• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.105-111
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• 2009

Melasma is a common disorder that causes dark colored patches. It generally causes brown spots on the face, especially on the forehead, cheeks, and upper lips. The pattern of patches has bilateral symmetry in yellowish-brown to gray-brown colors. It is much more common in women than in men. Melasma is considered to be caused by environmental and physical constitutional factors and often occurs when a woman's hormone changes by pregnancy or the use of oral contraceptive pills. It is important to combine oriental medicine and Sasang constitutional medicine for treatment of Melasma. Normal treatment of Melasma includes warming oneself, removal of the emotional stress factors, and good nutrition.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2010

1. Objectives: This study was performed to research the relationship between Sasang Constitution and characteristics of tongue diagnosis based on Donguisusebowon's Experience prescriptions(經驗方). 2. Methods: We searched tongue diagnosis factors in Donguisusebowon and classified this. Based on Donguisusebowon's Experience prescriptions(經驗方), we find tongue diagnosis factors in 6 contemporary Oriental medicine prescription books. 3. Results: Most So-eumin has white thin tongue coating and clear redish tongue color. Yellow tongue coatings are found in symptoms for Yinjinho-tang(Yinchenhao-tang), Soseungki-tang(Xiaochengqi-tang), Daeseungki-tang(Dachengqi-tang). Shortened Tongue is found in So-eumin's experience prescription and So-yangin's treat histroy. It didn't shown that So-eumin's Semen Crotonis included 6 prescritions' factors of tongue diagnosis. So-yangin's white tongue coating is found in Hyungbangpaedok-san(Jingfangbaidu-san), Sipjo-tang(Shizao-tang), Sosiho-tang(Xiaocihu-tang), Shinki-hwan(Shenqi-wan). Most of other So-yangin's tongue coatings are Yellowish and tongue color is deep red. Tae-eumin have thin white tongue coating at the Mahuang-tang(Mahuang-tang). Red tongue color and drying tongue are found at Jowiseungki-tang(Tiaoweichengqi-tang)Daesiho-tang(Dacihu-tang)Saengmaek-san(Shengmai-san) 4. Conclusions: Following So-eumin's Experience prescriptions, So-eumin's tongue color is clear red and tongue coatings are thin white and greasy. Following So-yangin's Experience prescriptions, So-yangin's tongue color is deep red and tongue coatings are yellowish and scarce except Exterior cold disease. And So-yangin has specific symptom of irritability, oral sores. Tae-eumin's tongue has two sides of white thin tongue coatings and Red and drying tongue.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.41-68
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• 1996

This thesis is a try for examining the historical characteristics of Constiutional medicine. For this purpose, I have examined their theory, and made a comparison carefully. Through this study, I have obtained several results as following. Both Chang and Lee lived in the time of change, which was unstable and uncertain. Under the condition, they both rejected following the existing trends of learned circles, and developed new thoughts and clinical techniques. They rejected superstitious beliefs and fatalism, and conducted the pursuit of experimental knowledge and rationale idea. Clinical experience was the very base of their study. They both criticized the bad habits of abuse of tonifing medication and health seeking. Especially Lee regarded control of emotion and regulation of a way of life as the best way for preservation of one's health. Chang regarded pathogenic factors as the ultimate factor of diseases, and strived for eliminating pathogenic factors, but L brought to a conclusion that the final factor of diseases was what is called "heart" itself, and emotional changes were the most essential causes of disease. It can be said that the pathogenesis insisted by Chang can be called The insistence that pathologic factors are the very etiology of all the disease (邪氣致病論), or all the diseases result from pathologic factors. And his whole remedy can be summarized as following, A study on the method of eliminating pathogenic factors. But the purpose of Constitutional medicine is to correct imbalance intrinsic to one's internal organs. In this aspect, Constitutional medicine is a "regulatory medicine". Depending on the classification of six vital substances, Chang classified all disease into six categories. These were based on symptoms and sings represented. While classification of diseases made by Lee was likely to rely upon constitutional characteristics. Chang thought that the three remedies made up of perspiration, purgation, vomiting were the most efficient way of eliminating pathogenic factors. Lee, however, thought those weren't methods of eliminating pathogenic factors but the best ways restoring one's self-regulation power. Chang thought that all the febrile disease essentially has a tendency in properties to belong to "heat", but Lee pointed out that pathologic processes are variable in accordance with constitutional features. They both regarded pathogenesis of diabetes as fire. That is to say, fire is the most essential factor of diabetes. And there are many risk factors such as inappropriate foods, drugs, climate, etc., but Lee thought what is most important is heart. Putting all accounts together, medical characteristics of Chang are similar to those of T aiyinjen and Shaoyangjen, and have no relation to those of those of Shaoyinjen. Therefore we can conclude that Chang understood pathologic processes of disease of T aiyinjen and Shaoyangjen, whether he knew about constitutional features or not.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.115-119
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• 2002

