Traditional Chinese Medicines and Prescriptions Brought from China to Japan by a Monk (Jianzhen, Japanese: Ganjin): A Historical Review

(1) Background: Japanese Kampo medicine has its origin in ancient Chinese medicine. In 742, a Tang Dynasty monk named Jianzhen (Ganjin) was invited by clerics to visit Japan and teach commandments Buddhism. Because of the dangers voyage also other obstacles, he took 11 years reach on sixth blind when arrived Japan. He first person China go establish Buddhism commandments, directly traditional Until now, there have been few reports English about details herbal medicines brought Japan, including types medicines, pharmacological activities, formulations. review, we systematically comprehensively summarized Jianzhen’s life from standpoint his medical pharmaceutical knowledge activities prescriptions that were Jianzhen; (2) Methods: A review made relevant literature written Chinese, Japanese, languages regarding Jianzhen, 36 therapeutic effects these as well their formulations; (3) Results: The proved served basis for current (Kampo) process search, found book entitled Jianshangren (Holy Priest Jianzhen)’s Secret Prescription, which recorded complete prescription Japan; (4) Conclusions: is one ancestors medicine/Kampo medicine, books patients. important contributions development