Abstract
Objectives : Not many studies have been done on the mechanism of the Gangeum or Gangpyoeum method which treats the Soyang Exterior Pattern, nor on which collective or individual roles the Gangeum medicinals play. Therefore in this study, four medicinals categorized as Gangpyoeum which are Jingjie, Fangfeng, Qianghuo, Duhuo, were analyzed in terms of their individual and collective effects. Methods : Content analysis based on the verses in the Donguisusebowon, and medicinal analysis on contents from the Donguibogam, Bencaogangmu, and Benjingshuzheng were carried out followed by a medicinal combination analysis using the InSAm 1.1 program. Results : The four medicinals Jingjie, Fangfeng, Qianghuo, Duhuo had the common effect of normalizing the Wei qi, allowing for unobstructed Qi flow to prevent production of dampness and phlegm, which ultimately lowers Yin[降陰, gangeum] and helps to preserve the Kidney Yin Qi. Jingjie works at the highest position of the upper body; Fangfeng, the most basic medicinal of the Soyangin pattern, works mostly at the upper body although it defends the entire body from wind-dampness. Qianghuo and Duhuo are more or less similar. The difference is that Qianghuo mostly pulls Yang qi upwards while eliminating pathological byproducts, and Duhuo stabilizes the lower body that pulls Wei qi upwards. Conclusions : Analysis on the relationship between Gangpyoeum of the Soyangin pattern and Wei qi, the individual and collective effects of the four Gangpyoeum medicinals were carried out. Further research on other major Soyangin medicinals, along with those of other constitution patterns is anticipated.