Abstract
Yaksung-ga is a short Chinese poem, written for easy memorizing of properties and effects of various herbal drugs. It is very useful for teaching herbalogy and for using in clinical practice. In spite of its importance, research of the Yaksung-ga is very insufficient. Thus, we investigated literary works of Tingxian Gong and Korean medical books in the late Chosun dynasty, to explain how Yaksung-ga had been received and modified in Korean medicine. Manbinghuichun(萬病回春) and Shoushibaoyuan(壽世保元), the literatures of Tingxian Gong, are the origin of Yaksung-ga. Jejungshinpyun(濟衆新編) is the first book which recorded Yaksung-ga in Korea, having influenced Juchonshinbang(舟村新方) and Euijongsonik(醫宗損益). The classification system of Yaksung-ga was remarkably changed in Euijongsonik, according to the method of Bencaogangmu(本草綱目). And the Yaksung-ga of Bangyakhappyun(方藥合編), which is generally used in Korea at present, was shortened from the form of 8 Chinese characters in each line to 7 characters, so that it can be easily recited. In the end, the authors of Korean medical books selectively cited the Yaksung-ga of Tingxian Gong, and added many novel Yaksung-ga.