The Meaning of Environmental Medicine in Korean Medicine

한의학(韓醫學)에서 환경의학(環境醫學)의 중요성에 관한 고찰

Environmental medicine has interest in the effect of natural environment on the human health. Nature is usually understoodas' sky(天)' and 'earth(地)' which implies the harmony of humankind and nature(天地相應). As can be shown above, environment concept is the basic in Korean Medicine which originate in "Huangdi's Internal Classic" as clear medical form. According to "Huangdi's Internal Classic" man ought to abide by the nurturing 'Tao(道)' which is the way of life. This can be explained as the principle of balance, specially of yin(陰) and yang(陽) as is represented by the transformation of the energies from the universe. Life through the four seasons is also referred in the classic upon when four different climates have some effect on people, and the regional effect on health is also written there. Under the strict modem view, the achievement of the classic in the field of environmental medicine may be treated as primitive, but it was induced through long-term observation, so that once was state-of-the-art result at that time. But to solve the intrinsic weak points in traditional environmental medicine and also to harmonize with modern science to contribute to national health, the way of modem research can be applied to traditional concept on environmental medicine. Natural scientific approach is to avoid superstition and incantation. Strict method approach is to enhance accuracy and reliance in clinical observation. Overall, predictability can help develop the effectiveness and efficiency of diagnosis, treatment, recurrence, and prevention in environmental disease with holy method of Korean Medicine.