Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine (동의생리병리학회지)

The Physiological Society of Korean Medicine and The Society of Pathology in Korean Medicine (대한동의생리학회·한의병리학회)
권호 표지
DOI QR코드

DOI QR Code

Structural Significance of the Theory of Urine Formation in Donguibogam and Its Modern Reinterpretation

『동의보감(東醫寶鑑)』 소변원위론(小便原委論)의 구조적 의미와 현대적 재해석

  • Byoung-Soo Kim (Department of Physiology, College of Korean Medicine, Daejeon University)
  • 김병수 (대전대학교 한의과대학 생리학교실)
  • Received : 2026.01.31
  • Accepted : 2026.04.25
  • Published : 2026.04.25
Download PDF
⟨ Previous Next ⟩

Abstract

The Urinary Origin-Process Theory (Sobyŏn Wonwi Theory, 小便原委論) explains the origin and transformation of urine in traditional Korean medicine. This study aims to reconstruct its structural meaning based on Wang Andao's original discussion and reinterpret it in relation to modern physiology. A textual analysis was conducted focusing on Yijing Suhui Ji and its summarized form in Donguibogam. The original descriptions from Huangdi Neijing were comparatively examined, and a structural model of urinary physiology was derived and functionally compared with modern physiological mechanisms. Urinary physiology was reconstructed as a three-stage process: (1) fluid separation at the gastrointestinal level (Bibyeol), (2) systemic redistribution and transformation through circulation (Unhwa), and (3) storage-excretion transition at the bladder. Bibyeol and Unhwa were interpreted as distinct functional manifestations of Qihua occurring at different physiological stages. Functional correspondences were identified between these processes and modern mechanisms, including intestinal fluid regulation, renal filtration and reabsorption, and neural control of micturition. The Sobyŏn Wonwi Theory can be understood as a process-centered physiological model rather than a single-organ mechanism. This study demonstrates that traditional urinary theory provides a structural framework for understanding whole-body fluid regulation and offers a conceptual bridge between classical East Asian medicine and modern physiology.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

본 연구의 아이디어 발상에 많은 도움을 준 동원당한의원 김선호 원장님 (『선호 상한론』, 『선호 영추』의 저자)께 감사의 인사를 드립니다.

References

  1. Baek SY. Research on the Characteristics of Water inside the Human Body and Its Metabolism: On the Formation Mechanisms and Properties of Body Fluids, Blood, Sweat, Urine, and Essence. J Korean Oriental Med. 2003;24(3):130-7.
  2. Barrett KE, Barman SM, Brooks HL, Yuan JX-J. Gastrointestinal Physiology. 2nd ed. New York: McGraw-Hill; 2014.
  3. Fowler CJ, Griffiths D, de Groat WC. The neural control of micturition. Nat Rev Neurosci. 2008;9:453-66. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrn2401
  4. Guyton AC, Hall JE. Textbook of Medical Physiology. 14th ed. Philadelphia: Elsevier; 2021.
  5. Heo Jun. Donguibogam. Seoul: Beopinmunhwasa; 1999.
  6. Kim BS. Modern reinterpretation of Tongjo Sudo (通調水道) in Korean medicine. J Korean Med Physiol Pathol. 2024;38(5):179-86. https://doi.org/10.15188/kjopp.2024.10.38.5.179
  7. Kim SH. Seonho Yeongchu. Vol. 1. Daejeon: Jumin Publishing; 2003.
  8. Lee SM, Kim XX, Park XX, et al. Effect of Poria cocos on puromycin aminonucleoside-induced nephrotic syndrome in rats. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2014;2014:570420. https://doi.org/10.1155/ecam.v2014.1
  9. National Association of Korean Medicine Physiology Professors. Physiology of Korean Medicine. 3rd ed. Wonju: Uibang Publishing; 2024.
  10. Tang ZH. Xuezhenglun (Treatise on Blood Disorders). Shanghai: Lixing Publishing; 1992.
  11. Wang Andao (王履). Yijing Suhui Ji (醫經溯回集). Seoul: Uiseongdang; 1999.
  12. Wang Bing (王冰). Huangdi Neijing Suwen with Annotations. Daejeon: Jumin Publishing; 2003.
  13. Wang Hongtu (王洪圖), ed. Comprehensive Research on the Huangdi Neijing. Beijing: Beijing Publishing House;1999.
  14. Yang Dequan (楊德全), ed. Chinese Materia Medica. 4th ed. Beijing: People's Medical Publishing House; 2019.