Hak-Jil(瘧疾) has a broad sense of affection due to exgenous pathogenic factors including repeating creeping chill, fever and aversion to heat during fever, in Oriental Medicine. Hak-jil(瘧疾) has a very fast progress and seriousness, so patients and protectors want to visiting western medicinal hospital, not oriental medicinal hospital. But, We accidentally met Soeumin man having Hak-jil(瘧疾) and acquired good results by treatment him with Sasang Constitutional Medicinal method. This paper describe the process and contents about the way the patient was cured.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.60-68
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• 2014

Background: Pattern identification is a unique diagnostic method of traditional Oriental medicine that has recently been the target of questionnaire-based research. Sasang (four-types) constitutional medicine (SCM) is a practice in traditional Korean medicine that seeks to promote objectivity in diagnostics. This paper attempts to illuminate the relationship between constitutions and the pathogenic factors of pattern identification through questionnaires completed by menopausal women about their symptoms. Methods: From March to October 2012, we examined 291 women from the general population, with ages ranging from 40 to 60 years, applying the Kupperman index, the Menopause-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire (MENQOL), pattern identification based on the Diagnosis System of Oriental Medicine (DSOM), and SCM. We then analyzed the relationship between constitutional type and pathogenic factors. Results: No significant differences were found in the scores of either the Kupperman index or MENQOL questionnaire in relation to constitutional type. However, in a statistical analysis correlating the DSOM pathogenic factor scores (PFS) with the scores of the Kupperman index and MENQOL vasomotor subscale, heat showed a significant positive correlation with SoYang type (SY) and TaeEum type (TE), but not SoEum type (SE), while insufficiency of yin and insufficiency of yang, as well as blood deficiency, showed a significant positive correlation with the TE and SE types. Conclusion: The pathogenic factors in the menopausal symptoms of middle-aged women, specifically the prominent menopausal symptom of facial flushing, differed significantly according to constitutional type.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.1-13
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• 2013

Objectives This study is to investigate the related factors to contribute the metabolic syndrome according to Sasang Constitution. Methods Nine hundred twenty six persons out of 1774 persons, over 40 years old, participated in community-based cohort in Wonju City of South Korea from June 2006 to August 2009. The diagnosis of metabolic syndrome was carried out by NCEP-ATP III(National Cholesterol Education Program in Adult Treatment Panel III) and Asian Pacific Criteria for abdominal obesity. The related factors were checked using questionnaire and blood samples. Sasang Constitution was verified by a Sasang Constitution specialist using the results of PSSC(Phonetic System for Sasang Constitution), facial pictures and simplified Sasang Constitutional questionnaires. Metabolic syndrome incidence rate according to Sasang Constitution and binary logistic regression analysis were performed with SPSS 19.0. Results Metabolic syndrome incidence rate was 30.3% and the majority of newly categorized as metabolic syndrome was Taeeumin(40.7%). There were significant risk factors like systolic blood pressure, fasting blood sugar, triglyceride and female and a significant defense factor like HDL-cholesterol. In terms of constitutional view, there were significant risk factors like waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, triglyceride in Soyangin, female, waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, fasting blood sugar, triglyceride in Taeeumin, female, waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, triglyceride in Soeumin. And there was a significant defense factor like HDL-cholesterol in only Taeeumin. Conclusions Regimens on metabolic syndrome were considered to be changed according to Sasang Constitution. Taeeumin female and Soeumin female should be cautious of body weight and metabolic syndrome when elderly. There are more cautious risk factors in each constitution; systolic blood pressure and triglyceride in Soyangin and fasting blood sugar and serum lipids levels in Soeumin and Taeeumin.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.110-121
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• 2010

