• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.33-42
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• 2024

Objectives : The sigma-1 receptor is implicated in stress, depression, psychostimulant sensitization, and addiction vulnerability. Prior studies have indicated that ethanol exposure modulates sigma-1 receptor activity within the Ventral Tegmental Area (VTA). Here, we explore the sub-mechanisms underlying sigma-1 receptor activity induced by HT7 (Shinmun) stimulation in behavioral alterations following acute ethanol (ETOH) administration. Methods : Male Wistar rats were investigated for pro- and anti-inflammatory markers after injection of ETOH (1 g/kg) using cytokine enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)s. After confirming that HT7 stimulation changed the total distance traveled in the open field test (OFT), protein changes in the Ventral tegmental area (VTA) were measured by Western blotting. The expression level of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) after administration of a sigma-1 receptor antagonist (dihydrobromide 1047; BD1047, 10 mg/kg i.p.) and Shenmen (HT7) stimulation was compared. Results : As a result, acute ETOH administration increased proinflammatory marker levels (TNF-𝛼 and IL-6). HT7 stimulation restored the total distance response after acute ethanol administration. In addition, in the VTA, the levels of a microglial marker (iNOS), sigma-1 receptor and protein kinase C, which are predicted to be involved in up- and downregulation, were restored by HT7 stimulation. In particular, HT7 stimulation modulates iNOS expression through effects similar to BD treatment. This study suggests that the stimulatory effect of HT7 may be driven by microglial activation. Conclusions : Microglial activity is regulated by sigma-1 receptor, and sigma-1 receptor activity is regulated by HT7 stimulation. Significantly, we demonstrate that HT7 stimulation ameliorates behavioral alterations induced by acute ETOH administration through microglial activation within the VTA.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.27-37
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• 2024

Objectives: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a prevalent mental health condition, and techniques using sensory stimulation in processing traumatic memories have gained attention. The Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) is a psychotherapy that combines tapping on acupoints with exposure to cognitive reframing. This pilot study aimed to assess the feasibility of EFT as a treatment for PTSD by answering the following research questions: 1) What is the compliance and completion rate of patients with PTSD with regard to EFT protocol? Is the dropout rate reasonable? 2) Is the effect size of EFT protocol for PTSD sufficient to justify a future trial? Methods: Thirty participants diagnosed with PTSD were recruited. They received weekly EFT sessions for five weeks, in which they repeated a statement acknowledging the problem and accepting themselves while tapping the SI3 acupoint on the side of their hand. PTSD symptoms were evaluated using the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) before and after the intervention. Results: Of the 30 PTSD patients (mean age: 34.1 ± 9.1, 80% female), 96.7% showed over 80% compliance to the EFT sessions, and 86.7% completed the entire study process. The mean PCL-5 total score decreased significantly after the intervention, with a large effect size (change from baseline: -14.33 [95% CI: -19.79, -8.86], p < 0.0001, d = 1.06). Conclusion: The study suggests that EFT is a feasible treatment for PTSD, with high session compliance and low dropout rates. The effect size observed in this study supports the need for a larger trial in the future to further investigate EFT as a treatment for PTSD. However, the lack of a control group and the use of a self-rated questionnaire for PTSD symptoms are limitations of this study. The findings of this pilot study can be used to plan a future trial.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.66-78
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• 2014

Objectives : The specificity of acupuncture point has been a highly controversial subject. Existing researches said that ion-distribution differences are observed on the acupuncture point. This study was conducted under the assumption that multiple ionic changes induced by muscle fatigue would be different between the acupuncture point with non-acupuncture point. Methods : To induce the identical fatigue, twenty subjects performed the knee extension/flexion exercise using the Biodex System 3. ST32 and ST33 as well as adjacent non-acupuncture points were selected. We measured blood lactate and analyzed the median frequency(MF) and peak torque. To obtain the information on the extracellular fluid(ECW), intracellular fluid(ICW) and cell membrane indirectly, we used the multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis(MF-BIA) method. Results : MF, peak torque and blood lactate level of all measurement sites were gradually returned to normal. Re resistance of ST32 had a stronger response, but a non-acupuncture point adjacent to ST33 had a larger response up to 20 minutes post exercise. Ri resistances were similar for both acupoints and non-acupoints. The $C_m$ capacitance of ST32 had a stronger response after inducing fatigue, but ST33 had a smaller response than a non-acupuncture point adjacent to it. Conclusions : In comparison with before and after inducing fatigue, the specificity of acupuncture points was not clearly observed. Hence, we concluded that the body composition factors extraction method had the limitation as a method of finding the specificity of acupuncture points by inducing fatigue.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.49-105
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• 2007

