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Author: Dr. Lee Seung Hwan, Tong-In Clinic
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Editor : Sia
Hello everyone! I'm Dr. Lee Seung Hwan, doctor of Tongin Korean Medicine Clinic.
Today, I invite you into the colorful world of Korean herbal medicine! (Not all Korean medicine is just black liquid.😂😂)
For those who enjoy historical dramas, there's a familiar scene: a criminal drinking sa-yak(Potion of Death) given by the king and collapsing while coughing up blood.
Because of this, many people think of Korean medicine as just "black liquid medicine."
But in reality, Korean herbal medicine is much more diverse!
Many of you might recognize the shiny, round, golden Gongjindan balls that have appeared in recent historical dramas like “Under The Queen's Umbrella.” Gongjindan, which can be eaten as a snack, looks appealing, but does it taste good, too?
Q. What is Korean herbal medicine, Han-yak?
According to South Korean pharmaceutical law, "Korean medicine (한약) refers to medicine processed according to Korean medical prescriptions using natural drugs combined based on Korean medical principles." Korean medicine doctors diagnose a patient's symptoms and constitution, then prescribe "Korean medicine" by combining appropriate medicinal ingredients.
The ingredients? They come from nature - plants (roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits, etc.), animals (deer antlers, antelope horns, insects, etc.), and even minerals.
The most well-known form of Korean medicine is the decoction (탕약).
However, it can also come in various sizes of herbal balls, powders, granules, capsules, syrups, and even as ointments or patches for external use. The forms keep evolving with technological advancements and changing demands!
Most types of Korean medicine are made under strict supervision in herbal pharmacies within Korean medicine clinics or shared herbal pharmacies. Some Korean medicines are also manufactured by pharmaceutical companies with GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) facilities.
Also, 'Herbal food products' sold in markets differ from 'medicinal herbal medicines' made in clinics! Herbal medicines have higher safety standards and maintain better quality.
Decoction (Tang-yak): Liquid medicine made by boiling high-quality medicinal ingredients
Decoctions (탕약) are made in the most traditional way. Medicinal herbs are boiled with water or alcohol, then the liquid is consumed while discarding the herbs. Depending on the ingredients, you can see various colors, from black to brown to yellow!
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Pros: Easy to customize for individuals by varying the types and amounts of herbs. Being liquid, it's quickly absorbed.
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Cons: Those unfamiliar with the taste and smell might find consuming difficult. 😢 Also, being liquid makes it heavy to carry around.
To address the weight issue, decoctions are sometimes concentrated into syrup-like forms!
Herbal balls (Hwan-yak): Round solids made by kneading powder
Herbal balls(환약) are made by grinding herbs into powder and kneading with honey or wheat paste. Some are made by concentrating decoctions and mixing them with powder (농축환).
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Pros: Light and portable. Less risk of damage when shipping overseas!
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Cons: May be slower-acting compared to decoctions.
Herbal balls range from small swallowable sizes to larger ones like Gongjindan. Larger ones are chewed rather than swallowed.
The taste of Gongjindan... well, first-timers might be surprised. It's sour and a bit peculiar. 😂 But it's expensive, so enjoy it fully. The longer the herbal aroma lingers in your mouth, the better the quality. I like it. Haha.
Properly made Gongjindan is so expensive that I only take it when I'm so tired and exhausted. 😉
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Tip: Is Gongjindan's golden color real gold? Surprisingly, yes, it's 24K gold! It's a very thin gold leaf wrapping the ball. Gold prevents oxidation and preserves the effects of volatile ingredients like musk and ox bezoar. It also helps reduce stress and promotes psychological stability.
Gyeongokgo (경옥고): An immunity-boosting medicine eaten with a spoon!
There's also a more viscous form of herbal medicine, eaten with a spoon — somewhere between pudding and yogurt in consistency — known as go (고). The most well-known example is Gyeongokgo, which is known for supporting respiratory and digestive health while boosting immunity.
There are also various other forms of herbal medicine!
▶Powders: From powders mixed with water to convenient granules!
Herbs are finely ground into powder for consumption. The powder is absorbed faster than herbal balls, but the light powder might make you sneeze when taking it! 😄 It's often mixed with water, and there are also granules that dissolve easily, like instant coffee.
While less potent than decoctions, granules are easier to store and transport and cheaper due to mass production. Some granules are even covered by health insurance.
▶External medicines: Try ointments and patches made from herbal medicine!
Have you heard of 자운고[Ja-un-go]? It's an herbal ointment used for various skin conditions. It's made by boiling herbs like gromwell and angelica root (which have anti-inflammatory effects) in unroasted sesame oil and adding beeswax.
You can also find patches for musculoskeletal issues enhanced with herbal ingredients. They help improve blood circulation, reduce swelling, and alleviate pain.
That’s not all — traditional herbal medicine has even found its way into anti-hair loss shampoos, made with medicinal ingredients that help prevent and treat hair loss. 🪮
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How did you find these various herbal medicine stories? While their forms, colors, tastes, and smells may differ, they have one thing in common.
When herbal medicine is accurately diagnosed and prescribed by a doctor, and properly taken by the patient, it will surely make you healthy and beautiful!
Don't worry, be healthy with Korean Medicine!
