SASA HEALTH

What is Sasa Health?

Sasa Health is a pharmaceutical product that was first released in 1969 (Showa 44) and uses active ingredients extracted from Kumazasa (a type of bamboo known as Kumazasa, or "Sasa" in scientific terms).What makes it unique is that it is "the first bear bamboo extract in Japan to be approved as a medicine using technology.

The history of this long-selling product is a complex intertwining of the founder's ideas, the historical background, the difficulties of research and development, the distribution system, and the company's philosophy based on the theme of "bamboo (aquatic plant resources)," making it more interesting than simply being an introduction to a health drink or medicine.

Historical background and development process

Experiences and thoughts during and after the war

The idea that became Sasa Health dates back to the wartime experiences of founder Oizumi Kazuya. During the Pacific War, Kazuya worked for a brewing company in Shizuoka Prefecture, where he was involved in the development and production of "nutritional fortified foods" for the navy. Submarines on long voyages at sea could not be refrigerated, and fresh food gradually became scarce. As a result, there was a risk of developing beriberi and scurvy due to a deficiency of B vitamins and vitamin C. To prevent this, a syrup-like nutritional supplement was apparently given to crew members to drink. It is believed that these experiences formed the basis for the later idea of ​​"utilizing untapped resources." 

Towards the end of the war and after the war, it became difficult to obtain raw materials that had previously been imported. There was a movement to search for new raw materials using plant resources and unused resources that remained in the country. Kazuya focused on bear bamboo, which had previously received little attention and was instead treated by the forestry industry as a "nuisance to reforestation." Bamboo grows naturally in mountainous areas and is a plant that prefers clean environments. In the immediate post-war period, the fact that it was a resource with little prospect of being used for other purposes actually made it a potential research subject. 

In this context, Kazuya and his colleagues first developed a technology to extract "chlorophyll (copper chlorophyllin, etc.)" from bear bamboo using aqueous extraction (a method that does not use organic solvents). This method had advantages in terms of equipment load and safety, as it did not require the use of volatile organic solvents. However, there were many issues, including technical hurdles to ensure purity. Ultimately, the chlorophyll extraction business itself was forced to close. 

However, Kazuya and his colleagues later inherited the former factory site in Chino City, Nagano Prefecture, from a creditor, and began using it as a base to advance research and development of bear bamboo extracts with a view to turning them into a pharmaceutical product. There are examples in existing classical Chinese medicine and herbal medicine literature where the medicinal effects of bamboo (such as bamboo leaves and bamboo leaves) are recorded, and these appear to have been the inspiration for the idea.

Then, in 1968 (Showa 43), the new Yamato Biological Research Institute was established, and the conventional method of using copper ions as a stabilization technology was completely reviewed, and a manufacturing method using iron ions was developed. This was considered technically difficult, but was a success. The following year, in 1969, the Ministry of Health and Welfare (at the time) approved "Sasa Health" as a bear bamboo medicine using this new technology, and it was released on the market.

In this way, Sasa Health has become a pioneer in "medicines made from the plant resource known as bear bamboo."

Distribution and organizational strategy: Establishment of Ryokukenkai and direct sales system

When Sasa Health was first released, wholesale distribution was mainly through pharmacies and drug stores nationwide. However, Takaaki Oizumi, the second-generation president, believed that it was important to properly communicate the benefits of the product, how to use it, and other information to the end user.Direct salesIn 1989 (Heisei 1), the company established the national organization Ryokkenkai to support this direct sales system. This created a foundation for accurately delivering information about Sasa Health to consumers, and awareness of the product gradually increased.

This shift in distribution format was not simply a pursuit of economic efficiency, but was also undertaken with a strong awareness of the need to communicate with consumers and build trust.

Corporate philosophy and symbolic facility: Tateshina Bamboo Botanical Garden

Yamato Biological Research Institute, whose corporate theme is "bamboo grass (Sasa, bamboo grass)," the main ingredient of Sasa Health, has established the "Tateshina Bamboo Grass Botanical Garden" on the grounds of its Tateshina factory in Chino City, Nagano Prefecture, as a symbol of this. Over 120 types of bamboo grass from Japan and abroad are planted there, and the garden boasts the "world's largest" collection.