Objectives : Select and analyze the case record of dyspnea and wheezing asthma recorded in Xu Ming Yi Lei An that is the most abundant and wide in contents in existing case records that are systematic, comprehending relatively modern Traditional Chinese Medicine to secure more deep and objective basis of Traditional Chinese Medicine approach for dyspnea and wheezing asthma to analyze and review possibility for clinical application in this study. Methods: The study was conducted with the case records of dyspnea and wheezing asthma in whole Xu Ming Yi Lei An. Pattern identify and classify selected case records and again classified with deficiency syndrome and excess syndrome. Also analyzed prescriptions and herbs used in the case records. Nature of herbs and properties and flavors that were used in the case records were classified and frequency of each nature of herbs were analyzed. Applicable case records were interpreted and suggested prescriptions, pulse feelings, pattern classification were analyzed and described. Results : Among the 5254 case records stated on the complete collection, it is researched that there are 63 case records for the symptom complex of dyspnea as 1.2% of the whole case records, and the case records on the symptom complex of wheezing asthma are 14 as the 0.27% of the total examples. 63 case record examples related with symptom complex of dyspnea were pattern identified and classified. As a result, deficiency syndrome of the Kidney(33 %), deficiency syndrome of the Spleen(26.0%), Wind-Cold(12.3%), phlegm turbidity(12.3%), Heat in the Lung(8.2%), asthenia of the Lung(8.2%) were investigated as above order. 14 case record examples related with wheezing asthma were pattern identified and classified. As a result, phlegm-Heat(26.3%), upper excess and lower deficiency(26.3%), external affections Wind-Cold(15.8%), Dampness-phlegm(10.5%), Lung asthenia(10.5%), Cold phlegm(5.3%), mutual deficiency and detriment of Heart and Kidneys(5.3%) were investigated as above order. Symptom complex of dyspnea has 67.1% of deficiency syndrome, 32.9% of excess syndrome resulting more deficiency syndrome than excess syndrome. Symptom complex of wheezing asthma has 42.1 % of deficiency syndrome and 57.9% of excess syndrome resulting more excess syndrome than deficiency syndrome. In case of symptom complex of dyspnea prescription used in the case record, the order of frequency is as following. Palmijihwang-tang, Bojung-ikgitang, Yungmijihwang-tang, Ijintang, Sojaganggitang, Igongsan. In case of symptom complex of wheezing asthma prescription in the case record, Yungmijihwang-tang, Ohotang, Dodamtang were mostly used. Herbs used in case records of symptom complex of dyspnea are Ginseng Radix, Poria, Glycyrrhizae Radix, Aconiti Iateralis Preparata Radix, Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, Dioscoreae Rhizoma, Angelicae Gigantis Radix, Rehmanniae Radix Preparat, Pinelliae Rhizoma, Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens are mostly used. Nature of herb properties used for symptom complex of dyspnea and symptom complex of wheezing asthma are herbs that are warm properties. When the symptom complex of dyspnea and the symptom complex of wheezing asthma were treated. if the patient felt tenderness at Pyesu, doctors conducted pricking blood around the opposite Pyesu or Sipseon acupoint. when the patient didn't have tenderness at Pyesu by soft press, pricking blood was performed both sidees, right and left Pyesu. In case of the treatment of symptom complex of dyspnea and symptom complex of wheezing asthma, when they got treatment, when the symptom complex of disease is severe, a doctor cauterized the opposite Pyesu while the other Pyesu felt tenderness, and decided how the above treatment is performed whether the degree of the symptom compolex of disease is severe or not. In case of the treatment of symptom complex of dyspnea and symptom complex of wheezing asthma, if the person felt tenderness at Pyesu and is caught by the Wind-Cold pathogen, slight acupuncture is treated at relevant Pyesu with Fire needling. When patient with symptom complex of dyspnea and symptom complex of wheezing asthma cannot hawk sputum up from the oral and laryngopharynx, suction method is treated. Conclusion : With this study, actual traditional and clinical pattern identification form and characteristics of symptom complex of dyspnea and symptom complex of wheezing asthma were recognized. Modern case report utilizing in clinical application need to be secured and an incurable disease asthma need to be diagnosed and improvement for treatments have to be searched through other case records.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.40 no.12
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• pp.1642-1647
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• 2011

