漢 方 薬(かんぽうやく)

かんぽうやく

noun

Chinese herbal medicine; kampo medicine

medical

1. Chinese herbal medicine; kampo medicine

Traditional medicine based on Chinese medical theory, using natural ingredients such as herbs, roots, and minerals. In Japan, kampo is integrated into the modern healthcare system and prescribed by regular doctors alongside Western medicine.

風邪(かぜ)に漢方薬(かんぽうやく)を飲(の)んだ。

I took herbal medicine for my cold.

漢方薬(かんぽうやく)は体質(たいしつ)に合(あ)わせて処方(しょほう)される。

Kampo medicine is prescribed according to one's body constitution.

西洋(せいよう)の薬(くすり)が合(あ)わなかったので、医者(いしゃ)に勧(すす)められて漢方薬(かんぽうやく)を試(ため)してみることにした。

Since Western medicine didn't agree with me, my doctor recommended I try kampo.

Cultural note

Unlike in many Western countries, 漢方薬(かんぽうやく) is part of mainstream medicine in Japan. Regular doctors can prescribe kampo, and many formulations are covered by national health insurance. Common prescriptions include 葛根湯(かっこんとう) (for colds) and 芍薬甘草湯(しゃくやくかんぞうとう) (for muscle cramps).

Common collocations

漢方薬(かんぽうやく)を飲(の)む (to take herbal medicine)
漢方薬(かんぽうやく)を処方(しょほう)する (to prescribe kampo)
漢方薬局(かんぽうやっきょく) (kampo pharmacy)
漢方(かんぽう)医学(いがく) (kampo medicine — the discipline)

Similar words

西洋薬(せいようやく): Western medicine — conventional pharmaceuticals
生薬(しょうやく): crude drug — the individual natural ingredients used in kampo

Related Words

Related: 生薬(しょうやく) (crude drug ingredient)

Compare: 西洋薬(せいようやく) (Western medicine)

general

Added 2026.3.18 11:08 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

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