• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.897-902
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• 2005

Internal deficiency of vital Qi is origination of cancer and root cause of its development from the viewpoint of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM). For about 40 years, China has developed a combined system of TCM and Western medical system in treatment of cancers, laying stress on the therapeutic principle of strengthening the body resistance and restoring normal functioning of the body to consolidate the constitution (Fu Zheng Pei Ben). According to the results of the latest clinical and experimental studies, Chinese medicine not only increases curative effectiveness, but also reduces the side effect caused by the toxic, radio and chemical treatment of cancer cases in the western medical system as well as various complications. Long-term taking Chinese herbal medicine prevents recurrence and metastasis of tumor, and heightens long-term curative effectiveness after western medical treatments. It also helps to relieve symptoms, improve the quality of life, and prolong life of terminal cancer patients who have already lost opportunities of western medical treatments. In addition, it can prevent and cure premonitory symptoms of cancer.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.67-73
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• 2014

Objectives : Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis(ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by a selective death of motor neuron, leading to respiratory insufficiency. The purpose of this study was to assess the long term respiratory management of ALS patient with respiratory failure. Methods : One ALS patient applying a non-invasive BIPAP ventilator as well as Korean medical treatment such as acupuncture, pharmacopuncture and herbal medicine was measured on $SpO_2$, $EtCO_2$, Vte(expiratorytidalvolume) for 2 years 7 months. Results : The $SpO_2$, $EtCO_2$ of ALS patient were maintained in the normal range for 2 years 7 months. The Vte of ALS patient also wasn't worse in this study. Conclusions : In this study, the long term respiration management, combined administration of Korean medical treatment and non-invasive BIPAP ventilator, could be effective in ALS patient with respiratory failure.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.1268-1277
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• 2019

Objective: The purpose of this study was to report the effectiveness of Korean medicine in the treatment of functional dyspepsia in a fibromyalgia patient with a history of long-term NSAIDs use. Methods: The patient was diagnosed as a Soeumin, one of the four constitution types in Korean medicine, and treated with herbal medicines such as Seungyangikgibuja-tang and Pyeongjinsunjeom-san. Acupuncture and moxibustion treatment were also performed. The severity of symptoms was assessed using the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) of epigastric pain, daily oral intake changes, the Korean Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (KGSRS), the Gastrointestinal Symptom Score (GIS), and the Functional Dyspepsia-Quality of Life (FD-QOL) score. Results: After treatment for 48 days, the severity of epigastric pain decreased from NRS 8 to NRS 0, and daily oral intake was increased. The KGSRS score decreased from 55 to 43, the GIS score was reduced from 18 to 10, and the FD-QOL score also decreased from 69 to 55. Conclusions: This study suggests that Korean medical treatment could be an effective option for treating functional dyspepsia in fibromyalgia patients with a history of long-term NSAIDs use.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.47-54
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• 2006

One of the main attractions of treatment with herbal medicine is its apparent lack of side effects compared with the drug therapies used in allopathic medicine. However, evidence from various countries suggest that Asian herbal medicine carry a significant risk of contamination with toxic heavy metals at levels that may seriously threaten health. The aims of this study were to analyze and compare concentrations of heavy metals in urine and hair from 184 patients taking herbal medicines in the form of decoctions and/or pills in comparison to 101 control subjects taking either Western or no medications. Levels of metal concentrations exceeding WHO reference values were observed in a number of hair and urine samples for all subjects. After adjusting for potential confounders, taking decoctions or pills was associated with higher levels of some metals (such as Cu, Pb in urine), as well a higher odds ratio of exceeding the upper limit of reference ranges for Pb, Hg in hair. In contrast, taking decoctions or pills was associated with lower levels of some metals (such as Cu in urine and Cd, Cu, Hg, Pb in hair), suggesting that some herbal medicines may have a chelating effect on heavy metals in the body. Overall, the results obtained in the study show a mixed picture and suggest that heavy metals contamination in herbs is sometimes present, but may also be counteracted by the potential for some herbal medicines to act as chelating agents. Further study must be followed to obtain more concrete evidence.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.115-124
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• 2020

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect and side effects of steroids on dermatitis and skin barrier through lipid metabolism. And to propose using Herbal medicine to suppress Steroid rebound and prevent side effects. Methods : We reviewed recent studies about the relationship between dermatitis, skin lipid, steroid, and herbal medicine through Google scholar. Results : In various inflammatory skin diseases, the corticosteroid is selected as the primary drug due to its strong anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effect. However, long-term use of steroids has a variety of side effects, especially lipid metabolism disruption, which aggravates skin barrier damage underlying various skin diseases and is more susceptible to inflammatory reactions. Conclusions : Herbal medicine is used as a comprehensive approach, and it can be used to reduce the frequency of steroid exposure by protecting against barrier damage by controlling anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and systemic/sebaceous lipid metabolism and stratum corneum protein differentiation.

