Category:CD

Kampo/Crude Drug Wiki    (漢方・生薬Wiki)

Contents 1 Kampo Medicine 1.1 Kampo ≠ Chinese Medicine 1.2 But don't we say English or German medicine? 1.3 The Standards for Kampo Formulas 2 Japanese Pharmacopoeia 2.1 Japanese Pharmacopoeia is a law 3 Literature Information 4 Availability, Production Methods, Examinations 5 Image Gallery

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Chinese Medicines

Kampo Medicine

Kampo ≠ Chinese Medicine

Kampo is not TCM "Kampo", or ancient Chinese (漢) art (方) if literally translated, is the Japan's assimilated version of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). It was already organized as a system in the 16th century and has been refined in a Japanese tradition since. Its notable difference from TCM is the formulation in the unitary medical system with European Medicine. It is neither complementary nor alternate medicine in Japan. In the WHO document, Kampo is defined as "the medicine traditionally practiced in Japan, based on ancient Chinese medicine". We might call it "the traditional Japanese medicine" but this expression should include acupuncture and moxibustion treatment and is a larger concept than Kampo.

Portable Medicine Cabinet (Edo era; 1862) (reproduced with permission from Naito Museum of Pharmaceutical Science and Industry}}

But don't we say English or German medicine?

Western medicine is based on chemical structures, and each structure is (or was) patented. In this sense, their origin is clear. On the other hand, traditional herbal medicine is one major intellectual-property issue related to biological diversity. It is therefore important to clarify origins and install an appropriate international standard.

Summary (more)

• Kampo Medicine
  Mixed recipes of crude drugs in Japanese distinct style, originally based on classic literature such as "Shokanron" and "Kinkiyoryaku" from ancient China.
• Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
  Mixed recipes of crude drugs in China. It is more flexible depending on patients' conditions and uses hundreds of raw materials from plants as well as animal origins.
• Folk Medicine
  Usually single crude drugs used by tradition or hunch.

Society Information

• Special Issue Current Kampo Medicine

The Standards for Kampo Formulas

The New Standards for Kampo Formulas

In early 1970, the Ministry of Health and Welfare (now Health, Labor and Welfare) summarized the byelaw published as "Guideline for General Kampo Formulas" (Edited by MHW and the committee in FPMAJ, Published by Jiho), which has been known as 'The 210 formulas' for 30 years. In 2008, it underwent a significant revision and 213 formulas are listed as "Standards of Approval for the Kampo Formulation". The difference is introduced here (in Japanese).

• 一般用漢方製剤承認基準 (PDF in Japanese by MHLW)

Japanese Pharmacopoeia

Japanese Pharmacopoeia is a law

(Japanese) Pharmacopoeia is a book with legal force containing directions to identify and qualify medicinal compounds that may be used in Japan. Its revision process therefore requires utmost attention. Since it is a legal document, there are some side effects such as for the scientific name of Cinnamon.

Crude Drugs in Kampo Medicine

In addition to Western medicines, around 150 crude drugs are listed in the Japanese Pharmacopoeia. On our site, their details are introduced with links to available Kampo formulas.

• Japanese Pharmacopoeia (English version by MHLW)

Literature Information

This site contains 7677 article information on Kampo formulas. They are listed at the bottom of each page for Kampo prescription.

Availability, Production Methods, Examinations

• By Tochimoto Tenkaido Co. Ltd.

Image Gallery

• By Alps Pharmaceutical Industry Co. Ltd.
• By NTS Book Inc.