1. Objectives: This investigation compares the eating behaviors across normal-weight male groups of different Sasang constitutional types. 2. Methods: We recruited 31 male participants aged 20-35 with BMI 18.5-23. The eating behavior was assessed using Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS), Bulimia Test Revised (BULIT-R), Korean Version of Eating Attitude Test-26 (KEAT-26), and Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ). 3. Results: 1) Assessments made by GSRS, KEAT-26, and BULIT-R were not significantly different across different Sasang constitutional types. (p<0.05) 2) The Soeum group showed significantly lower BMI and body weight compared to the Soyang and Taeeum groups. 3) The Emotional eating subscale of DEBQ differed significantly across different Sasang constitutional types. (p<0.05) 4) The Soeum group showed a significantly lower Emotional eating subscale score of DEBQ compared to the Soyang and Taeeum groups. 4. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that emotional factors could influence eating behaviors differently across different Sasang constitutional types, in which the Soeum type is less affected than the Soyang type by emotional states.

• Korean Journal of Oriental Medicine
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.35-43
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• 2009

Introduction : Interests in personalized medicine or tailored medicine is growing in recent years, but traditional medicine with properties of tailored medicine have already been developing from many parts of the world. In this review paper, we tried to investigate the current research status and characteristics of traditional constitutional medicine by a comparative study. Methods and Material : We compared Sasang medicine from Korea, Ikkando medicine from Japan, Chinese constitutional medicine, Ayurveda from India. We investigated the current research status by searching academic DBs such as Medline, Riss4u, Kiss, CNKI, CINII. Then we examined characteristics of each medicine from various aspects of physiology-pathology-diagnosis-treatment-prevention. Results : We found out that each constitutional medicine is being studied the most in their native land. In addition, after analysing characteristics of these constitutional medicine, we learned that Sasang medicine and Ayurveda were putting emphasis on psychological factors in physiology-pathology-diagnosis-treatment-prevention, while Chinese constitutional medicine and Ikkando medicine were focusing on pathological factors. Discussion : We studied theories of constitutional medicine in various traditional medicine, and verified that Sasang medicine shares similarities and differences with these medicine. We suggest that deeper understandings of other constitutional medicine and attempts at clinical application can lead to advance of Sasang medicine.

• Journal of Korean Medical classics
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.676-718
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• 1998