The free radical scavenging activities of extracts from Ligustrum ovalifolium H. leaves (LOH) as well as various antioxidant activities such as ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), 2,2'-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging activity, reducing power and lipid peroxidation inhibition were evaluated by electron spin resonance (ESR). The total polyphenol and flavonoid contents of the water and ethanolic extracts from LOH were $105.5{\pm}1.31$ and $102.1{\pm}1.82$ mg gallic acid equivalent/g extract, respectively, and $84{\pm}1.72$ and $82.8{\pm}1.65$ mg catechin equivalent/g extract. In addition, $IC_{50}$ values for the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryldrazyl (DPPH), alkyl, and hydroxyl radical scavenging activities of the water and ethanolic extracts were $0.021{\pm}0.002$ and $0.010{\pm}0.003$ mg/mL, $0.011{\pm}0.003$ and $0.012{\pm}0.002$ mg/mL, and $0.395{\pm}0.002$ and $0.443{\pm}0.002$ mg/mL, respectively. The ABTS radical scavenging activities of the water and ethanolic extracts from LOH and BHT were $0.073{\pm}0.12$, $0.130{\pm}0.06$ and $1.461{\pm}0.02$ mM Trolox equivalent/mg extract, respectively. The FRAP values of the extracts from LOH were higher than those of BHT, which was used as a positive control. The LOH extracts showed strong inhibitory effects on lipid peroxidation as measured by ferric thiocyanate (FTC) and thiobarbituric acid (TBA) assay compared to that of ${\alpha}$-tocopherol. Using MTT assay on human liver cells (Chang), extracts from LOH showed no toxicity at a concentration of 0.5 mg/mL. These results indicate that the LOH extracts possessed antioxidant activity.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.118-132
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• 2003

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Joksamni(ST36) combination on NAD PH-diaphorase, neuronal nitric oxide synthase(nNOS), neuropeptide Y(NPY) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) in the cerebral cortex of spontaneously hypertensive rat. Methods: The experimental groups were divided into four groups: Normal, Joksamni(ST36), Joksamni(ST36)+Eumneungcheon(SP9), and Joksamni(ST36)+Gokji(LI11). Needles were inserted into acupoints at the depth of 0.5cm with basic insertion method. Electroacupuncture was done under the condition of 2Hz electrical biphasic pulses with continuous rectangular wave lasting for 0.2ms until the muscles produced visible contractions. Such stimulation was applied continuously for 10 minutes, 1 time every 2 days for 10 sessions of treatments. Thereafter we evaluated changes in NADPH-d positive neurons histochemically and changes in nNOS, NPY and VIP positive neurons immunohistochemically. Results: The optical densities of NADPH-d positive neurons of the Joksamni(ST36)+Eumneungcheon(SP9) group in all areas of cerebral cortex and Joksamni(ST36)+Gokji(LI11) group in primary somatosensory cortex, visual cortex, auditory cortex, perirhinal cortex were significantly increased as compared to the Joksamni(ST36) group. The optical densities of NADPH-d positive neurons of the Joksamni(ST36)+Gokji(LI11) group were significantly decreased as compared to the Joksamni(ST36)+Eumneungcheon(SP9) group with the exception of primary somatosensory cortex. The optical densities of nNOS positive neurons of the Joksamni(ST36)+Eumneungcheon(SP9) group in all areas of cerebral cortex and Joksamni(ST36)+Gokji(LI11) group in auditory cortex, perirhinal cortex, insular cortex were significantly increased as compared to the Joksamni(ST36) group. The optical densities of nNOS positive neurons of the Joksamni(ST36)+Gokji(LI11) group were significantly decreased in all areas of cerebral cortex as compared to the Joksamni(ST36)+Eumneungcheon(SP9) group. The optical densities of NPY positive neurons of the Joksamni(ST36)+Gokji(LI11) group were significantly decreased in primary motor cortex, primary somatosensory cortex, cingulate cortex as compared to the Joksamni (ST36) and Joksamni(ST36)+Eumneungcheon(SP9) groups. The optical densities of VIP positive neurons of the Joksamni(ST36)+Eumneungcheon(SP9) group were significantly increased in all areas of cerebral cortex except for cingulate cortex as compared to the Joksamni(ST36) group. The optical densities of VIP positive neurons of the Joksamni(ST36)+Gokji(LI11) group were significantly decreased in auditory cortex, cingulate cortex, perirhinal cortex as compared to the Joksamni(ST36) group. The optical densities of VIP positive neurons of the Joksamni(ST36)+Gokji(LI11) group were significantly decreased in all areas of cerebral cortex as compared to the Joksamni(ST36)+Eumneungcheon(SP9) group. Conclusions: The result demonstrated that electroacupuncture on Joksamni(ST36) and its combination change the activities of the NO system and peptidergic system in the cerebral cortex of SHR and that acupoint combination is one of the important parameters for the effects.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.40 no.11
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• pp.1525-1531
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• 2011

