[Therapy by Japanese Oriental medicine (kampo) in irritable bowel syndrome]

Guideline for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome by Japanese Oriental Medicine (Kampo) is summarized. It is very important to notice that Kampo prescription will show its best efficacy if it is adjusted for the conditions of a patient. To diagnose ill conditions for the patient is called the process of "Sho" clarification. Sho is the ultimate diagnosis, which is the term given to summarization of diagnostic process for a patient. Conceptual criteria used for making up Sho are "Yin/Yang", "Kyo/Jitsu", and "Hot/Cold". A Kampo formula has its own position regarding these concepts. We interpret about these concepts and formulae. Another important method for making Sho diagnosis is abdominal diagnosis, which is relatively easy to learn. Certain signs in abdominal diagnosis correspond to certain formula. We explain some methods in abdominal diagnosis and the related formulae. We also comment on construction process and features of Kampo prescription.