A study on the classification system of herbology

This paper reviews the historic origin and traits of the classification system used in current Korean herbology textbooks. By reassessing its value, it proposes the most relevant path for future revisions and supplementations. Through an evaluation of the history of the modern style of classification in terms of its efficacy and statistic analysis of the distribution of individual herbs in each category, this paper shows how the classification systems of Korean herbology textbooks were influenced by contemporary Chinese herbology, particularly that of the Cheong [淸] Dynasty. An examination of the academic background, strengths and weaknesses of each classification system demonstrates the need for future research on classification systems to concentrate on resolving the following issues: how well the setting and composition of each classification system reflects reality, and how closely it is connected to related sciences such as etiology and pathogenesis, prescriptionology, and diagnosis.