This botanical garden is in the form of a strolling garden, and is made up of a plant area along a promenade, a teahouse called "Jakuan," a sukiya garden area (including a waiting area, plum-viewing gate, and stone basin), and an experimental field (for experiments in the agricultural use of bamboo pomace, etc.). These are not independent areas, but are organically linked, making it a base for exploring the diversity and possibilities of bamboo.

Furthermore, in 2009, the botanical garden was established as a foundation, and is carrying out activities that contribute to society and the local community through scientific and cultural research on bamboo and bamboo grass. It is also stated that in the future, the garden is considering becoming a sister garden with the Fuji Bamboo Botanical Garden in Shizuoka Prefecture. 

Having such a facility demonstrates that Sasa Health products are not just medicines or health drinks, but exist as a "symbol" of corporate activities that integrate plant resource research, cultural and landscape design, and recycling (zero emissions).

Product features, efficacy, and usage

Product Basic Information

• Classification: Category 3 OTC drug

• Main ingredient: Bear bamboo leaf extract

• Capacity and product composition: 127 ml (1 bottle, 3 bottles, 6 bottles, 12 bottles) and 20 ml (30 bottles)

• Efficacy and effects (from the attached information): Relieves fatigue, loss of appetite, elimination of bad breath and body odor, stomatitis, etc.

• Dosage and administration (from the attached information): Usually, take about 2-3 ml (half the amount for children) three times a day, diluted appropriately with cold water, tea, milk, etc. The dosage may be increased depending on symptoms.

Please note that it is recommended to check the product packaging or manufacturer's website for usage precautions, detailed ingredients, safety information, etc.

Product Attributes

The biggest feature of Sasa Health is that it extracts active ingredients from "bear bamboo, which grows wild in the highlands and is nurtured by clean water and soil," and turns them into medicines. By using bamboo grown in areas with a relatively unpolluted natural environment as its raw material, it claims superior quality. 

In addition, because it has been approved as a medicine, it is emphasized that it is not just a health supplement drink, but a product whose medicinal efficacy has been officially recognized, which differentiates it from other supplements and health drinks.

Continuity and reputation as a long-selling product

Sasa Health is listed as part of the "Long-selling Home Remedy Story," highlighting its longevity in the market. This can be attributed to a combination of factors, including:

1. Technological innovationThere have been constant technological improvements and challenges, such as switching from the copper ion method to the iron ion method and pursuing aqueous extraction methods.

2. Focus on natural resources and corporate philosophyThe idea was to look at bear bamboo as an unused resource, and the ideal was to embody research into this resource by establishing a botanical garden alongside it.

3. Distribution and information transmission strategiesDirect sales system, information transmission to the end user through the establishment of Ryokukenkai, and building trust with consumers.

4. Quality and ReliabilityApproved as a pharmaceutical product, with strict ingredient control and a proven track record of use for many years.

5. Differentiation and uniquenessThe added value of being a rarity as a "medicine derived from bamboo," emphasizing its natural image, and being attached to a research center and botanical garden.

These factors combined give consumers a sense of security that they have known the product for a long time and that it is trustworthy, which is thought to have supported repeat purchases and extended the product's lifespan.

Significance, Social Relevance, and Prospects

The product Sasa Health and the activities surrounding it have social and cultural significance that goes beyond simply generating sales.

• Utilizing plant resources and discovering unused resourcesIn the post-war era, when resources were prone to depletion, efforts to turn to "unused domestic resources" and commercialize and medicate them are progressive in terms of sustainability and resource circulation.

• Coexistence with the local community and the environmentThe company is conscious of creating a recycling-oriented society through activities such as the development of the Tateshina Bamboo Botanical Garden and the operation of an experimental field for agricultural use of industrial waste (such as bamboo pomace). Its environmentally conscious corporate stance can be seen in its efforts to achieve zero emissions.

• Cultural and academic disseminationThe botanical garden will be used for academic research on bamboo species, for biodiversity conservation, and even serve as a tourist attraction for the local landscape, making it a cultural hub that goes beyond being a simple corporate facility.

• Consumer education and trust buildingThe direct sales system, the provision of consumer information by Ryokukenkai, and the product explanations and research publications that have been conducted over many years can be seen as playing a role in deepening consumer understanding and fostering awareness of appropriate use in the pharmaceutical/health product field.

In the future, there are many possibilities, including further research and development to develop new products, increasing awareness both domestically and internationally, international exchange between botanical gardens, and applications in environmental technology.

What is Sasa Health?

