Abstract: The provision of a GM-CSF increasing agent or a TNF-? modulator, which is a composition comprising Cucurbita moschata, Carthamus tinctorius, Plantago asiatica and Lonicera japonica; or a health food, nutritional supplementary food, or the like for increase of GM-CSF, and the prevention of Crohn's disease and the like, and the prognosis thereof, which comprises Cucurbita moschata, Carthamus tinctorius, Plantago asiatica and Lonicera japonica.

Abstract: The composition of the present invention comprising Cucurbita moschata, Carthamus tinctorius, Plantago asiatica and Lonicera japonica has a follicle-stimulating hormone reduction action. Based on this action, the composition is usable as a preventive, remedy, health food or functional food for diseases, for example, climacteric disturbance, primary hypogonadism (including ovarian hypofunction and testicular deficiency), Turner's syndrome, Klinefelter' s syndrome, gonadotropin-producing tumor, testitis, and primary ovarian amenorrhea and/or hormone-producing tumor.

Abstract: A method for prevention or therapy of pollen allergy, allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, asthma or urticaria by administration of two kinds of crude drugs—seeds of Cucurbita moschata and flowers of Carthamus tinctorius—and at least one crude drug selected from Plantago asiatica, Lonicera japonica, Glycyrrhiza uralensis, Coix lachrymal-jobi var. ma-yuen, Zingiber officinale, Curcuma longa, Curcuma zedoaria and Artemisia argyi to a patient; and a health food for prevention, or improvement, or reduction of these symptoms containing the above substances.

Abstract: By administering a composition comprising pumpkin seed, safflower, plantain and honeysuckle, subjective symptoms (for example, general malaise and abdominal swelling) of a patient with chronic hepatitis C can be eliminated and, moreover, objective symptoms diagnosed by a medical doctor (for example, liver enlargement and palm erythema) can be relieved or eliminated. From 1 to 3 months after the administration of the composition, a significant decrease in hepatitis C virus RNA level is gradually observed. Therefore, the above composition is useful at least as a composition for treating chronic hepatitis C. In particular, it is advantageous in treating a chronic hepatitis C patient showing a high chronic hepatitis C virus RNA level.