Antioxidant activity and protective effects of extracts from Helianthus tuberosus L. leaves (HTL) on t-BHP-induced oxidative stress in human liver Chang cells were investigated. The total polyphenol and flavonoid content of the water and ethanolic extracts from HTL were 89.6${\pm}$1.96, 94${\pm}$2.03 mg gallic acid equivalent/g extract, and 65.1${\pm}$2.84, 54.6${\pm}$1.87 mg catechin equivalent/g extract, respectively. In addition, $IC_{50}$ values for 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrydrazyl (DPPH), alkyl, and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity of the water extracts were 0.010${\pm}$0.003 mg/mL, 0.014${\pm}$0.002 mg/mL, and 0.989${\pm}$0.003 mg/mL, respectively. Antioxidant activities of the extracts were also determined by ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), 2,2'-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging activity and reducing power. The HTL extracts showed a strongly inhibitory effect on lipid peroxidation by measuring ferric thiocyanate (FTC) and thiobarbituric acid (TBA) values. In an MTT assay on the Chang cells, the extracts showed a protective effect by increasing cell viability and decreasing ROS on t-BHP-induced oxidative stress in Chang cells. These results indicate that the HTL extracts possess an antioxidant activity.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.41 no.9
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• pp.1205-1210
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• 2012

This study investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of Ligustrum ovalifolium H. (LOH) leaf extracts on RAW264.7 macrophages. Cell toxicity was determined by MTT assay. We evaluated the anti-inflammatory effects of LOH extracts by measuring nitric oxide (NO), reactive oxygen species (ROS), inducible NOS (iNOS) production, and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression by Western blotting. LOH ethanolic extracts (0.05, 0.1, and 0.2 mg/mL) significantly suppressed LPS-stimulated production of NO. The intracellular ROS level also significantly decreased. LOH ethanolic extracts reduced the expression of iNOS and COX-2 proteins. The present results show that LOH ethanol extract has potent anti-inflammatory effects on RAW264.7 macrophages. These results also suggest that the anti-inflammatory effects of LOH extracts may be related to the inhibition of LPS-stimulated ROS and NO production. Therefore, ethanolic extracts of LOH leaves may be utilized as a good source of functional foods for protection against inflammatory diseases.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.193-203
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• 2015

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical effects of ascending kidney water and descending heart fire pharmacopuncture treatment for hot flush and sweating. Methods : Ascending kidney water and descending heart fire pharmacopuncture is achieved by injecting pharmacopuncture on a specific acupoint to change from the state of water-fire disharmony to harmonious state. Hwangryunhaedok-tang (黃連解毒湯) pharmacopuncture is injected on both side Gyeonjeong (GB ₂₁ ), Pungji (GB ₂₀ ). Total 0.4 cc was injected by 0.1 cc each point. BUM (Bear’s gall bladder, ox bezoar and musk) pharmacopuncture is injected on both side Jeonjung (CV ₁₇ ), Jungwan (CV ₁₂ ), Gihae (CV ₆ ). Total 0.15 cc was injected by 0.05 cc each point. Treatment was done daily. The method of evaluation are Hot Flush Score (HFS), VAS and sweating areas. Results : In case 1, after treatment hot flush score was reduced from 24 to 4 points. VAS scale was reduced from 7 to 2. It took about two weeks for the symptoms to decrease by half. Associated symptoms almost did not stay at discharge. In case 2, after treatment hot flush score was reduced from 28 to 2 points. VAS scale was reduced from 10 to 3. And emotional symptoms were reduced about 70%. In case 3, after treatment hot flush score was reduced from 8 to 1 points. VAS scale was reduced from 6 to 1. And headache and chest discomfort symptoms have disappeared. Conclusions : Ascending kidney water and descending heart fire pharmacopuncture treatment is effective for improve ascending kidney water and descending heart fire energy. Therefore, it will be used to alleviate hot flush and sweating.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.91-100
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• 2008