Sasa Health is a pharmaceutical product that was first released in 1969 (Showa 44) and uses active ingredients extracted from Kumazasa (a type of bamboo known as Kumazasa, or "Sasa" in scientific terms).What makes it unique is that it is "the first bear bamboo extract in Japan to be approved as a medicine using technology.

The history of this long-selling product is a complex intertwining of the founder's ideas, the historical background, the difficulties of research and development, the distribution system, and the company's philosophy based on the theme of "bamboo (aquatic plant resources)," making it more interesting than simply being an introduction to a health drink or medicine.

Historical background and development process

Experiences and thoughts during and after the war

The idea that became Sasa Health dates back to the wartime experiences of founder Oizumi Kazuya. During the Pacific War, Kazuya worked for a brewing company in Shizuoka Prefecture, where he was involved in the development and production of "nutritional fortified foods" for the navy. Submarines on long voyages at sea could not be refrigerated, and fresh food gradually became scarce. As a result, there was a risk of developing beriberi and scurvy due to a deficiency of B vitamins and vitamin C. To prevent this, a syrup-like nutritional supplement was apparently given to crew members to drink. It is believed that these experiences formed the basis for the later idea of ​​"utilizing untapped resources." 

Towards the end of the war and after the war, it became difficult to obtain raw materials that had previously been imported. There was a movement to search for new raw materials using plant resources and unused resources that remained in the country. Kazuya focused on bear bamboo, which had previously received little attention and was instead treated by the forestry industry as a "nuisance to reforestation." Bamboo grows naturally in mountainous areas and is a plant that prefers clean environments. In the immediate post-war period, the fact that it was a resource with little prospect of being used for other purposes actually made it a potential research subject. 

In this context, Kazuya and his colleagues first developed a technology to extract "chlorophyll (copper chlorophyllin, etc.)" from bear bamboo using aqueous extraction (a method that does not use organic solvents). This method had advantages in terms of equipment load and safety, as it did not require the use of volatile organic solvents. However, there were many issues, including technical hurdles to ensure purity. Ultimately, the chlorophyll extraction business itself was forced to close. 

However, Kazuya and his colleagues later inherited the former factory site in Chino City, Nagano Prefecture, from a creditor, and began using it as a base to advance research and development of bear bamboo extracts with a view to turning them into a pharmaceutical product. There are examples in existing classical Chinese medicine and herbal medicine literature where the medicinal effects of bamboo (such as bamboo leaves and bamboo leaves) are recorded, and these appear to have been the inspiration for the idea.

Then, in 1968 (Showa 43), the new Yamato Biological Research Institute was established, and the conventional method of using copper ions as a stabilization technology was completely reviewed, and a manufacturing method using iron ions was developed. This was considered technically difficult, but was a success. The following year, in 1969, the Ministry of Health and Welfare (at the time) approved "Sasa Health" as a bear bamboo medicine using this new technology, and it was released on the market.

In this way, Sasa Health has become a pioneer in "medicines made from the plant resource known as bear bamboo."

Distribution and organizational strategy: Establishment of Ryokukenkai and direct sales system

When Sasa Health was first released, wholesale distribution was mainly through pharmacies and drug stores nationwide. However, Takaaki Oizumi, the second-generation president, believed that it was important to properly communicate the benefits of the product, how to use it, and other information to the end user.Direct salesIn 1989 (Heisei 1), the company established the national organization Ryokkenkai to support this direct sales system. This created a foundation for accurately delivering information about Sasa Health to consumers, and awareness of the product gradually increased.

This shift in distribution format was not simply a pursuit of economic efficiency, but was also undertaken with a strong awareness of the need to communicate with consumers and build trust.

Corporate philosophy and symbolic facility: Tateshina Bamboo Botanical Garden

Yamato Biological Research Institute, whose corporate theme is "bamboo grass (Sasa, bamboo grass)," the main ingredient of Sasa Health, has established the "Tateshina Bamboo Grass Botanical Garden" on the grounds of its Tateshina factory in Chino City, Nagano Prefecture, as a symbol of this. Over 120 types of bamboo grass from Japan and abroad are planted there, and the garden boasts the "world's largest" collection.

This botanical garden is in the form of a strolling garden, and is made up of a plant area along a promenade, a teahouse called "Jakuan," a sukiya garden area (including a waiting area, plum-viewing gate, and stone basin), and an experimental field (for experiments in the agricultural use of bamboo pomace, etc.). These are not independent areas, but are organically linked, making it a base for exploring the diversity and possibilities of bamboo.

