Medicine Day

What Is Medicine Day?

Every year on May 5th is "Medicine Day" in Japan. It was established in 1987 by the National Federation of Pharmaceutical Retail Cooperatives. The date comes from the "Nihon Shoki" (Chronicles of Japan), which records that on May 5, 611 (the 19th year of Empress Suiko's reign), Empress Suiko held a "kusurigari" (medicine hunt) in Udano in Yamato Province (around present-day Uda City, Nara Prefecture), gathering medicinal herbs, deer antlers, and other materials. The medicine hunt is said to have become an annual event afterward, and this day came to be called "Kusuribi" (Medicine Day). It's a day to think about the proper use of medicine and the importance of good health.

The History of Medicine Hunts and Traditional Medicine

The history of medicine in Japan began with the wisdom of ancient people who put nature's blessings to use in daily life.

• The medicine hunt as a court event: The kusurigari was an event in which members of the imperial court went out into the fields. According to tradition, the men gathered young deer antlers, prized as medicine, while the women gathered medicinal herbs. Dried young deer antler is called "rokujo" (lurong) and is still known today as a crude drug.
• Tango no Sekku and medicinal herbs: May 5th is also "Tango no Sekku." Customs such as hanging fragrant iris (shobu) and mugwort under the eaves or taking an iris bath are said to be based on the idea of using the power of medicinal plants to ward off evil and illness.

Fun Facts About Medicine Day

Knowing the background of this day may change how you see the medicines around you.

• The founding organization has since dissolved: The National Federation of Pharmaceutical Retail Cooperatives, which established Medicine Day, dissolved in 2014. The day's name and origin are still introduced in many places today.
• "Medicine and Health Week" in autumn: Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare and others designate October 17-23 each year as "Medicine and Health Week," promoting the proper use of medicine and the role of pharmacists.

Interesting Facts About Medicine

• The kanji for "medicine": The character for medicine (薬) was traditionally written 藥, combining the "grass" radical with 樂. Its shape hints at a time when plants were the heart of medicine.
• The placebo effect: Even a pill with no active ingredient can make people feel their symptoms have eased if they believe it will work. Clinical trials of new drugs compare them with placebos to rule out this effect.
• Ancient medical records: Some clay tablets left by the Sumerians of ancient Mesopotamia record how to prepare medicines, and are considered among the oldest records of medicine in the world.
• "Food and medicine share the same source": This is the idea that everyday meals also build our bodies. Many spices and herbs were once used as medicines.
• The importance of proper dosage: As the saying "poison and medicine are two sides of the same coin" suggests, a substance that works as medicine in the right amount can harm the body if the dose is wrong. Following the instructions and the advice of doctors and pharmacists is important.

Tips for Spending Medicine Day

• Check your household medicine supply. Are any medicines past their expiration date? Are they stored properly? Use the holidays to make sure you're ready when you need them.
• Get your daily rhythm back on track. Aim for good sleep and a balanced diet, and relax your body with seasonal customs like an iris bath.
• Review your medication notebook (okusuri techo). A record of the medicines you've taken is helpful when consulting a clinic or pharmacy. You might also consider switching to a notebook app.
• Find ways to rest your mind. Music, reading, a chat with someone -- make time for whatever helps you feel calm.

Nature's Wisdom and the History of Medicine Connect to Our Healthy Lives Today

May 5th is a day to reflect on the wish to "stay healthy," shared even by people in ancient times. Medicine is a reliable ally when we fall ill, but it works best when used correctly. If you're feeling a little tired in your new routine, it may be your body's way of asking for rest. Just as people long ago used the fragrance of medicinal herbs to ward off evil, take today to care for yourself and restore the balance of body and mind.