Korean Medicine. A Holistic Way to Health and Healing

98 Pages·2013·9.825 MB·english

by  Korea Foundation

korea essentials No. 14
K
2013 Series
o
r
e
Taekwondo a
n
Korean Medicine
Korean Dance
M
Korean Medicine
e
d
Hanbok
ic A holistic Way to health and healing
i
n
* Titles are subject to change. e
A
H
2010 Series o
lis
Practitioners of Korean traditional medicine say the tic
ultimate cause of disease is not so much the invasion of W
a
external elements but rather malfunctions in inherent bodily y
function. Since disease is considered to result from the to About the series
weakening of vital energy, the emphasis is placed on H
e The Korea Essentials series is a cooperative
2Ha0n1ge1ul |S Treadritioineasl Painting | The DMZ | Traditional Food bmoaoys tbine ga ttthreib buoteddy ’sto a bemiliotyt ioton adle sfetantde sa lgikaien jsot yd iosre assoer.r Iolwln eossr alth a pSeroojuelc tS ebleetcwtieoenn ttoh ef uKrnoirseha aFno uinntdeartnioatni oannadl
to other internal causes such as overwork and fluctuations n reader with insight and basic understanding
d
in the function of internal organs. Even diseases that appear H into the arts and culture of Korea.
to have external causes are ultimately seen as the products e The content of this series is based on the
a
of internal factors. If one’s ability to fend off sickness is lin material published in Koreana, the Korea
g Foundation’s full-color quarterly featuring in-
strong enough, then one will not get sick even if pathogens
depth coverage of various aspects of Korea’s
do enter the body. Thus, treatment focuses mainly on
Jeju Island | Museums & Galleries | Joseon’s Royal Heritage cultural themes.
bolstering the body’s vital energy.
Traditional Music
2012 Series
k
o
r
9,800 won / US$ 18.00 e
a
e
s
s
e
n
t
ia Cover photo Moxibustion and herbal medicinal ingredients
Korea’s Natural Wonders | Religion in Korea | Korean Ceramics ISBN 978-89-97639-39-7 l @Image Today
Korean Architecture ISBN 978-89-91913-70-7 (set) s
Cover Design Jung Hyun-young
Korean Medicine
A Holistic Way to Health and Healing
korea essentials No. 14
Korean Medicine: A Holistic Way to Health and Healing
Copyright © 2013 by The Korea Foundation
All Rights Reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means
without the written permission of the publisher.
Published in 2013 by Seoul Selection
B1 Korean Publishers Association Bldg., 105-2 Sagan-dong, Jongno-gu,
Seoul 110-190, Korea
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.seoulselection.com
ISBN: 978-89-97639-39-7 04080
ISBN: 978-89-91913-70-7 (set)
Printed in the Republic of Korea
Korean Medicine
A Holistic Way to Health and Healing
Contents
Introduction 6
Chapter 1
What Is Korean Traditional Medicine? 10
Origins and History | Differences from Western Medicine |
Korean, Chinese and Japanese Traditions in Medicine
Chapter 2
Basic Principles and Philosophies 26
Yin, Yang, and the Five Elements | The ‘Whole Body’ Concept |
Meridians, Energy, and Blood |
Internal Organs: The Five Viscera and Six Bowels
Chapter 3
Diagnosis: The Four Methods 40
Visual Examination | Listening/Smelling | Inquiry | Palpation
Chapter 4
Methods of Treatment 48
Acupuncture | Moxibustion | Herbal Medicine | Other Treatments
Chapter 5
Remedies for Common Conditions 68
Cold | Menopausal Syndrome | Headaches | Melancholy and Rage |
Chronic Fatigue | Conditions Related to Pregnancy, Childbirth, and
Postpartum Treatment | Hair Loss
Chapter 6
Korean Medicine Today and Tomorrow 80
New Trends | Modern Diagnostic Equipment |
Globalizing Korean Traditional Medicine
Appendix
Information 94
Delving Deeper
• Donguibogam: The World’s First Medical Text for Laypeople 16
• Sasang Medicine 24
• A Cure for Smoking? 54
• Herbal Ingredients 58
• Medicine Markets: Yangnyeongsi 65
• Steam Bidet Therapy 78
• International Experiences 90
6
Introduction
Korean traditional medicine* has long been an important part of
Korean culture. Many years before Western medicine arrived in the
country, it was used to cure and prevent diseases. Korean traditional
medicine went through a period of decline in attention and
importance after the arrival of Western medicine, but that has been
changing in recent years. More people around the world are
growingly aware of the limits of the Western approach and turning
to alternative forms of medicine. The U.S. alone has 50 colleges of
Oriental medicine, with more to be found in European countries.
Interest in acupuncture and herbal treatments is soaring, and as the
effectiveness of Korean traditional medicine gets more well known,
the numbers of foreigners flocking to clinics has steadily risen.
This book explores Korean traditional medicine in six chapters,
examining everything from its origins to present-day forms and
potential. In addition to its differences from Western medicine, the
basic principles used to understand the patient and diseases will be
looked at. Methods of diagnosis and treatment will also be
explored. Many know of acupuncture, moxibustion, and herbal
remedies, but there are also many other methods; cupping, chuna,
aromatherapy, and taping, to name just a few. The book also
examines how Korean traditional medicine can be applied to
specific conditions and situations, from the common cold to
menopausal symptoms, headaches, depression and anger
Korean medicine is the official English-language name for haneuihak as designated by
the Association of Korean Medicine and the Korean Medicine Hospitals’ Association. This
book uses the term “Korean traditional medicine” to avoid confusion with Western
medicine as practiced in Korea.
7
management, fatigue, pregnancy and childbirth, postpartum
treatment, and even hair loss. Finally, the last section will describe
how Korean traditional medicine is moving beyond Korea’s borders
to reach people all around the world. Interspersed with all of this
are brief sidebars on topics such as Donguibogam, a text known as
the bible of Korean traditional medicine; sasang (four physical
constitutions) medicine, an unique concept that sets the Korean
approach apart from other forms of Oriental medicine; the use of
acupuncture in the ear to help people quit smoking; steam bidet
therapy used to apply herbal treatment externally; Korea’s storied
herbal markets; and the most frequently used herbs.
The intent of this book is to help Korean traditional medicine
become more accessible to foreign readers and help people around
the world live a more healthy, disease-free life thanks to Korea’s
outstanding medical know-how.
8 Korean Medicine: A Holistic Way to Health and Healing
What Is Korean Traditional Medicine? 9
“The physician should not treat the disease
but the patient who is suffering from it.”
– Maimonides