Contemporary Standards Plus Ancient Wisdom Makes Kampo Effective and Safe for Medical Treatment

Though practically everyone is familiar with traditional Chinese medicine, far fewer have heard about the traditional Japanese medicine called Kampo. This herb-based system of medicine is in fact based on the Chinese system and it is highly esteemed and gaining popularity here in the West, especially among experts in Eastern medicine. In use for more than 1,400 years, in contemporary Japan Kampo is rigorously researched and tested and now is fully incorporated into their health care system. And Kampo is gaining traction here as well.

Kampo History

The Japanese modern approach adapts classical Chinese formulas to Japanese culture. Though for a time Kampo was less popular in Japan than our Western antibiotics and surgical techniques, Kampo has lately experienced a resurgence — and evidence-based research findings and standardization continue to advance it even further. As with our own FDA, in Japan the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare approves the formulas for reimbursement under the national health insurance. Seventy-five percent of Japanese doctors currently prescribe Kampo formulas for their patients.

I learned this and more from Dan Wen, MD, president of Honso USA, a major distributor of Japanese herbal formulas in the US. He told me that most of the Kampo formulas use raw herbs, and that the final product must adhere to strict rules for quality and consistency in Japan, standards to which Honso holds products distributed in America as well. Unlike Chinese medicine, which uses literally thousands of herbal combinations, the Kampo system uses fewer than 200 for treatment of most diseases and complaints. In part, this is because limiting the number of products makes it easier to uphold strict standards for research, Dr. Wen told me.

Kampo and You

According to Dr. Wen, Kampo is meant to be used as a system — unlike the Western model of medicine, which treats specific symptoms in isolation. Kampo practitioners evaluate a patient’s whole current condition to decide what formula or combination is needed.

For instance, for gastrointestinal (GI) complaints, research conducted at Japan’s Keio University School of Medicine confirmed that a formulation called Rikkunshi-to helps reduce symptoms of functional dyspepsia (sour stomach with burping, appetite interference, etc.) as well as the fatigue associated with such GI disorders as ulcers and gastritis. Another formula tested was Hange-shashin-to, which is shown to reduce gastric distress from cancer drugs and is helpful for IBS with constipation, as well as nausea and vomiting from gastritis. Dr. Wen told me that the herbs work by increasing GI motility in general, thereby helping the bowels to function better overall.

The dosage most often prescribed of these formulas is three packets of granules per day stirred into water and taken between meals (though if they cause stomach irritation, Dr. Wen suggests taking them with food). They work quickly and therefore can be used to treat the occasional bout of constipation or other transient problems. Those taking the preparations for chronic conditions, such as IBS, need to continue for two to three months while under the care and monitoring of a health care practitioner, who will adjust dosing as needed.

Is Kampo Safe?

Kampo formulations can have powerful effects on individuals, but in the US, they are considered dietary supplements and as such don’t require prescription. To discourage patients from self-treating, which isn’t as likely to be effective, Honso products are distributed only through licensed US practitioners. Here in the US, that’s mainly licensed acupuncturists, Chinese herbal medicine practitioners, naturopathic physicians and osteopaths, and other health care specialists knowledgeable about alternative medicines.

Japan requires that adverse events be reported for Kampo medicines, just as we do with pharmaceuticals here in this country. Thus far, Kampo medicines have been shown to be very safe. However, for those with high blood pressure, Dr. Wen cautions about use of formulas that contain a compound of licorice (glycyrrhizin) such as Hange-shashin-to. He said that the amount of glycyrrhizin in most formulas is under the FDA guidelines of safe level (100 mg per day), but if a person takes other products that contain licorice, that level may be exceeded. Additionally, Sho-saiko-to may be contraindicated for use with certain medications such as interferon — another reason it is important to be treated by a knowledgeable practitioner. If you have trouble locating a practitioner in your area who treats with Kampo, Dr. Wen says to e-mail Honso (info@honso.com) and someone there will be able to give you a local referral.