Journal of Ginseng Culture (인삼문화)

The Korean Society of Ginseng (고려인삼학회)
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Minh Mang Thang, the Mysterious Vietnamese Prescription Containing Korean Ginseng

  • Thi Hong Van Le (University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh city) ;
  • Van Dan Nguyen (University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh city) ;
  • Manh Hung Tran (School of Medicine and Pharmacy, The University of Danang)
  • Received : 2023.12.06
  • Accepted : 2024.01.11
  • Published : 2024.03.02
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Abstract

Emperor Minh Mang (明命), the second ruler of the Nguyen Dynasty in Vietnam, reigned from 1820 to 1841. He is widely regarded by contemporary historians as the most distinguished monarch of his dynasty, despite some controversial policies. One aspect of his extraordinary legacy is the remarkable 142 offspring he sired - 78 princes and 64 princesses - earning him the unprecedented distinction of having the most progeny among kings in world history. Vietnamese people suppose Minh Mang's prolific reproductive success to the consumption of a specially prescribed medicine known as Minh Mang Thang (明命湯, MMT). This medicine, often associated with sexual potency and fertility, is characterized by intriguing names such as "One night Five sexes," "One night Six sexes born Five babies," or "Six sexes Three pregnancies." Vietnamese folklore vividly recounts Minh Mang's exceptional sexual prowess, attributing it to the use of MMT. MMT formulations, which include various herbs, notably Korean ginseng, may incorporate additional botanical ingredients depending on their intended purpose. This paper aims to explore the origins, history, ingredients, and applications of MMT, unraveling the mystery behind this mystical prescription that has inspired several oriental medicinal researchers. Through this investigation, we seek to shed light on the cultural and historical contexts surrounding Minh Mang's use of MMT and its enduring impact on traditional Vietnamese medicine and folklore.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

This work was supported by the grant from Korean Society of Ginseng in 2021. The authors are grateful to Prof. Jeong Hill Park of Seoul National University for his valuable discussions.

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