Kampo medicine

For B.Pharm, 4th sem

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. Kampo medicinal store

6. 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.

7. 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 (A pproved 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.