Objectives This study was performed to find out the correlation between the use of herbal extracts and the Sasang constitution of patients in Japan.
Methods We recruited 315 subjects who had been visiting the Center for Kampo Medicine for the treatment, Keio University in Tokyo, Japan. They answered SSCQ-P(Sasang Constitution Questionaire for Patients) questionnaire, a sasang constitution specialist interviewed them and diagnosed the sasang constitution. And the 80 herbal extracts subject's having taken were classified into four type Sasang constitutional herbal formulas according to 『Donguisusebowon』, the ingredients in a formula that have different role(sovereign, minister, assistant and courie) and effect and indication of formula.
Results 1. Among the total 315 subjects, the number of Taeyangin, Soyangin, Taeeumin, and Soeumin was 3(1.0%), 85(27.0%), 90(28.6%), and 137(43.5%).
2. Among the 80 herbal extracts subject's having taken, the number of each Soyangin, Taeeumin, and Soeumin herbal formulas was 30, 7 and 43.
3. 1 Soyangin and 2 Soeumin herbal formulas were prescribed in 3 Taeyangin subjects group. 29 Soyangin, 4 Taeeumin, 52 Soeumin herbal formulas were prescribed in 85 Soyangin subjects group. 39 Soyangin, 6 Taeeumin, 45 Soeumin herbal formulas were prescribed in 90 Taeeumin subjects group. 51 Soyangin, 6 Taeeumin, 80 Soeumin herbal formulas were prescribed in 137 Soeumin subjects group.
Conclusions The Soeumin rate in Japan was significantly higher than that in Korea. There was no significant correlation between the use of herbal extracts and the Sasang constitution in Japan.