modern kampo

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An interesting suggestion about the use of herbal formulae by physicians

NOT trained in TCM

 

 

 

Title

 

Use of herbal medicine for treating psychiatric disorders in Japan.

 

Author

 

Kanba S; Yamada K; Mizushima H; Asai M

 

Address

 

Department of Neuropsychiatry, Yamanashi Medical University, Nakakoma,

Japan.

 

Source

 

Psychiatry Clin Neurosci, 52 Suppl():S331-3 1998 Dec

 

Abstract

Alongside the Western pharmacotherapy that is now the major medical

modality in Japan, we continue to offer a number of traditional remedies.

We prefer to allow patients to choose between these two approaches, after

explaining the advantages and potential adverse effects of each. Research

into the traditional treatments continues, and we now have a number of

studies available concerning the efficacy of oriental herbal medicine (Kampo

medicine) in Japan. There are about 120 different prescriptions available

for treatment. Herbs are believed to affect both the psyche and soma, and

Kampo medicine does not differentiate between them. Improvement brought

about by herbal medicine is usually mild and slow, but sometimes very drastic.

Side effects are rare. Those that do occur are mostly allergic reactions

to natural substances. Therefore, herbal medicine is especially useful

for elderly patients and patients with physical complications. Prescription

is traditionally selected by judging Sho of a patient. Sho is equivalent

to a syndrome, but comprises psycho and somatic symptoms and signs obtained

by traditional physical examination that focuses constitution, general

physical condition, pulse, abdominal signs, and examination of the tang.

However, currently modern diagnoses are also applied to deciding upon the

prescription. Western physicians can select the appropriate preparation

without having a special knowledge of Oriental medicine. (bold

italics mine)