Kampo originated in Japan in the 6th century AD from traditional Chinese medicine. It is based on balancing physical and mental health using herbal remedies. Kampo medicines combine multiple natural ingredients like plants, minerals and shells according to traditional formulas. They are prepared as extracts or decoctions and also come in modern forms like tablets. Kampo continues to be widely used in Japan where doctors can prescribe both Western and Kampo medicines.

2. History
Origins
• Kampo (Chinese medical practices) originally came to Japan from China in the sixth
century A.D.
• Kampo means the medicine transmitted from Kan (the Chinese Han dynasty) while western
medicine was called Rampo (medicine from Holland).
• According to Chinese mythology, the origins of traditional Chinese medicine are traced
back to the three legendary supreme rulers.
 Fuxi,
 Shen Nong and
 Yellow Emperor
• Shen Nong is believed to have tasted hundreds of herbs to ascertain their medicinal value
and effects on the human body and help relieve people of their sufferings. The oldest written
record focussing solely on the medicinal use of plants was the Shennong Ben Cao
Jing which was compiled around the end of the first century B.C. and is said to have
classified 365 species of herbs or medicinal plants.
• In 1608, Empress Suiko dispatched E-Nichi, Fuku-In and other young physicians to China.
It is said that they studied medicine there for 15 years. Until 1838 Japan sent 19
missions to Tang China. While the officials studied Chinese government structures,
physicians and many of the Japanese monks absorbed Chinese medical knowledge.

3. The underlying idea of Kampo
is that the human body and
mind are inseparable and a
balance of physical and mental
is essential for human health.

4. Definition
• Kampo medicines are herbal drugs made from natural
ingredients of plant, animal, and mineral origin that are
prepared according to classical Kampo theories.
• Kampo uses many familiar materials as medicinal
ingredients; for example, "Keihi", commonly known as
cinnamon, and "Borei", which is oyster shell. Several
natural ingredients are mixed according to traditional
formulae to draw out a synergistic effect from each
other.

5. Preparation of Kampo medicines
• Traditionally, Kampo medicines are prepared by blending
cut natural herbs and boiling them in water to infuse them.
• The resulting decoctions have distinct tastes and flavors.
• Today in Japan the traditional method of preparation is still
practiced.
• The production system for these Kampo medicines is
supported by techniques of the highest level in the world,
enabling stable supply of quality Kampo medicines with
high concentrations of herbal extracts, while precisely
following the authentic recipes in classical prescriptions.
• Today, Kampo medicines are available in a wide range of
formulations such as fine granules, powders, tablets,
capsules, and solutions, just like modern western
medicines.

9. Kampo medicinal store

10. Kampo for further development of
medicine
• In Japan, Kampo medicines both for clinical use and
over-the-counter sales are contributing to public health
and are expected to evolve even further.
• Currently, Japan is the only country where clinical
doctors are permitted to prescribe both western types
of medicines and Kampo medicines at the same time.
Therefore the application of Kampo medicines and
their contribution to clinical treatments in Japan are
very worthy of attention, to fully appreciate the great
future potential of Kampo for opening a new path for
modern medicine.

11. ADVANTAGES/SIGNIFICANCES
• Extract medicines, unlike old-style Kampo crude herb mixtures, are easy to
carry around, can be taken anytime anywhere, and have a good shelf life.
• Kampo is derived entirely from natural ingredients using certified
manufacturing practices and is subject to modern quality control and laboratory
testing (GMP, GLP).
• Kampo remedies are favored by many people as alternatives to synthetic
pharmaceuticals because they are well known to produce fewer side effects than
many of those more modern medicines.
• A Keio University group, headed by Dr. Watanabe, reports that there have been
over one hundred clinical trials involving kampo conducted internationally.
• Prescription, manufacture, and sale of kampo is strictly regulated by the
Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (Approved in 1976).
Typically, a doctor prescribing kampo will keep his patient under observation
for about two weeks to determine the medicine’s effect before making further
prescriptions. Kampo provides yet another treatment option for foreign visitors
in search of healthcare.