이동원(李東垣)의 음화론(陰火論)에 대(對)한 연구(硏究)

A Study on Eum-Fire[陰火] Theory of Idongwon(李東垣)

As the representative medical scholar at the time of Geumwon(金元) Dynasty, Idongwon(李東垣) deepened and developed the meaning of the diseases on internal injuries. He also proposed the primordial Gi[原氣] and Eum-Fire[陰火] theory in the physiology and pathology. Idongwon(李東垣) defined the pathological metabolism of internal injuries as the hyperactivity against Eum-Fire[陰火] due to the lack of primordial Gi[原氣不足], and he suggested the deficiency of Gi[氣虛] in the Spleen and Stomach and the surge of seven modes of emotion as the causes of the Eum-Fire[陰火] hyperactivity. Additionally, he established the therapy principles of eliminating Heat with Sweet and Warm drug[溫熱藥] and raising yang and spreading fire[升陽散火] based upon the above mentioned pathological metabolism. The Eum-Fire[陰火] that was suggested by Idongwon(李東垣) indicates the Heat syndrome[熱證] developed by internal causes[內因], and the principle reason is the consumption of the Spleen and Stomach Therefore, it is important to recuperate the function of Spleen and Stomach in treating the disease symptoms caused by Eum-Fire[陰火], and the therapies of eliminating Heat with Sweet and Warm drug [溫熱藥] and raising yang and spreading fire[升陽散火] are the corresponding ones. However, since vital Essence could be lacked due to the consumption of Spleen and Stomach, the therapy of replenishing Eum has to be considered. Additionally, the damp removal therapeutic method also has to be considered since Damp could be stagnated by the loss of function in Spleen and Stomach. In other way, Eum-Fire[陰火] developed by the consumption of Spleen and Stomach is somewhat similar aspect to the premier Fire[相火] that is developed by the lack of Eum[陰虛]. But complications could be developed if therapies of enriching the Eum[滋陰] to suppress Fire and replenishing Eum[補陰] are mainly used to control the symptoms developed by the lack of Eum[陰虛]. Namely, the drugs used to replenish Eum[補陰] mostly have the heavy and turbid properties, which contrarily have the possibility to debilitate the functions of Spleen and Stomach by causing Dampness within a body. So, care must be made in their use.