New Material "Igusa Extract Powder SH" Leading to Brain Function Improvement to Exhibit at Health Food Ingredients & OEM Exhibition 2026
Hagihara Co., Ltd. will participate in an exhibition in Tokyo in April 2026 to introduce an innovative material that supports brain health, utilizing new components derived from Igusa.
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- 📰 Published: March 31, 2026 at 19:00
Hagihara Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture; President: Hideyasu Hagihara) will exhibit at the Health Food Ingredients & OEM Exhibition 2026, held on April 16 (Thursday) and 17 (Friday), 2026, at the Tokyo International Forum.
At this exhibition, we will introduce new Igusa-derived materials expected to improve brain function, aiming to build new partnerships with companies engaged in the development of health foods and supplements.
■ Background of Exhibition
For many years, our company has explored the potential health benefits of Igusa and successfully commercialized our unique health food ingredient, "Igusa Extract Powder SH." In a super-aging society where interest in "brain health" is rapidly increasing, we are confident that this material can contribute to enhancing the value of new products for companies developing health foods and supplements.
We decided to exhibit at this exhibition to directly introduce this groundbreaking new material to industry professionals and create opportunities for business collaboration.
■ Exhibition Content
At our booth, we will showcase 'Igusa Extract Powder SH,' which supports brain health.
Birth of Igusa Extract Powder SH
As a manufacturer handling Igusa materials, Hagihara Co., Ltd. meticulously analyzed each component of this plant to uncover its true power. As a result, we discovered previously unknown Igusa-specific components: "efusol" and "dehydroefusol."
These components possess a very unique structure (a phenanthrene skeleton, similar to the analgesic morphine). Given their high lipophilicity and low water solubility, our research began with the hypothesis: "Could these components reach the brain via oral intake and act on nerves?"
Igusa has long been used in traditional Chinese medicine under the name "Toshinso" (lamp wick grass), known as a crude drug to calm irritation and soothe night crying in children. Furthermore, overseas studies have reported anxiolytic and sedative effects. We hypothesized that it could be effective for neurological conditions such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, and conducted animal model experiments in joint research with Professor Emeritus Atsushi Takeda of Shizuoka Prefectural University.
The results exceeded our expectations. In groups administered efusol and dehydroefusol, neuronal cell death was significantly suppressed, revealing the potential to protect brain health. After many years of research, we elucidated its mechanism of action and finally commercialized this Igusa-derived component as a health food ingredient.
Details:
https://e-hagihara.co.jp/ourbusiness/igusapw/
■ Message to Visitors
This is an excellent opportunity to provide valuable information to companies considering the development of health foods and supplements, or those aiming to enhance the added value of existing products. Please visit our booth.
Exhibition Name: Health Food Ingredients & OEM Exhibition 2026
Booth Number: J09
Dates: April 16 (Thursday) - 17 (Friday), 2026, 10:00 - 17:00
Venue: Tokyo International Forum
Organizer: Health Business Media Co., Ltd.
Target Visitors: Professionals in the health food and supplement industry
Hagihara Co., Ltd. is a company with a 134-year history, founded in 1892 and based in Okayama and Kurashiki. Leveraging its deep expertise cultivated over many years as a manufacturer of Igusa materials, the company is currently engaged in the research, development, and provision of health food ingredients derived from Igusa.
[Hagihara Co., Ltd. Official Website]
https://e-hagihara.co.jp
At this exhibition, we will introduce new Igusa-derived materials expected to improve brain function, aiming to build new partnerships with companies engaged in the development of health foods and supplements.
■ Background of Exhibition
For many years, our company has explored the potential health benefits of Igusa and successfully commercialized our unique health food ingredient, "Igusa Extract Powder SH." In a super-aging society where interest in "brain health" is rapidly increasing, we are confident that this material can contribute to enhancing the value of new products for companies developing health foods and supplements.
We decided to exhibit at this exhibition to directly introduce this groundbreaking new material to industry professionals and create opportunities for business collaboration.
■ Exhibition Content
At our booth, we will showcase 'Igusa Extract Powder SH,' which supports brain health.
Birth of Igusa Extract Powder SH
As a manufacturer handling Igusa materials, Hagihara Co., Ltd. meticulously analyzed each component of this plant to uncover its true power. As a result, we discovered previously unknown Igusa-specific components: "efusol" and "dehydroefusol."
These components possess a very unique structure (a phenanthrene skeleton, similar to the analgesic morphine). Given their high lipophilicity and low water solubility, our research began with the hypothesis: "Could these components reach the brain via oral intake and act on nerves?"
Igusa has long been used in traditional Chinese medicine under the name "Toshinso" (lamp wick grass), known as a crude drug to calm irritation and soothe night crying in children. Furthermore, overseas studies have reported anxiolytic and sedative effects. We hypothesized that it could be effective for neurological conditions such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, and conducted animal model experiments in joint research with Professor Emeritus Atsushi Takeda of Shizuoka Prefectural University.
The results exceeded our expectations. In groups administered efusol and dehydroefusol, neuronal cell death was significantly suppressed, revealing the potential to protect brain health. After many years of research, we elucidated its mechanism of action and finally commercialized this Igusa-derived component as a health food ingredient.
Details:
https://e-hagihara.co.jp/ourbusiness/igusapw/
■ Message to Visitors
This is an excellent opportunity to provide valuable information to companies considering the development of health foods and supplements, or those aiming to enhance the added value of existing products. Please visit our booth.
Exhibition Name: Health Food Ingredients & OEM Exhibition 2026
Booth Number: J09
Dates: April 16 (Thursday) - 17 (Friday), 2026, 10:00 - 17:00
Venue: Tokyo International Forum
Organizer: Health Business Media Co., Ltd.
Target Visitors: Professionals in the health food and supplement industry
Hagihara Co., Ltd. is a company with a 134-year history, founded in 1892 and based in Okayama and Kurashiki. Leveraging its deep expertise cultivated over many years as a manufacturer of Igusa materials, the company is currently engaged in the research, development, and provision of health food ingredients derived from Igusa.
[Hagihara Co., Ltd. Official Website]
https://e-hagihara.co.jp
FAQ
What is Igusa Extract Powder SH?
It is a new health food ingredient derived from Igusa, expected to improve brain function. It contains unique components called efusol and dehydroefusol.
What effects can be expected?
Animal studies have shown suppression of neuronal cell death and improvement in cognitive and motor functions, suggesting its potential to contribute to brain health.
Where can I learn more about this material?
You can find more details at the Hagihara Co., Ltd. booth at the "Health Food Ingredients & OEM Exhibition 2026" held on April 16-17, 2026, at Tokyo International Forum.