Compared with the limited remedies offered by modern medicine,
kampo medicine can relieve the suffering and discomforts inflicted by
these diseases with relatively satisfactory effectiveness. Many of these
diseases are multifactorial and still difficult to treat with only modern
medicine; however, by correcting imbalance in the whole body, it is
reported that kampo medicines are relatively effective in many cases,
probably by affecting multiple target sites and recovering disturbance of
whole biological systems (Figure 8.2).
This can be seen particularly in older people where diseases are caused
by problems occurring simultaneously in several organs. Modern therapy
Japanese kampo medicine | 229Kiobstruction (abnormality Symptoms Kampo formulae
of vital energy)
Deficiency of ki Decline of vital activity: Shikunshito- listlessness Hochuekkito
- fatigue Shokenchuto
- loss of energy and appetite
- decline of digestive function
Obstruction ofki Feeling of a small item of food Hangekobokuto
obstructing the throat Daikenchuto
Fullness of abdomen
Rising ofki Hot flush Keishikakeito
Palpitation attack starting from
hypogastrium
Ketsudisturbance (abnormality of
bloodstream)
Okestusyndrome (blood stagnation Menstrual disorders Tokakujokito
due to disability of microcirculation) Turgescence of lower abdomen Keishibukuryogan
Tenderness of lower abdomen Tokishakuyakusan
Congestion of skin mucosa and
haemorrhoids
Deficiency of Ketsu Dry skin Shimotsuto
Pigmentation Juzentaihoto
Anaemia Kyukikyogaito
Fatigue
Suidisturbance (disorders of the
body’s fluid metabolism)
Accumulation of water Edema Goreisan
Arthralgia Boiogito
Ascites
Impaired water excretion Urination disorder Seishinrenshiin
Abnormal pituitary secretions Shoseiryuto
Table 8.1Kampo medicines for the disturbance of ki, ketsuand sui