Makise Medical Center
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Makise Medical Center
I believe I have been acquainted with the shell ginger plant for over 15 years now. As such, it is a very familiar plant to me. However, I assume many readers might not be aware of it, so I’ll briefly explain. Its scientific name is Alpinia zerumbet. It’s an evergreen perennial that grows to a height of 2 to 4 meters. It is native to Southeast Asia and Southern India, found across tropical to subtropical Asia, and can be seen in Japan from Okinawa Prefecture to the southern part of Kyushu. It especially thrives in the wild in Okinawa, where it’s also referred to as ‘Sannin’ among other names. It blooms with white flowers, as shown in the photo, around May and June.
Okinawa is one of the “Blue Zones”. The term “Blue Zone” refers to regions with a high concentration of healthy and long-lived individuals. Apart from Okinawa, other Blue Zones include Sardinia in Italy, Nicoya in Costa Rica, Ikaria in Greece, and Loma Linda in California. However, due to rapid changes in diet and lifestyle in modern times, the lifespan of Okinawan men has decreased, and it can no longer be referred to as a Blue Zone. Nevertheless, Okinawa is still famously known worldwide as the “island of longevity”.
Having pursued “anti-aging” and “rejuvenation” as one of my themes, the secrets of Okinawa have always intrigued me. What exactly has contributed to the health and longevity of its inhabitants? One factor I’ve focused on is the shell ginger plant. In Okinawa, its leaves are powdered and mixed with soba noodles, brewed as tea, and recently, due to its improving effects of skin luster, its leaf extract has been used in lotions. It’s being utilized in various ways.
One of my medical themes has been to introduce the world to hidden traditional Japanese herbs and medical techniques, such as osteopathy derived from ancient Japanese martial arts, which are yet to gain global recognition. Shell ginger is a prime example.
However, the world is largely unaware of the health benefits of this plant. Even the “Bencao Gangmu”, a classic Chinese pharmacopeia published in the 16th century, does not mention shell ginger. The plant boasts a rich profile of polyphenols like ferulic acid, quercetin, and kaempferol. In addition, it contains substances like kavalactones — previously believed to be found only in the South Pacific’s kava — and hispidin, which was earlier identified exclusively in mushrooms. Thanks to these diverse health-promoting components, shell ginger has potential benefits against a variety of ailments.
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Now, I have blended this shell ginger with unique Japanese ingredients like wasabi and hizu, creating an enhanced version of a supplement. I will provide brief explanations for each of them.
The term “wasabi” is now recognized in English, mainly due to its use in sushi. However, its health benefits are surprisingly not well-known. The unique pungent component of genuine wasabi (Wasabia japonica) is known as “6-Methylsulfinylhexyl Isothiocyanate (6-MSITC),” which is exclusive to wasabi. This component has various health-promoting effects.
As the term 6-Methylsulfinylhexyl Isothiocyanate is a mouthful, the company “Kinjirushi” – which has been researching wasabi for years – has trademarked it as “Wasabi Sulfinyl®.” Henceforth, we will refer to it as Wasabi Sulfinyl®. Wasabi Sulfinyl® contains 0.8% of 6-MSITC.
Wasabi, especially, can be expected to have outstanding effects on enhancing cognitive functions. When consumed as Wasabi Sulfinyl® at 100mg/day (0.8mg/day as 6-MSITC) for 8 weeks, it shows potential in improving certain cognitive functions in sedentary middle-aged to elderly individuals, such as decision-making (the ability to process information accurately) and attentiveness. This has been proven in human clinical trials. Our JIPANG Ginger Wasabi contains 0.4mg of 6-MSITC in one capsule. By taking two capsules a day, you can achieve a total intake of 0.8mg. Furthermore, each capsule contains 230mg of powdered shell ginger leaves. These leaves are rich in ferulic acid, which also benefits cognitive function. Thus, there’s a double effect.
Recently, the number of people with CKD (Chronic Kidney Disease) has been increasing. If your eGFR (estimated glomerular filtration rate) is below 60, it indicates that your kidneys are functioning at less than 60%. Generally, this stage is not yet labeled as chronic kidney disease, but there are many people in this condition. If the eGFR is around 45-59, even if albumin is not found in urine, it’s advisable to take action as soon as possible. Otherwise, in the worst-case scenario, dialysis might become inevitable. Wasabi Sulfinyl® can help in preventing this situation. When the eGFR is in the 45-59 range, there are hardly any noticeable symptoms. Furthermore, doctors often don’t pay much attention to it, which can be dangerous.