Search heightens the importance of the ancient reports where Ganoderma was praised for its effect of increasing memory and preventing forgetfulness in old age reported in Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing vol 1 as early as 456-536 A.D. Research on mice using orally or topically administered Ganoderma provides evidence that Ganoderma lucidum has anti-inflammatory activity. This pharmacological activity may provide the basis for its activity on memory in although we do not know as yet that Ganoderma lucidum can enter the brain and exert anti-inflammatory activity

Most of the two dozen formulas are listed in the Shanghan Lun and/or the Jingui Yaolue, a few are from the Hejiju Fang, and only 3 are from other ancient texts. Pinyin transliteration of the Chinese name, rather than transliteration of the Japanese name is provided because these are the names usually used in the West.

Cultural contact between China and Japan has occurred since ancient times. There is a story that is frequently told in the Chinese tradition about the first Emperor (reign: 221-210 B.C.) who is said to have sent emissaries by ship on the Eastern Sea to find the herb of immortality; it is suggested that they returned from Japan with ganoderma (lingzhi; Japanese: reishi Mushroom) in completion of their mission.

Decline of Kampo Medicine

Western medicine was introduced to Japan by the Portuguese around 1590, a few decades after their first landing in Japan in 1543. Additional entry of Western medicine came via Spain during the early 1600s, but this influence of Portugal and Spain was limited to the coastal regions, such as Kyushu (one of the Japanese islands).

An ancient mushroom Ganoderma (Reishi) once heralded as an elixir of immortality by Chinese royalty is being tested as a possible cure for modern day diabetes. Sydney researchers are working to see whether the extra large Ganoderma (Reishi) medicinal fungi can reduce high blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol.

The anti-cancer agents in Ganoderma are the polysaccharides and Germanium. The polyshaccharide fraction of Ganoderma is largely responsible for its anti-tumor efficacy. Indications for Ganoderma use in cancer include supplementation a) to reduce side-effects during chemotherapy or radiotherapy, b) to prolonging survival and minimize metastasis, c) to improve quality of life, and d) to prevent occurrence or recurrence.

The Goseiha School (School of Later Developments in Medicine) evolved from a 12-year visit to China (1486-1498) by Sanki Tashiro (1465-1537). While in China, he encountered the powerful influences of what is known as Jin-Yuan medicine (making reference to two Dynasties of northern tribes, the Jin, which coexisted with the Southern Song Dynasty, and the Yuan, or Mongols, who took control of nearly all China). Jin-Yuan medicine was comprised of four major schools of thought about causes and treatment of disease.

Important People and Events Related to Kampo Medicine

Person Birth/Death; Chinese Dynasty Events and Importance to Kampo

The introduction of Kampo to America was also through the work of Dr. Hong-yen Hsu, who emigrated to the U.S. from Taiwan. He set up two organizations in 1975: Oriental Healing Arts Institute (OHAI), to publish translations of Chinese medicine books, and Brion Herbs Corporation, to distribute Kampo medicines and similarly prepared Chinese herb formulas produced by Sun Ten.

Other Common Names: Ling chih, Ling zhi, Mannentake, Ganoderma Lucidum. As recorded in the oldest Chinese medical text, reishi is the "king of herbs", the superior herb. Continuous intake will achieve the best results. Western culture has often frowned on mushrooms, even fearing the small innocuous forest growth. The French prize their truffles, but even truffles and other edible fungi and mushrooms are not as highly valued or show as much potential as a species of mushrooms called Ling Zhi or Reishi.

Kampo medicine is widely practiced in Japan, and is fully integrated into the modern health care system. Kampo is based on traditional Chinese medicine but adapted to Japanese culture. With only slight modifications, it has been adopted also in Taiwan and exported from Taiwan to the West. This article presents a concise history of Kampo that helps to elucidate the areas of primary concern to Japanese practitioners and reveals how a collection of certain traditional formulas came to dominate the system.