• 대한상한금궤의학회지
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.53-65
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• 2016

Objective : The purpose of this paper is to report the improved contact dermatitis(CD) treated with the herbal medication based on Shanghanlun disease pattern identification diagnostic system. The level V steroid ointments were no use to the patient 3weeks before the treatment. Methods : In this case, the patient was diagnosed according to 'Disease Pattern Identification Diagnostic System based on Shanghanlun Provisions' and took Mahwang-tang for 36days since the final diagnosis was Taeyang-byung, number 46 provision. The photographs of patient's hands were taken to observe the process of the skin status and the discomfort from CD was measured with DLQI(Dermatologic Life Quality Index) and NRS(Numeric Rating Scale). Results : The DLQI score changed from 24 to 7 and NRS of itching changed form 8 to under 4. Conclusions : This case report shows that the herbal medication through the diagnostic system could be a remedy on CD, dealing with the skin status with no use of the level V steroid ointments. It is needed proving an alternative possibility of Korean Medicine, on other skin diseases, with later studies since there are many reports on the side-effects after some long-term steroid treatments.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.71-79
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• 2016

Objectives : To verify the equivalence between Atractylodis Rhizoma Alba herbal prescription(HP-ARA) and Atractylodis Rhizoma Alba herbal sub stance(HS-ARA). Methods : Safety tests by microbial regulation and heavy metal analysis (total heavy metal, Pb, As) and a stability test by long term shelf test for HP-ARA according to notification of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety were carried out. Then, multi component profile of HP-ARA and HS -ARA were analyzed by HPLC. Results : The safety and stability of HP-ARA confirmed by several tests. Correlation coefficient of equivalence of HP-ARA and ARA-HS showed 0.992. Conclusion : Based on this result of equivalence between HP-ARA and HS-ARA, HP-ARA can substitute HS-ARA used to make herbal medicines (herbal decoction, pills and powder).

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.182-188
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• 2016

Objective: This study was designed to assess the clinical effect of traditional Korean medicine on primary biliary cirrhosis.Method: We provided herbal medicine and acupuncture therapy to a 38-year-old male patient who complained about jaundice, itching, and fatigue. During a six-day hospital stay, we checked any changes in symptoms and conducted liver function tests (such as aspartate aminotransferase [AST], alanine aminotransferase [ALT], alkaline phosphatase [ALP], and gamma-glutamyl transferase [GGT], among others) to evaluate any improvement.Results: We observed that herbal medicine and acupuncture therapy appeared to decrease the symptoms of primary biliary cirrhosis. During each hospital stay, the symptoms and liver function test both showed improvement, especially in ALP.Conclusion: Based on the therapeutic results of the six-day hospital stay, we report improved primary biliary cirrhosis symptoms and a decreasing tendency in ALP and GGP levels following treatment with traditional Korean medicine.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.311-319
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• 2021

Objectives: The aim of this study is to present one case report on the treatment of psoriasis. Methods: We did retrospective study for one psoriasis patient who had been treated by herbal medicine and acupuncture for more than one year. The patient was treated with Bojungikgi-tang hap Gamisoyo-san, Yukmijihuang-tang hap Gamisoyo-san, Saengmaek-san hap Gamisoyo-san, Gamisoyo-san hap Samul-tang and Gamisoyo-san hap Yukmijihwang-tang. Evaluation was done by PASI score and pictures. Results: After the treatment, the patient showed improvements in PASI. PASI of the patient changed from 28.2 to 0. Conclusions: This study suggests the clinical use of Korean medical treatment in systemic psoriasis.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.93-106
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• 2021

This study aimed to analyze the use of Korean medicine treatments for alopecia in among clinical studies. We identified and analyzed 22 studies from Korean databases; Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System (OASIS), Science ON, Korean Studies Information Service System (KISS), and Research Information Sharing Service (RISS) and international database; PubMed. We analyzed the Korean medical treatment in each case and determined the tendency to use each intervention. We analyzed 1,464 patients from 22 selected studies. Herbal medicine, acupuncture, external medicine or products, pharmacopuncture, and phototherapy were used for alopecia treatment. The herbal medicines mainly used to treat alopecia were Gagam Cheongyoung-tang, Gagam Hwajung-hwan, and Yukmijihwang-tang·hwan. The acupoints primarily used were GV20, EX-HN1, GB5, KI3, PC6, ST36, GV22, and A-shi. The most commonly used pharmacopuncture therapies were Hwangryunhaedoktang (HH), Carthami Fructus (CF), Bee Venom (BV), and Hominis placenta (HP). The Korean medical treatment for alopecia improved the condition of patients. However, seven studies reported the occurrence of side effects such as pruritus, dazed, drowsiness, headache, pain, and diarrhea. This study shows the potential of Korean medicine for the treatment of alopecia. Further studies with a large sample size and long-term follow-up are warranted to establish the primary treatment guidelines and objective outcome measures for alopecia.