Abstract
Background : The human being and the bacteria have accomplished a balance and have coexisted each other during long time. Probiotics have evolved with the human host to exist and the result they have operated profitably to human host. So it requires that the functions of probiotics are expounded in view of Traditional Korean Medicine. Aim : Suggest the functions of probiotics in view of Traditional Korean Medicine. Method : The author's research has been performed to review the related references. Results : Probiotics assist the absorption of the lactose, proteins and minerals and product several kinds of vitamins, organic acids. Probiotics suppresses the growth of noxious bacteria and the production of harmful substances or gases. They absorbed and discharge the bile acid, and thus help us maintain the optimal level of blood cholesterol concentration. They can reinforce the immune response of the mucous membrane and control the hypersensitivity immune reaction such as asthma, atopy on the other hand. Probiotics have right functions as above and so can be applied widely in treatment of various disease and symptom. Conclusion : Considering the functions of probiotics in view of Traditional Korean Medicine, they participate in our spleen-earth-system (digestion and synthesis) and liver-wood-system (regulation of digestion, metabolism, internal secretion etc.), assist the function of lung-metal system(respiration and regulation of water metabolism) and regulate wi-chi (reinforce/control immune system). Consequently, hereafter there would be a necessity of control a circumstance in treatment of various diseases under these categories that probiotics should be able to do their right functions inside the human body.
