• The Journal of Korean Medical History
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.103-109
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• 2015

We have summarized a large part of the history of Korean medicine from a macroscopic perspective. However, many aspects still remain incomplete from a microscopic perspective. This is partly because the society under the Chosun dynasty was dominated by the gentry class and they were not active in the field of medicine. However, another reason is that, unlike the Chinese, these people left behind few medical case records (醫案, eui-an) that vividly describe the treatment methods prevalent during those times. This may be attributed to the fact that during those times, the focus of medical doctors was not on recording their knowledge and experiences, but on simplification of diagnosis and treatments for practical use. However, since medical case records of any era provide an insight into the state of medical provision at that time, they could play an important role in providing concrete knowledge regarding the state of medicine under the Chosun dynasty, and in understanding the uniqueness of Korean medicine in detail. Therefore, in this article we discuss the recently discovered Gyeongheombang (經驗方), which is archived at the Korea University, and through this we aim to add a new source of detailed information on Korean medicine, and to identify the potential of Korean medicine by demonstrating its uniqueness.

• Journal of Korean Medical classics
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.59-71
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• 2019

Objectives : This paper looks at the history of East Asian acupuncture and moxibustion in the context of the general orientations of craft and art. It is understood that acupuncture and moxibustion was the ultimate integration of reason and craft in which text and experience mutually influenced each other throughout its development. In Joseon, the pursuit of integration between the body and the order of the Heaven and Earth was particularly prominent. Methods : As in the words of Zhunagzi(莊子), the state in which something that deeply touches the mind manifests in the hands has been understood as the ultimate state in modern and ancient art. Starting here, I examined the possibility that Korean acupuncture and art has evolved from such foundations step by step. Major acupuncture and moxibustion texts were examined historically, starting with "Shenyingjing(神應經)", leading to "Junggan-Shenyingjing (重刊神應經)", "Chimgu-Gyeongheombang(鍼灸經驗方)", "Chijongjinam(治腫指南)", "Chijongjinam-Joseonchambon治腫指南朝鮮?本", "Chimgutaegilpyeonjip(鍼灸擇日編集)", "Chimgu-Myeonggam(鍼灸明鑑)". Introductions and main contents of the texts were analyzed and presented appropriately. Results : East Asian acupuncture and moxibustion has developed based on the study of pathways that correspond to Shen, of the accordance and harmony between body and the order of Heaven and Earth together with theoretical refinement, technical development, and acceptance of new discoveries. In the perspective of craft, this was motivated by artistic passions such as '得於心 應於手' and '醫者意也'. In the case of refined acupuncture methods, due to their difficulty in education and transmission there has been some fluctuation. Conclusions : Korea, China, and Japan share a largely similar philosophical and cultural basis. Reason and craft, text and experience mutually influenced each other while the core of refined acupuncture was widely shared. However, a certain bifurcation point could be detected.

• Journal of Ginseng Culture
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• v.5
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• pp.21-31
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• 2023

Korean ginseng, a special product of Korea, has been one of the most important exports since the era of the Three Kingdoms. However, not many records were kept about ginseng in Korea until the Goryeo Dynasty. This paper summarizes the records relating to international diplomatic relations and trade of ginseng in the Goryeo Dynasty and the medicinal books known to have been published at the time. During the Goryeo Dynasty, ginseng was actively transported to the neighboring countries of Bohai, Song, Wa, Later Jin, and Yuan as a diplomatic gift or as a trade item. Ginseng was mainly exported from Goryeo to these countries, but it was also received as a diplomatic gift from Bohai and Khitan. Arabian merchants came to Byeokran Port, a representative international trading port of Goryeo, and traded ginseng. After the Mongol invasion, the demand for ginseng in the Yuan Dynasty was excessive, which became a big social problem. During the Goryeo Dynasty, several medicinal books were published, including Jejungiphyobang, Eouuichwalyobang, Hyangyakgobang, Samhwajahyangyakbang, Hyangyak Hyemin Gyeongheombang, Hyangyak Gugeupbang, and Biyebaekyobang. Hyangyak Gugeupbang, which was reprinted during the Joseon Dynasty, has been handed down to the present time, although this has not been the case for the originals of the remaining books. Recently, some of the latter books have been restored through the study of the references in various medicinal books of later generations. While the medicinal books used in the royal court showed that a high proportion of the prescriptions containing ginseng, not a single prescription for ginseng has been found in theHyangyak Gugeupbang, which was mainly used for commoners. This is thought to be because ginseng was very rare and expensive at the time, so it was difficult for commoners to access it.