Museum of Materia Medica
Institute of Natural Medicine, Univeristy of Toyama
Museum of Materia Medica
Curator: Prof. Dr. Hiroyuki MORITA
Ethnic groups around the world have developed their own folk medicine. Known also as ethno-medicine, these medicines are based on experiences gained over centuries and are used not only to treat diseases, but also for perpetual youth and longevity. Such ethno-medicines, which can be considered part of one’s cultural heritage, have been used and passed down from generation to generation.
The exhibits in the museum focus on the world’s three major medical systems. In addition, traditional medicines from Tibet, Mongolia, Indonesia (Jamu), Thailand, and Arabic countries, as well as folk medicines in Japan, Taiwan, Korea, East Africa, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Brazil and Europe are exhibited here.
The collection was started in the early 1960’s and the number of items in the collection increases from between 500 to 1,000 accessions annually through academic investigations abroad.
The renovated Museum of Materia Medica reopened on June 15, 2010. The new wing consists of three exhibition rooms. Crude drugs used in traditional Japanese and Chinese medicine are exhibited in Gallery 1, crude drugs used in Aryuveda, Unani and others are exhibited in Gallery 2, and valuable herbal classics are displayed in Gallery 3.
First built in 1985, a huge number of crude drug samples occupied the ground floor.
Tradional Japanese and Chinese medicine are exhibited.
Gallery 2 for the exhibition of crude drugs used in Ayurveda, South Asia, Southeast Asia,etc.
First built in 1985, a huge number of crude drug samples occupied the ground floor.
Crude drug samples (29,000 samples indexed), herbal specimens (33,000 samples indexed), pharmaceutical preparations of Kampo formulations (200 samples), drugs-on-deposit production in Toyama, herbalogical books, and so on are kept on display in the old wing. Chinese crude drugs used in the system of traditional Chinese medicine comprise the greatest number of materials kept in the museum, (representing one third of the total number of museum items), followed by Indian crude drugs used in the Ayurvedic system of medicine.
With regard to the number of items on display and the wide geographical range which is covered, the Museum of Materia Medica is considered to be the largest museum of crude drugs in Japan and perhaps the world. Most of the items (including crude drugs) have significant educational, scientific and historical value.