In Kampo therapy for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), Keishi-ka-ryojutsubu-to, Keishini-eppi-itto and Keishi-shakuyaku-chimo-to are considered to be the primary formulas. However, it is often difficult to control arthritis with the primary formula alone. In this study, we administered 7.5g/day of Ji-daboku-ippo to 12 patients with RA, who had not responded sufficiently to the primary formula alone. Administration of the primary formula and other anti-rheumatoid drugs was also continued.
After three months of this supplemental administration of Ji-daboku-ippo, the mean±SE of the Lansbury's index significantly decreased from 45.3±5.8% to 33.3±3.8% (p<0. 01). After treatment for one year, a decrement in the Lensbury's index (of more than 20%) was seen in the four patients. These results suggest that supplemental administration of Ji-daboku-ippo is effective for patients who fail to respond sufficiently to the primary Kampo formulas used for RA.

We have previously reported that Bukuryo-shigyaku-to (BSG) has the effect of improving the asthmatic state of steroid dependent patients. Nevertheless, the standard indication for this drug in Kampo medicine was not established in these patients. In this paper, we report three such patients who improved by its administration. A 66 y. o. male diagnosed as having as asthma with pulmonary emphysema was treated daily with 30mg of oral prednisolone. A 45 y. o. female diagnosed as having asthma with autonomic disorder was treated daily with 7.5-15mg of oral prednisolone. A 61 y. o. female diagnosed as suffering from asthma with diabetes mellitus was treated daily with 10mg of oral prednisolone. The reason for the use of BSG was that their asthmatic state remained unchanged by other Kampo drugs which were indicated by the usual Kampo diagnosis, and in the second and third cases the duration until feeling heat from the applied electrical warm acupuncture apparatus was overly long. Weakness of radial pulse and cold in the extremities, the usual indications for the use of BSG by Kampo diagnosis, were absent in these three cases, but nevertheless its administration improved their asthmatic states. This apparent contradiction with Kampo diagnosis might be related to the effect of the steroid drugs used.