A Valid Approach in Refractory Glossodynia: A Single-Institution 5-Year Experience Treating with Japanese Traditional Herbal (Kampo) Medicine

Abstract

Glossodynia is often refractory to conventional medicine, and there is only limited evidence to guide clinicians in its management. Patients with refractory glossodynia are often introduced to Japanese traditional herbal (Kampo) medicine experts under such circumstances because Kampo medicine has become known in Japan to be effective in treating a wide variety of symptoms refractory to conventional medicine. Herein, we report our single-institution 5-year experience treating patients with Kampo medicine for primary glossodynia that was refractory to conventional medicine. We found that 69.2% of patients reported a beneficial effect of Kampo medicine on glossodynia, and the average onset of improvement was 8.0 ± 7.7 weeks after starting Kampo treatment. The top two frequently used Kampo medicines for glossodynia were seinetsuhokito and mibakuekkito among high responders who showed a decrease of severity by 50% or more. The top four most overlapped herbs among effective Kampo medicines for glossodynia were Glycyrrhiza Root, Ginseng Root, Hoelen, and Atractylodes (lancea) Rhizome, which compose an essential Kampo prescription called shikunshito. Although more research is required to further clarify the effectiveness of Kampo medicine, it has valid efficacy even in cases of glossodynia that remain incurable by conventional treatments.

Yokukan-san: a review of the evidence for use of this Kampo herbal formula in dementia and psychiatric conditions

“…It was introduced to Japan in the middle of the sixth century and has evolved over the past 1,400 years 21,22. While it retains some similarities to TCM, Kampo has evolved independently in Japan, resulting in a system of medicine that has many differences from TCM 22–24. After its introduction from China, Kampo was combined with Japan’s original folk remedies and was modified by the introduction of formulas and herbs that had not been used in TCM 25.…”

“…After its introduction from China, Kampo was combined with Japan’s original folk remedies and was modified by the introduction of formulas and herbs that had not been used in TCM 25. Kampo medicine was the main medical treatment in Japan until Western medicine was introduced from Europe several hundred years ago 21–24…”

“…Although some Kampo herbal formulas are based on classical TCM formulas, the Kampo formulas have been standardized in Japan and use fixed combinations of herbs 21,22,24. Kampo herbal formulas are regulated in the same manner as pharmaceutical preparations, and are approved and manufactured with standards that are equivalent to those of conventional pharmaceutical medicines.…”

“…The result of this emphasis on standardization is that while a single Kampo herbal formula might be produced by various different manufacturers, it will be subject to the same quality control standards. This high degree of quality and standardization does not necessarily apply if the formula is made outside of Japan 21,22,24…”

Treatment of Dementia-related Symptoms with Japanese Traditional Medicine (Kampo): A Review of Clinical Studies

“…In addition, the composition and amount of each herb are fixed in each granule-type Kampo formula (Tables 1-3). Quality control procedures for the herbs used in Kampo have been also established, and the safety and reliability of Kampo have been validated through the strict monitoring of side effects under the control of the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, in the same way as modern conventional medicines are validated [1][2][3][4]. Therefore, as far as medical doctors use these granule-type formulas, they can share exactly the same quality and effectiveness which are confirmed by modern scientific methods.…”