Unwelcome Summer Guest: Staying Safe from Food Poisoning 🤢

Author: Dr. Shin Jeong Won, Tong-In Clinic
Editor : Sia

Hello! It's great to meet you again.

I'm Shin Jeong Won, doctor at Tong-in Korean Medicine Clinic.😊

Already, daytime temperatures in Seoul often exceed 30 degrees Celsius.

How are you all coping with Korea's hot summer? 😂

Korean summers are notorious for being like a "steaming sauna ♨️," characterized by high temperatures and extremely high humidity.

In this hot and humid weather, it's easy for the body to feel sluggish, and food spoils quickly; therefore, we need to be mindful of our health management.

In this article, I’ll share how to prevent food poisoning and stay healthy during the summer by applying principles of Korean medicine. 🙂

🍱 Was It the Food? Signs of Food Poisoning

What is food poisoning? It's a sudden illness caused by eating food with harmful bacteria or toxins.

It occurs year-round but is more prevalent in the summer.

Food left out in hot, humid weather becomes a breeding ground for bacteria.👾

❗So, which foods are risky?

Cooked food left at room temperature for a long time
Undercooked meat, fish, or shellfish
Food contaminated by water or touched by hands
Expired products
improperly refrigerated food

In particular, raw fish, sushi, raw beef, kimbap, packed lunches, and cream-filled pastries can easily become sources of food poisoning if not stored properly in summer.

🤢 What are the symptoms of food poisoning?

Food poisoning symptoms often appear suddenly within hours to a day after eating.

Sudden abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting
Sometimes accompanied by body aches, headache, fever
Dehydration causing dizziness, dry mouth, reduced urination

In severe cases, one might have diarrhea over 10 times a day or be unable to drink even water.

💡 Key point: Food poisoning is highly likely when family or friends who ate together experience the same symptoms!

🌿 How does Korean Medicine view this?

In Korean medicine, food poisoning is referred to as 'tosa-gwakran(토사곽란).'

'Tosa' means 'vomiting and diarrhea,' and 'gwakran' means 'sudden and chaotic.'

This term perfectly captures the abrupt and intense symptoms that occur with food poisoning. 😂

Korean medicine explains the cause of food poisoning as 'seub-yun(습윤, damp-heat).'

‘Seub-yun’ refers to inflammation caused by external toxins, and it also describes a condition during hot and humid summers when moisture and heat build up in the body, leading to irritation in the digestive system.

Therefore, Korean medicine treatment for food poisoning focuses on eliminating this damp heat and soothing the stomach.

🌿 A representative Korean medicine for food poisoning: Bulhwangeum-jeongi-san

The crown jewel of Korean medicine treatment is, of course, herbal medicine.

Common herbal medicines used for food poisoning include Gwakhyang-jeongi-san(곽향정기산), Bulhwangeum-jeongi-san(불환금정기산), and Pyeongwi-san(평위산).

While the exact prescription depends on the patient's usual health condition and the results of abdominal, pulse, and tongue diagnosis.

This time, I'll introduce Bulhwangeum-jeongi-san(불환금정기산), which I often use when foreign patients get upset stomachs from Korean food.

Bulhwangeum (불환금) = "Not exchangeable for gold"
Jeongi-san (정기산) = "Corrects the energy (of the digestive system)"

This implies that it's a precious medicine for the digestive system, irreplaceable even with gold in urgent situations.

It is commonly used to relieve common summer discomforts such as stomach fullness, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, dysentery, and diarrhea.

This medicine also contains ingredients that help remove toxins and reduce inflammation by fighting bacteria in the intestines and soothing the digestive tract.

🌿 Soothing the stomach with moxibustion and acupuncture

It's not just about herbal medicinal treatment!

In Korean medicine clinics, we apply moxibustion to 'Joongwan' and 'Cheonchu' acupoints (remember these from last month's article as good pressure points for indigestion? 😊), or perform acupuncture on Hapgok, Naegwan, and Joksamni points (also introduced in).

These stimulations can increase blood flow to the abdominal organs, helping to restore their function, relieve abdominal pain and cramps, regulate intestinal movements, and strengthen the immune function of the intestinal lining.

✨ Prevention is the Top Priority!

No matter how advanced the treatment options are, the best outcome is to avoid food poisoning altogether.

Let me share some tips for preventing food poisoning during the summer season:

Cook and Consume Food the Same Day
Especially for kimbap, raw fish, raw meat, dairy products, and egg dishes, make sure to consume them on the same day they are prepared. Food left at room temperature for too long carries a high risk of food poisoning.
Thoroughly Wash Your Hands! W
ash your hands with soap and water for at least 30 seconds before and after meals, after going outdoors, and before and after handling food.
Separate Cutting Boards and Knives
Use separate cutting boards and knives for raw (uncooked meat, fish) and cooked foods. Disinfecting them with hot water after use is even better.
Cook Food Thoroughly
Ensure that meat, seafood, and other perishable items are heated to an internal temperature of 75°C (167°F) or higher. Chicken and egg dishes, in particular, must be cooked until the center is fully done.
Use Personal Dining Utensils
Shared water cups can be a potential source of bacterial infection.

🏥 When to Seek Medical Attention?

Severe diarrhea or vomiting lasting more than one day
Bloody diarrhea or fever above 38.5°C (101.3°F)
Severe dehydration, with little to no urine output
Early medical care is recommended for the elderly, pregnant women, and children

If you experience any of these symptoms, it's best to visit a nearby hospital immediately for a proper diagnosis and treatment.

💧 Home Remedies for Emergency Relief

No food—only liquid to stay hydrated
Sip water, electrolyte drinks, or barley tea frequently in small amounts
Avoid greasy, cold foods, dairy, and caffeine until symptoms improve

***

Traditional Korean medicine has long emphasized the importance of not consuming unboiled food and water during the summer, viewing bacteria as a source of 'impurity' (예), thereby highlighting the importance of hygiene.

While the hot and humid season can be unpleasant, following these health guidelines can help you look forward to a happy vacation and create wonderful summer memories.

I wish you all a wonderful and joyful summer in 2025!

Thank you, and I'll see you next time with more interesting stories.