Annual meeting of the Japan Traditional Chinese Medicine Association: Quantifying and objectifying traditional Chinese medicine

Five researchers reported on their studies to quantify and objectify traditional medicine at the symposium “Verification of Traditional Chinese Medicine” during the 2016 annual meeting of the Japan Traditional Chinese Medicine Association. Takao Namiki reported on a methodology to quantify tongue diagnosis. Tetsuhiro Yoshino presented work on predictive prescribing two Kampo formulas for dysmenorrhea, Tangkuei and Peony Powder (Danggui Shaoyao San) and Cinnamon Twig and Poria Pill (Guizhi Fuling Wan). Koh Iwasaki presented work on validation of a questionnaire for assessing qi stagnation and Mitsuyuki Takamura reported on application of the questionnaire to evaluate the efficacy of Pinellia and Magnolia Bark Decoction (Banxia Houpo Tang). Kaoru Sakatani presented research on near-infrared spectroscopy as a diagnostic tool for wei bing, a concept of pre-symptomatic state in traditional Chinese medicine.