Kampo
Kampo (汉 方, also transliterated as KANPO ) is the Japanese name for a herbal medicine ( phytotherapy ), which has its roots in traditional Chinese medicine, however, been made under the specific conditions of traditional Japanese medicine during the modern era as an independent Japanese direction.
The term " Kampo " arrived in Japan only when it was necessary to draw a line against the country urging Western medicine. In the background as a " godfather " the edozeitlichen Termini Kangaku (汉学, China customer), Rangaku (兰 学, Holland customer) and Rampo (兰 方, Holland- direction, Dutch recipes ). " Kampo " means something like "Chinese method ", "Chinese Recipes ".
Kampo may be applied in Japan as moxibustion and acupuncture only by licensed physicians today. Since time immemorial, many of the drugs are imported, they began to select the most effective substances and subjected to a pharmaceutical work-up in Japan to reduce this dependence during the 19th century. This resulted in a higher efficiency and lower doses than in Chinese formulations. At the same time, the number of drugs used decreased. Traditional Chinese Pharmacies have to produce the popular recipes a drug reservoir of approximately 500 individual substances. By contrast, uses the Japanese Kampo medicine combination preparations of about 250 drugs. Statutory regulations are forcing manufacturers to rigorous residue controls on insecticides and herbicides, as well as checks for microbiological contaminants (eg aflatoxins) and heavy metal exposure.
History
Like many other disciplines, the medicine developed in Japan in close cooperation with China. With the onset and from 600 to 894 continuous posting of embassies to China and the Chinese medicine came to the Japanese islands. That during the Heian period based Chinese works compiled Ishinpō (医 心 方, 982 ) is the oldest medical writing of Japanese origin. Over the first centuries, the Chinese teachings were largely unchanged.
A sustained and independent perspective arose only in the 16th century. The study was initiated by physician Tashiro Sanki (1465-1537), who brought the developed during the Jin and Yuan Dynasty lessons from China. Among his pupils Manase Dosan (1507-1594) experienced by Tashiro justified " school of thought of the later age" ( Gosei -ha后世 派, also Goseihō -ha后世 方 派), a strong systematization. At the same time, the recovery of this new school freed the Japanese medicine from the shackles of the previous monastic medicine. But soon resistance to the speculative and impractical elements interspersed 'new' concepts suggested. A to be " Old School direction " ( Koho -ha古 方 派) constituent movement picked up the one on early Chinese classics such as the Shang Han Lun (伤寒 论) back that discusses by cold (han /寒) caused diseases, and stressed the demonstrated the importance of observation, experience and practice. This attitude contributed to the reception of Western medicine, it also enabled the formation of the foundation of the Japanese Kampo medicine.
The eclecticism of Japanese doctors during the Edo period makes the boundaries between local, Chinese and Western medicine difficult. Modern comparisons of East and West ignore almost entirely the complex historical career. A sharp distinction was first made in the Meiji period, after the government decided in 1870 to build on the German model of health care, this introduced an approval system and the traditional medicine curbed by forces.
1967, the Ministry of Health four Kampo preparations on in recognized by the National Health Insurance list of remedies. 1976, there were already 83 preparations, now the number has risen to 148. The Japanese market is dominated by companies Tsumura (ツムラ) and Kracie (クラシエ).