Background and Objectives : There are three kinds of formulas for purging the kidney to cure its sthenic syndrome based on the types of preparation formulas : Sashintang, Sashinhwan and Sashinsan. There are 4 kinds of Sashintang, 1 kind of Sashinhwan and 1 kind of Sashinsan. Combination of herbal medicines, carried out in formulas for purging the kidney, consists of various kinds depending on medical scientists' personal experience in medical treatment without any general principles, which makes it difficult to apply it to clinical use. The objectives of this study lie in theoretical establishment of Pyeongshintang for curing the sthenic syndrome of kidney through analyzing the component medicines and combination principles of Hyeongok's Pyeongshintang, and furthermore, maximizing the clinical use of Pyeongshintang. Methods : This study analyzed the component medicines and combination principles of Hyeongok's Pyeongshintang 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 Pyeongshintang is an odd prescription, composed of 7 kinds of ingredients : No.1 Rhizoma Alismatis (2don;7.5g), No.2 Poria (1don;3.75g), No.3 Radix Paeoniae Alba (1don), No.4 Fructus Chaenomelis (1don), No.5 Polyporus (1don), No.6 Cortex Cinnamomi (1don), and No.7 Radix Glycyrrhizae (1don) Results : There are three methods for curing the sthenic syndrome of kidney according to the five elements doctrine : purging the kidney, purging the liver and invigorating the spleen. First, if you suffer from the sthenic syndrome of the kidney, you need to purge your kidney. There are two available methods, including taste and property purgation according to the theory for properties and tastes of herbal medicines. They each imply the salty taste and the hot property purge the kidney. In the case of taste purgation, two herbal medicines with salty taste, Rhizoma Alismatis and Poria, are combined into the principal and assistant herbal medicine, respectively. For property purgation, two herbal medicines with the hot property, Polyporus and Cortex Cinnamomi, are combined into adjuvant herbal medicines. Secondly, if you suffer from the sthenic syndrome of the kidney, you need to purge your liver which is child in the mother-child relationship in inter-promotion among the five elements. There are two methods to purge the liver, including taste and property purgation according to the theory for properties and tastes of herbal medicines. They each mean the sour taste and the cool property purge the liver. Therefore, it is important to use sour herbal medicines for taste purgation and cool ones for property purgation. Both sour and cool herbal medicines, Radix Paeoniae Alba and Fructus Chaenomelis, are combined into adjuvant herbal medicines. Lastly, if you suffer from the sthenic syndrome of the kidney, you need to invigorate your spleen which is an element being surpassed in the relationship between the elements surpassed and ones not surpassed in inter-restraint among the five elements. There are two methods to invigorate the spleen, which include taste and property invigoration according to the theory for properties and tastes of herbal medicines. Taste invigoration means to invigorate the spleen with sweet taste and property invigoration to invigorate the spleen with warm property. Therefore, it is important to use sweet herbal medicines for taste invigoration and warm ones for property invigoration. Both sweet and warm herbal medicines, Polyporus and Cortex Cinnamomi, were combined to invigorate the spleen and purge the kidney. In addition, Radix Glycyrrhizae are combined as dispatcher herbal medicine, harmonizing all the herbal medicines composing the formula. Conclusions : First, to cure the sthenic syndrome of the kidney, the methods of purging the kidney and the liver, and invigorating the spleen 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 Pyeongshintang is combined according to the above theories. In conclusion, this formula was created by applying to the theory for properties and tastes of herbal medicines.