A Study on the Correlativity of Gochi(叩齒) with Dementia

고치법(叩齒法)과 치매(痴呆)의 상관관계에 관한 문헌적(文獻的) 고찰(考察)

1. The rapid increasing elderly population represents a significant increase in the population with dementia. So, studies on the method for the prevention of dementia are necessary. 2. In oriental medicine, the causes of dementia are based on the deficiency of Jeong(精;essence of the body), the lack of bone marrow, and abnormal brain function. Emotional stress, bad habits of lifestyle including eating habits are also responsible for dementia. They causes dementia by blocking the circulation of Gi(氣) such as Suseunghwagang(水升火降;ascending kidney water and descending heart fire) and suppressing the function of Danjeon(丹田; the hypogastric center). 3. Gochi(叩齒) is a sort of mastication that facilitate salivation and secretion of parotin, next step is swallowing saliva. These supplement Jeong(精) of the five viscera and the six entrails(五臟六腑), promote Suseunghwagang(水升火降), and advance the function of the hypogastric center (丹田) and activate the brain. 4. So this paper draw a conclusion that Gochi(叩齒) is negatively related to the causes of dementia and it will be useful in preventing dementia.