Traditional Korean Medicine
History of Hanyak
Hanyak [ 한약 ] - traditional Korean medicine
Traced back to 3000 BCE
Story of the founding of Korea features Dangun consuming mugwort /wormwood and garlic which were called "edible medicine"
Knowledge gained through trade and outposts with other nations like China
Medicinal practices slowly became more unique to Korea
Public office of medicine established during the Three Kingdoms period [57 BCE – 668 CE]
Writings of Hanyak
Hyangyakgugeubang [ 향약구급방 ]
• First Aid Prescriptions Using Native Ingredients
• Written during the Goryeo Period [918 - 1392]
• Listed the methods of treating various ailments
• One of the earliest compilations of medicinal knowledge
Writings of Hanyak
Donguibogam [ 동의보감 ]
• Written by Heo Jun
• Finished and published in 1613
• Most important text of early Korean medicine
§ Makes distinction between Chinese and Korean medicine
§ Importance of internal factors as cause of illness
§ Set standard for medicine during the Joseon Dynasty
Plants & herbs used in Hanyak
Mugwort /wormwood [ 쑥 ]
• Leaves are used
• Used for fever and stomachache
Fish mint [ 어성초 ]
• Leaves are used
• Has antibacterial properties, detoxifies skin, promotes cell regeneration
• Used as natural remedy for SARS virus
Chinese hawthorn [ 산사 ]
• Fruit is dried
• Treats abdominal pain, indigestion, diarrhea, acid reflux
Plants & herbs used in Hanyak
Magnolia/lily tree [ 백목련 ]
• Flower buds are used
• Treats headaches, sinus/nasal congestion, and body aches
Poria [ 복령 ]
• Mushroom found a tbase of dead pine trees
• Activates blood circulation, treats kidney disease, cystitis, and more
Sasang [사상]
Introduced by Yi Jema
Biophysical traits of a person's body are analyzed, assigned one of the Four Constitutions
Helps determine the best way to treat a person/which medicine to use
Creates close relationship between wellbeing of the mind and body
Sasang [사상]
The Four Constitutions
• Taeyang [ 태양 ] - greater yang
• Taeeun [ 태음 ] - greater yin
• Soyang [ 소양 ] - lesser yang
• Soeum [ 소음 ] - lesser yin
Hanyak in South Korea today
Use of herbal medicine is still ingrained into Korean culture
Covered by health insurance since 1987
Good Manufacturing Practice introduced in 2012, made mandatory in 2015 • Regulations to make sure herbs are being processed in licensed facilities
Sources
Traditional Korean Medicine: Hanyak, Sasang, and Medicinal Herbs - The Soul of Seoul
Traditional Chinese, Korean, and Kampo Medicine: an introduction to the three main strands of Traditional
Medicine in Northeast Asia - London Korean Links
Medicine in Korea - SpringerLink
Traditional Korean medicine - Wikipedia
Dongui Bogam - Wikipedia
Medicinal Plants in the Republic of Korea - World Health Organization
Artemisia princeps - Wikipedia
Crataegus pinnatifida - Wikipedia
Wolfiporia extensa - Wikipedia