After a comparative study on between Shanghanlun(傷寒論) and Sa-sang constitutional medicine(四象醫學) in Pathogenesis, I got a conclusion like this. Sa-sang consitutional medicine(四象醫學) changed the directions to the medicine in the center of personality from the medicine in the center of Shanghanlun(傷寒論)'s demonstration, devided the personality of people by the size of Organ system(臟腑) into 4types of Tae-eum, Yo-yang, Tae-yang, Yo-eum(太少陰陽), and explains all the course of physiology, pathology, diagnosis, therapy of the body on the point of constitutional view. Comparing the features of two medicines, Shanghanlun(傷寒論) and Sa-sang constitutional medicine(四象醫學), Shanghanlun(傷寒論) devided the diseases into the three type of eum-yang based on eight principal syndroms(八綱原理), in accordance with evidence of illness, pulse and studied the therapy, Shanghanlun(傷寒論) set up the basis of medicine which is based on overall of symptoms and signg(辨證論治醫學). Sa-sang constitutional medicine(四象醫學) distinguished the image(象) which is devided by the size of inherited Organ system(臟腑), refered to the symptom of diseases(病症) and decided the therapic directions. So Sa-sang constitutional medicine(四象醫學) gave more accuracy to the therapy by subdeviding the process of differenciation of case(辨證) into 2 steps of differenciation of image(辨象) and differenciation of case(辨證). In view of etiologic factor, Shanghanlun(傷寒論) regarded it as a invading of pathogenic factors(邪氣), so Shanghanlun(傷寒論) has the medical theory of pathogenic factors(邪氣). But Sa-sang constitutional medicine(四象醫學) regarded it as a disorder of the genuine energy(正氣)'s movements(升降緩速), so Sa-sang constitutional medicine(四象醫學) has the medical theory putting first of genuine energy(正氣). But Shanghanlun(傷寒論) also recognized the constitutional difference basically and Sa-sang consitutional medicine(四象醫學) devided the constitution into Tae-eum, Yo-yang, Tae-yang, Yo-eum(太少陰陽) and explained the food-air-fluid metabolism(飮食-氣液之氣病證) as cold-hot, cool-warm and devided the the symptom of diseases(病症) into the interior and the exterior(表裏) as the up-down, slow-fast movements of eum-yang and insufficiency and excessiveness is between them. In the end, Sa-sang constitutional medicine(四象醫學) has the theory of eight principal syndroms(八綱原理) faithfully which is the theory of differenciation of case(辨證理論) of Shanghanlun(傷寒論). Therefore Shanghanlun(傷寒論) made a lot of influence on originating Sa-sang constitutional medicine(四象醫學), Sa-sang constitutional medicine(四象醫學) is the theory which is based on existing medical theory including Shanghanlun(傷寒論) and composed the new medical theory to the constitutional point of view. Sa-sang constitutional medicine(四象醫學) enriched the medical theory and developed the clinical medicine so it has the historical value in the medicine.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.503-513
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• 2011

1. Objective This study aimed to find out the epidemiologic characteristics of constitutional disease syndromes at a hospital of Oriental medicine in Seoul. 2. Methods The medical records of 1354 subjects who have received prescriptions and diagnosis of Sasang constitution from January 2008 to December 2009 at a hospital of Oriental medicine were reviewed. General factors and the frequency of the prescriptions according to Sasang constitution were compared and analyzed. 3. Results 1) Among the 1354 subjects, 562(41.5%) persons were males and 792(58.5%) females. 614(45.3%) persons were Soeumin, 369(27.3%) Soyangin, 364(26.9%) Taeumin, and 7(0.5%) Taeyangin. 2) The frequencies of the prescriptions of 14 constitutional disease syndromes were compared. Taeum Syndrome, Esophagus Cold Syndrome and Yin Deficiency Tidal fever Syndrome show the high frequencies among 14 disease syndromes. Chest Heat Syndrome, Deficiency of Yin and Blood syndrome and Soeum Syndrome show the low frequencies among 14 disease syndromes. Interior disease(63.4%) was higher than exterior disease(36.6%) and mild disease(61.8%) was higher than severe disease(38.2%). 3) Among all constitutional prescriptions, Jowyiseungchung-tang was the most common and next rankings were Gupoong-tang and Dokhwaljihwang-tang in turns. 4. Conclusions From all these considerations, it would seem that Taeum Syndrome in Soeumin, Esophagus Cold Syndrome in Taeumin and Yin Deficiency Tidal fever Syndrome in Soyangin show the high frequencies in a hospital of Oriental medicine in Seoul. Large-scale epidemiologic study in Sasang constitutional medicine may be needed on various ways and places.