A quick way to grasp the ABC's of Kampo --- easy-to-understand answers to the most common questions and more. What are the basic principles of Kampo medicine? Kampo is based on East Asian natural philosophical principles, which regard the mind and body in an organic manner and consider illnesses as imbalances in the body's inherent "harmony." Kampo herbal formulations, which reflect a vast body of clinical experience accumulated over many centuries, are intended to boost the body's own healing power and help restore its natural balance.   What are the differences between Kampo and TCM? Although Chinese models were the original basis for Kampo, from the 15th century on, Kampo pursued its own path of development, free of influences from China. Based on their own clinical experience, Japanese Kampo practitioners developed a distinctive approach to diagnosis, and they emphasized certain formulations while discarding others. As a result, while many Kampo and traditional Chinese medicine formulas appear to be the same, the nature and quantity of constituent herbs often differ. Another distinguishing characteristic of Kampo practice in Japan today is that it is well integrated with Western-style medicine practice and is often prescribed in combination with Western-style drugs.   How do Kampo formulations differ from Western herbal medicines? While Western herbal preparations are typically composed of a single herb, or occasionally two herbs, Kampo formulations are generally combinations of as many as four or more herbs. Another basic difference is that Kampo formulations are prepared by decocting together the constituent herbs in prescribed proportions.