Abstract
Objectives : The objective of this study lies in theoretical establishment of formulas for invigorating five viscera for curing the asthenic syndrome of five viscera through analyzing the component medicines and combination principles of Hyeongok's formulas for invigorating five viscera, and furthermore, maximizing the clinical use of them. Methods : This study analyzed the component medicines and combination principles of Hyeongok's formulas for invigorating five viscera based on the theory for properties and tastes of herbal medicines from the "Yellow Emperor's Canon of Internal Medicine", the theory for principal herbal medicine, assistant herbal medicine, adjuvant herbal medicine, dispatcher herbal medicine, and the five elements doctrine. Hyeongok's formulas for invigorating five viscera are Bogantang, Boseemtang, Bobeetang, Bopyeotang, and Boshintang. Results : There are three methods for curing the asthenic syndrome of five viscera according to the five elements doctrine: in case of Bogantang invigorating the liver, invigorating the kidney and purging the lung; Boseemtang, invigorating the heart, invigorating the liver and purging the kidney; Bobeetang, invigorating the spleen, invigorating the heart and purging the liver; Bopyeotang, invigorating the lung, invigorating the spleen and purging the heart; Boshintang, invigorating the kidney, invigorating the lung and purging the spleen. Conclusions : First, to cure the asthenic syndrome of five viscera, the methods of invigorating five viscera, and purging five viscera should be used according to the five elements doctrine. Secondly, herbal medicines appropriate for those treatment methods should be chosen according to the theory for properties and tastes of herbal medicine and thirdly, the combination of those herbal medicines should be carried out according to the theory for principal herbal medicine, assistant herbal medicine, adjuvant herbal medicine, dispatcher herbal medicine. As a good example, Hyeongok's formulas for invigorating five viscera are combined according to the above theories. In conclusion, this formula was created by applying to the theory for properties and tastes of herbal medicines.
