Herbal KnowledgeMay 2, 2025
In honor of AAPI month, we’re highlighting the rich history of Kampo, or Japanese herbalism.
Various forms of Asian herbalism have existed for thousands of years. In China, the first recorded use of traditional Chinese herbalism was during the Han Dynasty (206 B.C. - 220 A.D.).1 In Japan, a lesser-known holistic tradition is called Kampo herbalism. Kampo is a Japanese medical system using herbs that are combined into customized preparations for each individual based on their health needs.1
Translated as the “Han Method,” Kampo is thought to have taken shape in Japan around the 5th century with the introduction of traditional Chinese herbalism.2,4 If you’re familiar with traditional Chinese herbalism, it’s likely because of acupuncture! Traditional Chinese herbalism has had profound influence on many Asian herbal traditions and shares a framework with many traditional East Asian, mainly Taoist, philosophies.
Kampo incorporates the traditional Chinese herbalism principles of Yin Yang (called InYo in Japan) and the Five Element (Earth, Fire, Water, Wood, and Metal) theories, with similar methods of acupuncture, moxibustion, massage, and pulse and tongue analysis, while also using formulas of herbal, animal, or mineral origin.2
Japanese practitioners studied the first recorded Chinese pharmacopoeia, known as the Shen Nong Ben Cao, or “The Pharmacopoeia of Heavenly Husbandry”.1,2 Kampo additions to this materia medica define three classifications of herbal preparations, with the addition of Japanese names. Upper-class preparations, or Joyaku, denote the most vital and safest 120 formulas.1 These are meant to nourish and promote vitality.1 While it doesn’t fully translate directly, this seems to be similar to the nutritive and tonic herbal categories in traditional western herbalism (for example, herbs like Dandelion, Turmeric, or Stinging Nettle). These herbs can provide vitamins and minerals (through eating and no-to-low heat water-soluble extractions) and support overall wellness, and are intended to be taken long-term.*
Middle-class preparations, or Chuyaku, consist of 120 different formulas to support energy and maintain health, but these formulas may have contraindications.1 These seem comparable to the system builders and adaptogenic herbal actions in traditional Western herbalism. Herbs we use in western herbalism like Maca (for reproductive support), Astragalus (for immune support), and Eleuthero (for foundational energy) can gently support different body systems.*
Lower-class preparations, or Shimoyaku, which comprises 125 formulas that are to be used in times of immediate need and should be more cautiously taken on a short-term basis.1 The ingredients in these formulations synergistically work together to help the body return to homeostasis.1 In traditional Western herbalism terms, this is similar to herbs like Black Walnut, Rhubarb, or Kava, which have stronger actions on the body and should only be used as needed, being mindful of any cautions.*
While similar, there are a few main differences between Kampo and traditional Chinese herbalism. One is the Japanese addition of Fukushin, which assesses the abdomen (hara) by palpating it to check for imbalances.2 Fukushin principles correlate sections of the gut to each of the five elements.2 Each element in turn links to a major organ. Kampo also incorporates herbs native to Japan in updated versions of historical Chinese formulations.
Kampo theorizes that health can falter from dissonance in the bodily flow.1 Practitioners encourage a holistic lifestyle that focuses on balance, using simple practices like hot baths, to keep senses in-line and operating efficiently.1 Only when balance can't be achieved by engaging in these simple practices does Kampo resort to using herbal formulas.2 Like naturopathy, the emphasis is on the root cause of disharmony and in strengthening organs to avoid health challenges.
During the Meiji era (1868-1912), Kampo fell out of favor as Western allopathic medicine (mainly based upon contemporary German medicine) took over as the primary system of medicine.2,3,4 Contributions to an herbal renaissance include specific reference books released in the early 1900s, and the formation of industry organizations and Kampo practitioner associations around the early 1930s. In the late 1950s, the introduction of a granule form made from high-quality herbs bridged a gap.2 Kampo had been revived and recognized by the country by 1955.
Today, many Kampo formulas are approved by the Japanese government, have been integrated into the western healthcare system, and are covered under their national insurance.1,2 This makes traditional herbalism more integrated and accessible to all Japanese people at affordable costs.
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