Pharmacopsychiatry 2019; 52(06): 251-260
DOI: 10.1055/a-0637-9760
Review
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Kampo, A Japanese Traditional Medicinal System for Psychiatric Conditions: A Narrative Review

Laina Tatsumi
1   Department of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
,
Takefumi Suzuki
1   Department of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
2   Department of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Ethics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan
,
Kazuo Yamada
3   Department of Psychiatry, Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University Hospital, Sendai, Japan
,
Masaru Mimura
1   Department of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
4   Center for Kampo Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
,
Hiroyuki Uchida
1   Department of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
5   Geriatric Psychiatry Division, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

received 27 January 2018
revised 15 May 2018

accepted 25 May 2018

Publication Date:
25 June 2018 (online)

Abstract

Introduction Kampo is a Japanese traditional medicinal system and is represented by unity of mind and body. It is originally based upon Chinese traditional medicine but has uniquely developed in Japan.

Methods A narrative review on the use of Kampo for psychiatric conditions is provided.

Results Kampo formula is a combination of several crude ingredients; most derive from natural plants and some from animals and minerals. These Kampo formulae are widely prescribed in almost all medical disciplines, including psychiatry, in Japan; they have been used for various psychiatric disorders such as dementia, schizophrenia spectrum disorders, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and personality disorders. Kampo is a versatile traditional medicine with a variety of positive effects on mental states with relatively benign side effect profiles. Kampo formulae can be adjunctively combined with or substituted for the Western psychotropic drugs, which will provide more treatment options to patients with psychiatric conditions.

Discussion This review summarizes the current knowledge on Kampo for psychiatric conditions, highlighting a paucity of data and a need for further good-quality evidence on these medications.

 
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