Domestic Production of Kampo Herbal Medicines in Medicinal Plant Gardens during the Edo Period ―Efficient Cultivation and the Future Potential of Medicinal Plants in Japan―

Abstract

Kampo (traditional Japanese) herbal medicines originated from ancient Chinese medicines, are almost all based on plants. During the Edo period in particular, many medicinal plant gardens were created in Japan and the domestic Kampo herbal medicines from these gardens were used for human health care. However, domestic production has decreased recently in Japan due to an inflated economy. Therefore, we studied the economic production techniques used for growing some medicinal plants. We identified some suitable cultivation techniques, such as the systematic and efficient seedling production of Japanese Angelica (Angelica acutiloba, “Toki”) and ginseng (Panax ginseng), that could be used to domesticate these plants in Japan. A combination of genetic analysis (based on combined cpDNA and ITS sequences) and conventional methods can be used to practically and accurately authenticate Angelica species. Our method will be useful during raw material production processes and for quality control of “Toki” produced for use in Kampo herbal medicines. Further studies are required to identify an efficient cultivation system for ginseng; however, our results showed that the period of cultivation could be shortened if environmental controls were introduced. In this review, we describe efficient production methods and environmental controls for Japanese Angelica root and ginseng, which are the natural resources for Kampo herbal medicines. Our research suggests that the domestic production of Kampo herbal medicines from cultivation to utilization will be significant in the future and will form an important part of a healthy lifestyle.