About this Research Topic

Background

Traditional Japanese (Kampo) Medicine is gradually being used in many medical fields in Japan. Its unforeseen significant effect is occasionally observed in patients with intractable diseases that western-style medicines don’t work at all. Moreover, the Kampo concept of tonifying is used in persons with frailty or intractable infections such as MRSA or multi-drug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa. It is also applicable in both emergency and intensive care units. For example, syakuyakukanzoto enables the rapid control of myalgia and is used to treat tetanus-induced convulsions. Goreisan is used for fluid disturbance and for the treatment of vertigo and acute gastroenteritis. Furthermore, blood disturbance is effective for the acute treatment of trauma. Formulations that are useful for treating static blood, such as keishibukuryogan and jidabokuippo, can be used.

The goal of this Research Topic is to understand that Kampo medicine is recognized to be effective in a variety of medical areas in a modern society. Kampo medicine might be applied to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) as well, since it has been used for viral infections such as influenza. Heat-clearing formula such as saikatsugekito is expected to prevent serious illnesses in mild cases. Tonic formula such as hochuekkito may prevent infections since it has multiple effects through the digestive and immune systems, including for acute viral infections and chronic inflammation. Thus, the quality of acute and chronic treatment strategies may be improved by taking advantage of all available medical resources and practices such as Western and Kampo medicines.

Treatments for acute infection, poisoning, or resuscitation are described in Shanghan Lun and Jin Gui Yao Lue, regarded as “emergency manuals”, both written by Zhang Zhongjing (150-219). We should apply such manuals as a gift of wisdom from ancestors and use them as suitable for our modern society.

Herein, we would like to discuss the potentials of Kampo medicine in a modern society using the diagnosis of Kampo medicine and Kampo treatments. In Kampo medicine, the tongue acts as a mirror reflecting the body’s internal state. The tongue’s overall appearance or quality of the tongue is one of the most important diagnostic tools in Kampo medicine. In short, manuscripts related to tongue diagnosis including education system is also welcomed.
We look forward to your submission of such manuscripts as Reviews, Original Articles, and Case reports.

Shin Takayama belong to the Department of Kampo and Integrative Medicine at Tohoku University School of Medicine. The department received a grant from Tsumura, a Japanese manufacturer of Kampo medicine. Takao Namiki has received a grant in collaboration with Tsumura Co Ltd.

Keywords: Luminal Nutrient Absorption, Tonic Formula, Tongue Diagnosis, Viral Infection, Trace Element

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