• The Journal of Korean Medical History
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.117-126
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• 2021

Songjeol-tea is a prescription that mixes alcohol with some ingredients and Songjeol[松節], and appears only in the King-Yeongjo era throughout 『Seungjeongwon Ilgi』. King Yeongjo recognized that the Songjeol-tea was an excellent prescription for the treatment of leg diseases, and took it in various ways thanks to the title of "tea" by his officials and doctors. There were many internal conflicts as King Yeongjo taking a prescription in the form of alcohol in a situation where an official who violated it was punished after issuing prohibition of drinking alcohol, and recognized the Songjeol-tea as alcohol. The officials and doctors of King Yeongjo's reign rationalized the King's actions by creating a justification for taking the Songjeol-tea to treat the disease because the king's body was related to the safety of the state.