Only Kampo medicine can cure these symptoms in the field of obstetrics and gynecology “1st international symposium on Kampo medicine”

To the Editor There are many cases that only Kampo medicine can cure in the fields of obstetrics and gynecology. In the case of Kampo medicine, a prescription is chosen according to the psychological status and character of the patient. If an appropriate Kampo medicine is prescribed, it provides good psychological stability without reducing the activity level. These facts have been elucidated by the relation between the Kampo medical diagnosis and psychological test results. Heart failure carries a high risk in the field of obstetrics even if they were mild degree. The symptoms are signs of heart failure such as difficult breathing and a serious edema. Mokuboito has a remarkable effect on patients suffering from heart failure and pre-menstrual syndrome with asthma. Gestational edema and amniotic fluid decrease are the results of a maldistribution of water in the body. Kampo medicine optimizes the amount of body water, and also reallocates the water appropriately. Thus, Kampo medicine keeps the amniotic fluid volume at an appropriate level and improves the prognosis of the pregnancy. Regular diuretics influence the active transport of electrolytes across the cell membrane. Kampo medicine controls the number of floodgates (such as aquaporin) in the cell membrane. Thus, no electrolyte disorders occur. The mechanism by which Kampo medicine activates the water metabolism can be explained by the action of aquaporin. The first presentation is “The Relation between the Psychological Test and the Kampo Medical Diagnosis.” Brain changes as a result of stress can affect the autonomic, endocrine, and immune systems as well as have a significant impact on mental function and state of mind. Therefore, Kampo medicine diagnoses and treats stress conditions based on the concept of the unity of mind and body. The empirical expectation that it can improve mental symptoms concomitantly with physical symptoms is a characteristic of Kampo medicine. This presentation will focus on our study to clarify the psychological aspects of Kampo medical diagnoses using several questionnaires and the 16PF personality test in patients who had been successfully treated with three kinds of Kampo medicines (i.e., kamishoyosan, saikokaryukotuboreito and yokukansankachinpihange). In Kampo medical diagnosis, it is very important to collect as much information as possible about the physical aspects, such as physical complaints, pulse, tongue, and abdominal findings. However, our study using psychological tests suggests that in Kampo treatment of stress-related diseases, focusing on psychological rather than physical aspects may lead to more accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment. It was also suggested that when capturing the psychological aspects of Kampo medical diagnosis, it is important to consider not only mental states such as anxiety and depression, but also personality traits. The second presentation is “Efficacy of Mokuboito in the Fields of Obstetrics and Gynecology.” Mokuboito is Kampo medicine listed in Kinkiyoryaku, it is effective fo respiratory distress with edema. Respiratory distress and edema is symptom of cardiac failure even if they were mild degree. These must manage carefully not to worsen the prognosis. Mokuboito was used to 16 pregnant women with respiratory distress and edema at our clinic. They were 23 to 37 years old and 27 to 39 weeks pregnant. The effects were evaluated in 7 to 14 days. They were 4 patients achieved complete responce, 8 achieved partial responce and 4 ineffective cases. For these symptoms mokuboito is effective. In pregnant women with edema complaining of respiratory problems, mokuboito should be used aggressively. The main cause of pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS) is water retention. So, tokishakuyakusan and similar formulas are useful for PMS. Mokuboito in particular has a remarkable effect on the PMS patient with asthma. The third presentation is “The Efficacy of Goreisan for a Gestational Edema and Amniotic Fluid Decrease.” Goreisan is effective in the treatment of gestational edema. During edematous treatment, goreisan exhibits a diuretic effect. After improvement of the edema, goreisan does not exhibit an effect of compulsory diuresis. These effects were ascertained by examining the changes in the expectant mother’s weight. Goreisan is not a simple Received: 18 May 2022 Revised: 28 June 2022 Accepted: 6 July 2022