What is Kampo, really?
You've heard the word, but never quite pinned it down. Kampo can feel like a distant thing — yet look a little closer, and what you find is a surprisingly modern idea, one that begins with who you are.
Where does Kampo come from?
Kampo traces its roots to the traditional medicine of ancient China. Around the sixth century it reached Japan, where it was refined over the centuries. It is close to — yet distinct from — Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM): Kampo evolved to suit Japanese life and the constitutions of the people here. The reason the word “Kampo” travels untranslated is that it is recognised as a system of its own, made in Japan.
Is Kampo a medicine or a supplement?
In Japan, Kampo medicines are approved pharmaceuticals, governed by the Pharmaceutical and Medical Devices Act — though some people picture Kampo as a health food or a supplement. The quality of the crude drugs (shoyaku — medicinal plants, minerals and the like), the amount of each component, and the manufacturing process are all strictly controlled. Their indications are stated in the package insert, and only those meeting national standards reach the shelf. Traditional wisdom, backed by the standards of a modern medicine — that is what Kampo is in Japan.
Why can the same symptom lead to a different formula for each person?
Where Western medicine tends to begin from a diagnosis, Kampo begins from the whole person. Perhaps the most fascinating idea in Kampo is “sho” (pattern / constitution) — a picture of your body and its current state, a kind of map of you right now. So even for the same concern — feeling the cold, say — the formula one person reaches for can differ with their stamina and circulation. To hold your own constitution as a kind of measure: that is a first step in considering which of the many options might suit you.
A word from the pharmacist
Kampo is not magic. But to hold a sense of your own constitution can be a quiet first step as you begin to think about caring for yourself.
For me, in a time when I felt close to breaking, the way of thinking we call Kampo quietly gave me heart.
When it comes to choosing a formula and staying with it, what matters is watching how it suits your constitution, how it combines with other medicines, and how you feel from day to day. When you do choose, I'd gently encourage you to talk it over with a pharmacist.
— Natsuko Shibata, Pharmacist (licensed in Japan)
Which type are you?
The Kampo Compass type check is a general information tool for narrowing down candidate formulas from many. It does not provide individual diagnosis or prescription.
From 20 constitution types, see which one is closest to you now. About 3 minutes, free.
This page offers general information for educational purposes and is not intended to diagnose or treat any condition. The result of the type check is reference information and is not a substitute for diagnosis or treatment by a physician. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a chronic condition, or are taking any medication, please consult a physician or pharmacist.
Seasonal notes on Kampo and gentle self-care, delivered by email.
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