Cosmetics · Plant extracts
Swertia Japonica Extract
センブリエキス (Senburi ekisu)
Also known as: Senburi Extract, Japanese Gentian Extract
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| Category | Cosmetics |
|---|---|
| INCI name | Swertia Japonica Extract↗ |
| Japanese labeling name | センブリエキス |
| Common Japanese notations | センブリエキス, 千振エキス |
| Origin | Plant-derived (Swertia japonica) |
| Typical functions | Scalp conditioning, Skin conditioning |
| Regulatory status in Japan | Cosmetic ingredient listed in the JSCI (Japanese Cosmetic Industry Association) labeling name dictionary. The dried aerial parts are also a Kampo medicinal material (当薬, tōyaku). |
Swertia japonica — senburi — is a bitter gentian-family herb used in Japanese traditional medicine as a digestive aid. Its cosmetic role is primarily in scalp-care products, where it is used in hair tonic formulations with a long-standing presence in Japanese men's grooming.
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Classification
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Product applications
Functions
Regulatory tags
Origin
Common OEM product categories
Finished-product categories where Japanese OEM manufacturers commonly formulate with this ingredient.
- Scalp and hair care
- Hair tonics
- Traditional Kampo preparations (separate context)
Ingredient profile
Swertia japonica extract is produced by water or hydro-alcoholic extraction of the dried aerial parts of Swertia japonica. The extract contains swertiamarin, gentiopicroside, and other secoiridoid compounds, along with xanthones and amarogentin.
The cosmetic extract and the Kampo medicinal material (当薬) share source material but operate under separate regulatory frameworks.
OEM applications
In Japanese cosmetics, senburi extract appears primarily in scalp tonics and hair-loss-related product positioning. It is a common component in traditional-heritage men's hair tonic formulations.
Regulatory classification in Japan
Cosmetic use is permitted under the JSCI dictionary.
Regulatory classification in other markets
| EU | Listed in CosIng. Permitted for cosmetic use. |
|---|---|
| USA | INCI recognized by PCPC. |
| China | Permitted per IECIC listings. |
| Korea | Permitted under KFDA / MFDS. |
Market reference formulations
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Quick answers
- What is Swertia Japonica Extract?
- Swertia japonica — senburi — is a bitter gentian-family herb used in Japanese traditional medicine as a digestive aid. Its cosmetic role is primarily in scalp-care products, where it is used in hair tonic formulations with a long-standing presence in Japanese men's grooming.
- What is the regulatory status of Swertia Japonica Extract in Japan?
- Cosmetic ingredient listed in the JSCI (Japanese Cosmetic Industry Association) labeling name dictionary. The dried aerial parts are also a Kampo medicinal material (当薬, tōyaku).
- What products typically use Swertia Japonica Extract?
- Scalp and hair care / Hair tonics / Traditional Kampo preparations (separate context)
- Where does Swertia Japonica Extract come from?
- Plant-derived (Swertia japonica)
- What is the INCI / JSCI labeling name for Swertia Japonica Extract?
- INCI: Swertia Japonica Extract / JSCI: センブリエキス
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Regulatory guidance
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FAQ for OEM buyers
Q. What is the regulatory status of Swertia Japonica Extract for hair-care claims in Japan?
Swertia Japonica Extract (Senburi) is one of the 厚生労働省 (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare)-approved active ingredients for quasi-drug (iyakubugaihin) hair tonics with claims like 'prevents thinning hair' and 'promotes hair growth'. For these claims the product must be registered as a quasi-drug, not a cosmetic.
Sources · Last reviewed: 2026-04-26
- 厚生労働省 (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare) — Quasi-drug Active Ingredient Standards (Iyakubugaihin Genryō Kikaku)
Q. Can Senburi extract be used in a regular cosmetic (not a quasi-drug)?
Yes — Swertia Japonica Extract is INCI-listed and can appear in regular cosmetic scalp tonics, but only general cosmetic claims (e.g., 'conditions scalp', 'gives the hair a healthy appearance') are allowed in that case. Quasi-drug efficacy claims are off-limits without quasi-drug registration.
Sources · Last reviewed: 2026-04-26
- CosIng database — INCI: Swertia Japonica Extract
- 厚生労働省 (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare) Cosmetic Standards (Keshōhin Kijun) — claim limitations
Q. What is the standard format and use level?
Senburi is typically supplied as a 1:10 hydroethanolic or BG/water extract liquid. In quasi-drug hair tonics it is commonly used in the 0.1-1% range alongside other actives like takanal or pantothenyl ethyl ether.
Sources · Last reviewed: 2026-04-26
- Industry knowledge — Japanese hair tonic formulation patterns
Industry-knowledge claim — not yet pinned to a single primary source
Q. What is the source/sustainability profile?
Swertia japonica is a wild-harvested or cultivated bitter herb native to Japan, Korea, and parts of China. Domestically-cultivated Japanese material is preferred for Made-in-Japan positioning but commands a premium; wild-harvested supply can be variable.
Sources · Last reviewed: 2026-04-26
- 農林水産省 (Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries) — domestic medicinal-plant production data
Use cases
Quasi-drug medicated hair tonic
- Positioning
- Men's anti-thinning / scalp-care tonics — flagship Japan category
- Typical usage level
- 0.1-1% as approved active
- Formulation notes
- Hydroethanolic liquid base; commonly combined with menthol, capsicum tincture, takanal
Sources
- 厚生労働省 (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare) — Quasi-drug Hair Tonic Active Ingredient Standards
Cosmetic scalp essence / serum
- Positioning
- Daily-use scalp wellness — softer cosmetic positioning vs. quasi-drug tonic
- Typical usage level
- 0.5-2% liquid extract
- Formulation notes
- Compatible with low-alcohol or alcohol-free serum bases
Sources
- Industry knowledge — Japanese scalp-care market
Industry-knowledge claim — not yet pinned to a single primary source
Heritage-positioned shampoo
- Positioning
- Traditional Japanese herb / Kampo-adjacent storytelling
- Typical usage level
- 0.5-2%
- Formulation notes
- Used as supporting botanical alongside other Japanese herbs (tōki, dokudami, etc.)
Sources
- Industry knowledge — Japanese hair-care market
Industry-knowledge claim — not yet pinned to a single primary source
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Official regulatory databases
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References
- JSCI (Japanese Cosmetic Industry Association) labeling name directory — センブリエキス
- EU CosIng entry: Swertia Japonica Extract
Last updated: 2026-04-22. Ingredient entries are reviewed at least annually against current regulatory listings.