At the intersection of traditional Kampo and modern medicine, a Japanese scientist is building bridges with precise data.
Shibahara's work bridges ancient Kampo wisdom with modern scientific validation
At the Department of Japanese-Chinese Medicine at Toyama University Hospital, patients receive unique medical care that blends ancient wisdom with modern science. Here, physicians use traditional diagnostic methods like pulse diagnosis, tongue diagnosis, and abdominal diagnosis, while also arranging blood tests and imaging examinations as needed5 .
This integration of traditional Kampo and modern medicine epitomizes Professor Naotoshi Shibahara's work. As a professor at Toyama University's Institute of Natural Medicine, he has devoted decades to a singular mission: validating the efficacy of Kampo medicine through scientific methods, gaining modern scientific recognition for traditional symptom-pattern treatment approaches1 .
Traditional Kampo medicine faces a fundamental dilemma: how to transform the individualized diagnostic and treatment experience of "pattern-based treatment" into quantifiable, verifiable scientific data?
Shibahara believes that the true value of Kampo medicine lies in its holistic approach and individualized treatment, but this is also the main difficulty in its scientific validation1 .
His research team addresses this challenge from three directions: objective research on Kampo medical conditions and clinical symptoms, research on the improvement effects of Kampo pattern-based treatment for various diseases, and comparative studies between Chinese medicine and Kampo medicine diagnosis1 .
At the Department of Japanese-Chinese Medicine at Toyama University Hospital, Shibahara and colleagues not only use medical Kampo extracts but also provide decocted herbal treatments with fine-tuned adjustments of crude drug units according to individual patient conditions, achieving more precise individualized treatment5 .
Shibahara has chosen a difficult but necessary path: revealing the mechanisms of Kampo formulas through in-depth study of specific prescriptions.
In his 2015 lecture at Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, he detailed basic and clinical research on "Keishibukuryogan"3 .
These findings break through the limitations of traditional formulas having single indications, offering new therapeutic approaches for complex modern diseases.
Originating from Zhang Zhongjing's "Jingui Yaolue," Keishibukuryogan is a traditional formula for treating gynecological diseases. But Professor Shibahara's research has uncovered its broader application potential.
His studies indicate that Keishibukuryogan shows positive effects in treating diabetic nephropathy, anti-atherosclerosis, anti-peroxidation, and improving blood conditions3 .
Shibahara's research on the objectification of Kampo diagnosis is particularly noteworthy. As early as 1996, he published an innovative study in the Journal of the Autonomic Nervous System.
He investigated the responses of skin blood flow, mean arterial pressure, and R-R intervals to cold wind and ice water cold stimulation1 .
The significance of this research lies in its attempt to use quantifiable physiological indicators to interpret Kampo medicine "patterns", providing scientific basis for traditional diagnosis.
Measuring physiological reactions to cold stimuli
In another 2002 study, Shibahara conducted a longitudinal study on the correlation between "oketsu" (blood stasis) syndrome and autonomic nerve activity1 .
"Oketsu" is an important concept in Kampo medicine, generally understood as a pathological state of poor blood circulation. Through observations of the same subjects at different times, he discovered some quantifiable associations, laying the foundation for objectifying this traditional concept.
In 2020, Shibahara participated in a significant research project—"Formalization of Kampo Diagnostic Logic"—aimed at the formalization and standardization of Kampo diagnosis4 .
This study brought together six facilities specializing in Kampo medical practice to address five key challenges in standardizing Kampo diagnosis.
| Challenge | Solution |
|---|---|
| Too many Kampo formulas to study | Selected 33 Kampo formulas as standardization targets |
| Inter-facility differences in Kampo formula content | Standardized constituent crude drug ranges for each Kampo formula |
| Differences in symptom collection methods | Established Kampo medical symptom items and their evaluation criteria |
| Inter-facility differences in efficacy evaluation | Determined unified criteria for efficacy judgment |
| Inter-individual differences in safety evaluation | Established unified safety assessment system |
This research reached consensus conclusions across all participating institutions through multiple consensus meetings, providing a standardized framework for Kampo research4 .
Shibahara's research methodology embodies the perfect integration of traditional Kampo and modern technology. His "scientist's toolkit" contains a range of sophisticated research tools and methods.
| Research Method/Tool | Function & Application |
|---|---|
| Autonomic nerve activity measurement | Objectively assessing correlation between "patterns" and autonomic nervous system |
| Crude drug pharmacokinetic studies | Tracking absorption, distribution, metabolism of active components in crude drugs |
| Quality engineering methods | Applying engineering approaches to analyze disease manifestations in Kampo medicine |
| Molecular biology techniques | Elucidating molecular mechanisms of Kampo formula actions |
| Randomized controlled double-blind trials | High-level evidence validation of clinical efficacy |
These diverse research approaches enable Shibahara to explore the scientific essence of Kampo medicine from different levels—from macroscopic clinical symptoms to microscopic molecular mechanisms.
Mechanism of action studies
Efficacy validation trials
Holistic approach integration
Shibahara's vision extends beyond Japan's borders. He has frequently participated in international academic exchanges, actively promoting worldwide dialogue on Kampo medicine.
He visited a hospital in Guangxi, China, touring intelligent pharmacies and CyberKnife treatment centers, paying special attention to the remarkable effectiveness of the "CyberKnife + Chemotherapy + Chinese Medicine" comprehensive therapy in cancer treatment.
He was invited to deliver a keynote speech at the Second Nishan World Forum on Chinese Medicine, discussing "Multicultural Civilization and Innovation in Chinese Medicine" with experts and scholars from around the world2 .
These international exchange activities not only share his research findings but also promote the global integration of Kampo medicine and modern medicine.
It's worth noting that Shibahara has also collaborated with scholars such as Professor Min Li from Hong Kong Baptist University to explore the potential of Kampo medicine in treating neurodegenerative diseases3 .
This interdisciplinary, cross-regional cooperation opens new horizons for Kampo medicine research.
As modern medical models expand from单纯的 disease treatment to comprehensive prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation, the holistic view and individualized treatment concepts of Kampo medicine are demonstrating unique value.
Shibahara's research direction suggests several important future development trends for Kampo medicine:
The Toyama University Institute of Natural Medicine has become an important base for this integration, attracting researchers and clinicians from around the world.
| Kampo Formula | Traditional Application | New Discoveries from Modern Research |
|---|---|---|
| Keishibukuryogan | Gynecological diseases, blood circulation disorders | Diabetic nephropathy, anti-atherosclerosis, antioxidant3 |
| Shakuyakukanzoto | Muscle spasms, pain | Analgesic, anti-inflammatory effects1 |
| Goshuyuto | Headache, vomiting | Autonomic nerve regulatory function |
| Saireito | Edema, inflammation | Immunomodulatory effects |
Today, the Toyama University Institute of Natural Medicine has become a world-class center for Kampo medicine research. Professor Naotoshi Shibahara's work has built a bridge between traditional Kampo and modern medicine.
Looking to the future, Shibahara remains committed to his original intention: demonstrating the effectiveness of Kampo pattern-based treatment through clinical and basic research1 .
As modern medicine places increasing emphasis on individualized treatment and preventive medicine, Shibahara and his team are paving a broader future for Kampo medicine—one rooted in traditional wisdom but blossoming in the garden of science.