ABSTRACT
Introduction Kampo medicines (oriental medicines), developed as a result of a long history of use, have been used in various forms such as decoction, pills, powder and liquor extract to fit the need. In the recent years, the majority has been used as a decoction (in which the chopped raw herbs are placed in an infusing pot and decocted by boiling to about one-half the volume), with a few others being used as a powder or pill formulation. The selection of raw herbs, method of decoction and method of ingestion, while based on the medical texts, are often left up to the raw herb practitioner, physician, pharmacist or the patient, so that it is often difficult to preserve and maintain the quality of the Kampo decoction for the entire duration of the use by the patient.
