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    Korean Medicine: A Holistic Way to Health and Healing
    Korean Medicine: A Holistic Way to Health and Healing
    Korean Medicine: A Holistic Way to Health and Healing
    Ebook138 pages1 hour

    Korean Medicine: A Holistic Way to Health and Healing

    By Hur Inn-hee

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    About this ebook

    Practitioners of Korean traditional medicine say the ultimate cause of disease is not so much the invasion of external elements but rather malfunctions in inherent bodily function. Since disease is considered to result from the weakening of vital energy, the emphasis is placed on boosting the body’s ability to defend against disease. Illness may be attributed to emotional states like joy or sorrow or to other internal causes such as overwork and fluctuations in the function of internal organs. Even diseases that appear to have external causes are ultimately seen as the products of internal factors. If one’s ability to fend off sickness is strong enough, then one will not get sick even if pathogens do enter the body. Thus, treatment focuses mainly on bolstering the body’s vital energy.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherSeoul Selection
    Release dateNov 16, 2015
    ISBN9781624120527
    Korean Medicine: A Holistic Way to Health and Healing

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      Book preview

      Korean Medicine - Hur Inn-hee

      Maimonides

      ORIGINS AND HISTORY

      Korean traditional medicine has developed with the Korean people, and is a product of their collective wisdom. Although ancient Koreans are known to have learned much from neighboring countries such as China, they developed their own medicine better suited to their lifestyle and physical constitution rather than simply following the Chinese model.

      Ancient Times

      From the time the first people arrived on the Korean Peninsula, Koreans have continuously developed and refined their medical knowledge. Early on, this was related mainly to remedial treatment such as easing pain or tending to injury, along with knowing what foods were good for health. In particular, due to its powerful influence, nature became an object of worship and ritual practices. This animistic belief later evolved into shamanism, which reinforced the notion that all things have a spirit. Related to this, a physical ailment was thought to be caused by the influence of evil spirits, for which a shaman was needed to provide a remedy.

      Evidence of ancient Korean medicine can be found in the Dangun myth, in which mugwort and garlic were prescribed. The Dangun creation myth, which is said to recount the origin of the Korean people, was recorded in several historical journals, including "Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms (Samgukyusa)," which was written during the Goryeo Dynasty period (918–1392). This account of the birth of the original Korean nation, Old Joseon (2333–108 B.C.), tells of a bear and tiger who, after appealing to the gods to allow them to take on human form, were told to eat mugwort and garlic.

      Medicine chest with names indicating which medicine goes in each drawer

      This provides insight into how ancient Koreans recognized the efficacy of herbal medicine. Even the foremost Chinese medical journal, Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing (Shen Nong Materia Medica), contained no reference to mugwort or garlic. Compiled in the Later Han Dynasty (25–220) and the Three Kingdoms period (220–280) of China, this journal describes the uses for 365 medicines. The lack of any reference to mugwort or garlic seems to verify the independent development of Korean traditional medicine.

      In Korea’s Three Kingdoms period (57 B.C.– A.D. 668), significant exchanges were conducted with other countries, to the point that such foreign influences eventually permeated Korean culture and medicine. In particular, medical knowledge from China and India supplemented the foundation of traditional medicine in Korea that had been handed down from the Old Joseon period, which spurred further development.

      This trend continued into the Unified Silla period (676–935), with Korean medicine being blended with those of China and India and then localized. In the Goryeo period (918–1392), a variety of medicinal ingredients were introduced to Korea by China’s Song Dynasty (960–1279) as well as Arab merchants, and this contributed to the expansion of Korea’s medical knowledge.

      Origins of the Korean Approach

      Korea began to establish a truly unique form of traditional medicine in the Goryeo Dynasty period due primarily to the lack of development of Chinese medicine after the founding of the Yuan Dynasty (1271–1368) and subsequent decline in the value of Sino-Korean medical exchanges. So a Korean form of medicine tailored to Korea’s conditions began to thrive, and this included the publication of medical journals, such as Jejungiphyobang (An Introductory Guide to Medicine for the General Public), Eouichwal yobang (The Essential Guide to Mastering Medicine), and Hyangyakgugeupbang (Guide to Korean Medicine and First Aid). These publications included medical knowledge from China’s Song and Yuan dynasties and elsewhere, but also documented extensive research findings of medicinal ingredients indigenous to Korea. They also showed the significant advancement of Korean traditional medicine from the Old Joseon period.

      Display of old medicine brewing pots at the Choonwondang Museum of Korean Medicine that were used to brew or heat herbal concoctions

      The uniqueness of Korean traditional medicine, which had emerged in the late Goryeo period, continued through the Joseon period (1392–1910). For example, the first training system for nurses was instituted under Joseon Dynasty King Taejong (r. 1400–1418), while under King Sejong’s reign (r. 1418–1450) measures were adopted to promote the development of a variety of Korean medicinal ingredients. These efforts were systematized and published in Hyangyakjipseongbang (A Cumulative Guide to Korean Medicine).

      Hyangyakjipseongbang

      In addition, exchange between Korea and China continued, which had an effect on the development of medical research in Korea. The results of this research were published in Uibangyuchwi (Classification of the Medical Arts). Thereafter, several medical journals were introduced from Ming Dynasty China (1368–1644) while specialized medical texts including detailed accounts of clinical research were also written in Korea.

      A visitor looks at exhibits on Korean medicine pioneer Heo Jun and The Donguibogam at Sancheong Museum of Herbal Medicine.

      In the mid-Joseon period, the scholar Heo Jun (1539–1615) compiled Donguibogam (Principles and Practices of Korean Medicine), which is considered one of the most outstanding achievements in Oriental medicine. Comprising a summary of Oriental medicine based on Korean traditional medicine and a medical text that systematized concepts handed down from generation to generation, the book was widely distributed throughout Korea, China, and Japan, and is used as a reference even today.

      In the late Joseon period of the 19th century, greater emphasis was placed on practicality, leading to the emergence of positivistic schools of thought and, in turn, the categorization and specialization of knowledge. As such, treatment methods that

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