Key Facts about Kampo Herbal Medicine in Japan
In a survey conducted by M3 Inc., the Japan’s largest dedicated site for healthcare professionals, in 2024, 79.3% (1143 out of 1441) of the participating physician members responded that they integrate Kampo herbal medicine into their practice for various medical cases. In this survey, 41% of physicians prescriptive more than 10 Kampo in their daily practices.
The main questions are as follows:
Q. Are you prescribing Kampo medicine? (Single choice)
When asking 1,441 physicians whether they are currently prescribing Kampo medicine, 79.3% (1,143 physicians) answered “Yes.” 11.6% (167 physicians) answered “I used to prescribe it, but I don’t do it anymore,” and 9.1% (131 physicians) answered “I have never prescribed it.”
In the previous survey conducted in October 2022, the answers were as follows: 75.6% “Yes,” 14.7% “I used to prescribe it, but I don’t do it anymore,” and 9.7% “I have never prescribed it.”
In a survey from March 2017, the results were: 81.2% “Yes,” 11.7% “I used to prescribe it, but I don’t anymore,” and 7.1% “I have never prescribed it.”
By specialty, excluding the 15 unknown answers, the percentage of physicians who prescribed Kampo medicine was 10 % points higher than the overall average in the following four specialties: Nephrology and Urology (93.1%), Neurology (92.9%), Obstetrics and Gynecology (92.3%), and Psychiatry (90.1%).
Q. To the doctors who answered “Yes” to the question “Are you prescribing Kampo medicine?”, approximately what percentage of your patients who are prescribed oral medicine are also prescribed Kampo medicine? (Single choice)
Among the 1,143 physicians who answered “Yes” to prescribing Kampo medicine, when asked what percentage of their patients prescribed oral medication also receive Kampo medicine, 35.3% answered “Less than 10%.” The others were: 27.6% answered “Between 10% and less than 20%,” and 15.2% answered “Between 20% and less than 30%.”
You may also want to read the article ‘Usage of Kampo Medicine by Physicians in Japan‘ for more insights from past surveys.
The Japanese medical healthcare system has maintained a high rate of herbal medicine usage by physicians for thousands of years, up to the present day, which is significant and the most unique aspect of Kampo medicine compared to other countries where herbal medicine is practiced. It’s because only Western medical physicians or pharmacists are allowed to prescribe herbal medicine in Japan; Eastern practitioners, who typically practice traditional medicine including acupuncture is not authorized to do so.
These facts are advantageous not only for Eastern medical practitioners but are also greatly supportive for Western medical practitioners around the world. We see them as having the potential to create a positive impact by increasing options in pharmacotherapy, introducing new treatment methods, and reducing pharmaceutical side effects.
Why are these facts important?
1. Shifting General Perceptions of Eastern Medicine
Firstly and most importantly, clinical evidence from herbal medicine provided by Western medical physicians offers valuable insights from a medical professional standpoint, compared to insights derived solely from Eastern or traditional practices and theories, particularly in areas such as treatment modalities. This aspect signifies not only an acceptance of herbal efficacy but also furthers the potential for collaboration and integration within Western medical practice, making it a valuable model for both Western and Eastern medical practitioners worldwide.
2. Addressing the limitations of Western medicine
As many physicians in Japan responded to the survey, there are some treatment limitations for certain medical conditions. It’s because Western medicine primarily focuses on treating symptoms rather than the underlying causes of diseases, which can lead to treatments that only relieve symptoms.
For example, in cases of chronic headaches, Western medicine often prescribes pain relievers. These medications manage pain but do not address potential underlying causes like stress, dehydration, or hormonal imbalances. Consequently, the root problem may remain, potentially leading to recurrent headaches.
Unlike Western medicine, Eastern/Traditional medicine primarily focuses on the causes of diseases, which are analyzed based on traditional theories. However, these theories are often scientifically unexplainable. This is why it’s crucial to emphasize that Kampo medicine prescribed by physicians helps maintain its reliability.
Additionally, herbal medicines are made from natural ingredients and are considered to have fewer side effects when used appropriately. However, this does not mean herbal medicine is without side effects, but rather that the risks are comparatively lower than those associated with pharmaceutical drugs.
3. Patient demand
According to the Journal of the Korean Medical Association, the implementation of the “Self-Medication Tax System” started in 2017, combined with a growing trend towards health-conscious, has resulted in a doubling in patient demand for Kampo herbal medicines over the past decade in Japan. Consequently, more people are purchasing Kampo herbal medicines from pharmacies and online platforms, driven by a growing demand among young people seeking a wide range of benefits for conditions such as headaches and stress.
In concussion, Kampo herbal medicine practiced by Western-trained doctors promotes a holistic approach to healthcare, offering more comprehensive treatments and reducing reliance on pharmaceuticals with significant side effects. This integration validates herbal treatments and encourages global healthcare to incorporate herbs as complementary treatments. Kampo medicine aligns with patient demand as people become more health-minded. Due to societal changes and increasing demand, Kampo medicines are gaining popularity in Japan.
This post was originally published on kampo.care and has now been moved to kampo.us.
