Iron deficiency anemia is the most frequently experienced anemia in common daily practice. It is often difficult to treat due to gastrointestinal side effects of iron drugs. We report a difficult case of iron-deficiency anemia with intolerance to oral iron supplementation, which was resolved by concomitant use of Kampo. Thirty-five-year-old woman visited us because of menoxenia continuing since she was 17 years old. Although tokishakuyakusan with kakobushimatsu (processed aconite root powder) had been administered, remarkable anemia such a low hemoglobin (Hb) level (7.8 g/dL) was observed. After we added an oral iron agent for 5 months, the hemoglobin level increased to 12.8 g/dL, and epigastric discomfort appeared. Therefore, we discontinued iron agent and switched to Kampo monotherapy, but anemia gradually worsened again. Following intravenous iron infusions could not improve the iron deficiency state. Then we administered ryokeijutsukanto with kojinmatsu (ginseng powder) and lower dose of oral iron agent than before, with reference to sinshato described in “Sokeitei Ijishogen” written by Nan'yo Hara. After administration, Hb and serum ferritin level improved from 11.6 g/dL and 4.0 ng/mL to 12.3 g/dL and 32.0 ng/mL, respectively. After that, the iron metabolism marker kept stable, although the oral iron agent had been further reduced. The main indications of sinshato are palpitation, shortness of breath, dizziness and edema according to the original text. These symptoms can be interpreted as ones related to anemia. In our case, it was suggested that prescription composition of sinshato promoted iron absorption and improved anemia.

Case 1 was a 28-year-old female who had epigastric discomfort and epigastralgia for three months. These symptoms were accompanied with dizziness, faintness and hot flush. Right after taking ryokeijutsukanto, her dizziness, faintness and chillness of foot disappeared with improvement of gastrointestinal symptoms after two weeks. Case 2 was a 40-year-old female who presented prolonged nausea and epigastralgia for eight months. She also complained of dizziness and strong globus sensation when taking meals. After taking ryokeijutsukanto, her appetite improved in a week and gastrointestinal symptoms improved in 3 weeks. Case 3 was a 15-year-old female whose complaints were nausea, epigastric discomfort, palpitation, dizziness and globus sensation consequent to swaying feeling after riding a roller coaster. These symptoms including nausea improved after taking ryokeijutsukanto with 3g of magnolia bark for a week. Case 4 was a 28-year-old male who presented severe appetite loss and epigastric discomfort when he got tired. He also complained of faintness. His faintness disappeared after taking ryokeijutsukanto for 2 weeks. His appetite also improved after four weeks. Clinical courses of these cases suggest that ryokeijutsukanto may be useful for the treatment of upper gastrointestinal symptoms including functional dyspepsia, i.e. fluid retention with qi-counterflow.

At the 71st Annual Meeting of the Japan Society for Oriental Medicine held in August 2021, we conducted a special program, “Pre-graduation and post-graduation Kampo medical education for the next generation,” focusing on Kampo medical education. We summarize and report a mock lecture on standard Kampo medicine conducted jointly with the Japan Council for Kampo Medical Education (JCKME) for the purpose of faculty development. The lecture contents were based on the “Basic Curriculum for Pre-Graduate Education in Kampo Medicine 2016” established by the JCKME, and the common model slides prepared by the JCKME were used. The lectures were pre-recorded for 240 minutes on the “History of Kampo medicine,” “basic theory of Kampo medicine,” “physical examination of Kampo medicine,” “composition and effects of typical Kampo medicines, effects and side effects of typical herbal medicines,” “usefulness of Kampo and clinical cases that were effective,” and “overview of acupuncture and moxibustion treatment,” and were delivered from seven days before to seven days after the annual meeting. This was the first nationwide educational activity for the general meeting of the society. These lectures were viewed 1,017 times nationwide, by medical students, educators, and members of the society.