Jintan (Japanese medicine)


Jintan is the patented name of a popular Japanese medicine/candy developed by Morishita Hiroshi and sold from the early twentieth century to today. Originally marketed as a cure-all for a number of ailments, Jintan is today thought of as a breath freshener only.

History

Morishita Hiroshi was the eldest son of a priest at the Nunakuma-Shrine in Fukuyama. After his father died, Morishita went to Osaka and started to develop pharmaceutical products. He was also a pioneer of Japanese advertising. The silver coated pellet-like pills were advertised from 1904 through the end of World War II. The name Jintan combines the Confucian term jin with the Daoist term tan evoking the notion of longevity and health.

Composition

Jintan has about 16 ingredients including cinnamon, mint, cumin, clove, and Fructus Amomi.

Packaging

During the Russo-Japanese War the packaging was re-designed as a Meiji period soldier in court dress with bicorne.

Literature