Furthermore, in 2009, the botanical garden was established as a foundation, and is carrying out activities that contribute to society and the local community through scientific and cultural research on bamboo and bamboo grass. It is also stated that in the future, the garden is considering becoming a sister garden with the Fuji Bamboo Botanical Garden in Shizuoka Prefecture. 

Having such a facility demonstrates that Sasa Health products are not just medicines or health drinks, but exist as a "symbol" of corporate activities that integrate plant resource research, cultural and landscape design, and recycling (zero emissions).

Product features, efficacy, and usage

Product Basic Information

• Classification: Category 3 OTC drug

• Main ingredient: Bear bamboo leaf extract

• Capacity and product composition: 127 ml (1 bottle, 3 bottles, 6 bottles, 12 bottles) and 20 ml (30 bottles)

• Efficacy and effects (from the attached information): Relieves fatigue, loss of appetite, elimination of bad breath and body odor, stomatitis, etc.

• Dosage and administration (from the attached information): Usually, take about 2-3 ml (half the amount for children) three times a day, diluted appropriately with cold water, tea, milk, etc. The dosage may be increased depending on symptoms.

Please note that it is recommended to check the product packaging or manufacturer's website for usage precautions, detailed ingredients, safety information, etc.

Product Attributes

The biggest feature of Sasa Health is that it extracts active ingredients from "bear bamboo, which grows wild in the highlands and is nurtured by clean water and soil," and turns them into medicines. By using bamboo grown in areas with a relatively unpolluted natural environment as its raw material, it claims superior quality. 

In addition, because it has been approved as a medicine, it is emphasized that it is not just a health supplement drink, but a product whose medicinal efficacy has been officially recognized, which differentiates it from other supplements and health drinks.

Continuity and reputation as a long-selling product

Sasa Health is listed as part of the "Long-selling Home Remedy Story," highlighting its longevity in the market. This can be attributed to a combination of factors, including:

1. Technological innovationThere have been constant technological improvements and challenges, such as switching from the copper ion method to the iron ion method and pursuing aqueous extraction methods.

2. Focus on natural resources and corporate philosophyThe idea was to look at bear bamboo as an unused resource, and the ideal was to embody research into this resource by establishing a botanical garden alongside it.

3. Distribution and information transmission strategiesDirect sales system, information transmission to the end user through the establishment of Ryokukenkai, and building trust with consumers.

4. Quality and ReliabilityApproved as a pharmaceutical product, with strict ingredient control and a proven track record of use for many years.

5. Differentiation and uniquenessThe added value of being a rarity as a "medicine derived from bamboo," emphasizing its natural image, and being attached to a research center and botanical garden.

These factors combined give consumers a sense of security that they have known the product for a long time and that it is trustworthy, which is thought to have supported repeat purchases and extended the product's lifespan.

Significance, Social Relevance, and Prospects

The product Sasa Health and the activities surrounding it have social and cultural significance that goes beyond simply generating sales.

• Utilizing plant resources and discovering unused resourcesIn the post-war era, when resources were prone to depletion, efforts to turn to "unused domestic resources" and commercialize and medicate them are progressive in terms of sustainability and resource circulation.

• Coexistence with the local community and the environmentThe company is conscious of creating a recycling-oriented society through activities such as the development of the Tateshina Bamboo Botanical Garden and the operation of an experimental field for agricultural use of industrial waste (such as bamboo pomace). Its environmentally conscious corporate stance can be seen in its efforts to achieve zero emissions.

• Cultural and academic disseminationThe botanical garden will be used for academic research on bamboo species, for biodiversity conservation, and even serve as a tourist attraction for the local landscape, making it a cultural hub that goes beyond being a simple corporate facility.

• Consumer education and trust buildingThe direct sales system, the provision of consumer information by Ryokukenkai, and the product explanations and research publications that have been conducted over many years can be seen as playing a role in deepening consumer understanding and fostering awareness of appropriate use in the pharmaceutical/health product field.

In the future, there are many possibilities, including further research and development to develop new products, increasing awareness both domestically and internationally, international exchange between botanical gardens, and applications in environmental technology.

SASA HEALTH [127 mL x 3 bottles] Recovery from fatigue, Loss of appetite

$99.99

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