A multicenter study was carried out in 24 institutions in Kanagawa Pre
fecture, Japan. The subjects were 113 male and 145 female patients, ra
nging in age from 28 to 86 years (mean 63.7) who complained of dryness
of the mouth and throat. The following illnesses were diagnosed: xero
stomia and pharyngoxerosis in 161, radiation xerostomia and pharyngoxe
rosis in 56, chronic pharyngitis with dry mouth and throat in 22, and
Sjogren's syndrome in 7. Eleven patients had other symptoms. The subje
cts were given a 3-g pack of granules of formula ophiopogoins three ti
mes a day before a meal. Their subjective symptoms and objective signs
were examined prior to, 2, and 4 weeks after the beginning of therapy
.