ABSTRACT
Amma was originally introduced from China and the Taiho Law of 701 mentions amma experts. Various cold cures have been used by the people since very early days. Some of them may be primitive and crude, but they have been found quite effective as proved by their continued use for many generations. Herbs and other home medicines used by the Japanese for curing sickness and improving health are numerous. The original dokukeshi, a yellowish pill, is said to have been first made by a Buddhist temple. Hari-ryoji is a popular treatment that is applied to cure all sorts of mental and physical disorders. Home cures, effective or otherwise, differ according to districts. Most of the furidashi now being sold are said to be good for improving blood circulation, regulating urination, and keeping the body warm. Gama-no-abura, or gama-oil, is still popular among rural people as a medicine to cure skin diseases, cuts, burns and many other things.
