation Example on Oct. 25, 2009. Thereafter, he noticed that the back of the head was turning back to black, and had his hair photographed on Dec. 13, 2009, which was 48 days after initiation of use. The photograph is shown in  FIG. 1 . That is, he experienced the anti-canities effect in a duration of use of approximately 1.5 months. Approximately 10 months later, another photograph was taken on Oct. 2, 2010, which is shown in  FIG. 2 . Comparing  FIG. 1  with  FIG. 2 , it is found that the color of the hair generally turned back to black with continuous use, showing a continuous anti-canities effect. 
         [0042]    The test user B had more gray hair than black hair according to the condition as shown in the photograph of  FIG. 3 , which was taken at the beginning of use on Oct. 25, 2010. However, according to the condition as shown in the photograph of  FIG. 4 , which was taken approximately 1 month later on Nov. 27, 2010, gray hair almost completely disappeared, revealing that canities were alleviated in as short as one month. Moreover, hair has gained resilience and firmness. 
         [0043]    Compared to the condition as shown in the photograph of  FIG. 5 , which was taken at the beginning of use on Jul. 22, 2010, the test user C achieved hair growth, hair fostering, and anti-canities effects with the use of the hair tonic of Formulation Example. As of Nov. 15, 2010, which was approximately four months later, the anti-canities effects and hair growth and fostering effects were prominently exhibited as shown in the photograph of  FIG. 6 . 
         [0044]    Despite the fact that the test user D is relatively elderly (73 years old), compared to the condition as shown in the photograph of  FIG. 7 , which was taken at the beginning of use on May 30, 2010, canities has been alleviated particularly on top of the head, and moreover, hair has increased according to the condition as shown in the photograph of  FIG. 8 , which was taken approximately six months later on Nov. 23, 2010. That is, the hair generation, hair growth, and anti-canities effects were obtained even in a relatively elderly individual, in whom the revitalization of hair cannot be expected very much. 
         [0045]    In the test user E, it is found that, compared to the condition as shown in the photograph of  FIG. 9 , which was taken at the beginning of use on Oct. 7, 2010, canities has been alleviated while new hair has grown, and moreover, hair has increased according to the condition of the photograph of  FIG. 10 , which was taken only approximately one month later on Nov. 15, 2010. 
         [0046]    As described above, the hair growth and fostering agent of the present invention successfully produced the hair growth and fostering effects and anti-canities effects in a short period of time. 
       INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
       [0047]    The present invention can be usefully employed as a hair growth and fostering agent—having prominent hair growth and fostering effects as well as anti-canities effects without causing side effects in the living body.