Kampo (Traditional Japanese Medicine)

Kampo (also spelled “Kanpo”) is a traditional Japanese medicine based on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). The name is derived from two Chinese words, kan (Han), meaning “from China,” and po, meaning “the way.” Hence, Kampo means “the Han method” (referring to the Han Dynasty, when TCM was developed) or, roughly, “the Chinese way.” The underlying philosophy of Kampo is that a person’s health and well-being are interconnected with his or her physical and mental state. Treatments and therapies are focused on restoring equilibrium to the human body and the mind, which is viewed as critical for good health. The focus of Kampo theories and practice of medicine is to provide clinical treatments and therapies that are holistic and pragmatic.