OBJECTIVE This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of Kampo-sommelier practice, an active learning program on crude drugs used in Kampo formulations. METHODS The participants were fourth-year Tokai University School of Medicine students as of 2017. Eighteen small teams attended a 20-minute Kampo-sommelier practice session and were provided 10 kinds of crude drugs (Licorice, Cinnamon, Ginger, etc.) in three forms, original, cut, and powdered, while blinded to the drugs. Each team was asked to distinguish each drug in terms of form, scent, flavor, and color with reference to described characteristics. The ability to match the names of the drugs with their descriptions was assessed in the participants one month later, and also in human science "A" and medicine "B" students, without prior education, and pharmacy "C" students, with professional education. RESULTS The 117 participants received an average score of 6.2 ± 2.4 (mean ± S.D.) out of 10, which was significantly higher than 3.4 ± 1.8 in 97 "A" students and 3.1 ± 2.4 in 85 "B" students and lower than 8.4 ± 2.1 in 135 "C" students (p < 0.05 for all). CONCLUSIONS The effectiveness of this team-based learning approach is suggested by the significantly higher scores of the participants.