• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2019

Models of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) are still difficult to grasp from the view of a Western-cultural background. For proper integration into science and clinical research, it is vital to think "out of the box" of classical sciences. Modern sciences, such as quantum physics, system theory, and information theory offer new models, that reveal TCM as a method to process information. For this purpose, we apply concepts of information theory to propose a "Chinese black box model," that allows for a non-deterministic, bottom-up approach. Considering a patient as an undeterminable complex system, the process of getting information about an individual in Chinese diagnostics is compared to the input-process-output principle of information theory and quantum physics, which is further illustrated by Wheeler's "surprise 20 questions." In TCM, an observer uses a decision-making algorithm to qualify diagnostic information by the binary polarities of "yang" (latin activity) and "yin" (latin structivity) according to the so called "8 principles" (latin 8 guiding criteria). A systematic reconstruction of ancient Chinese terms and concepts illuminates a scattered scientific method, which is specified in a medical context by Latin terminology of the sinologist Porkert [definitions of the Latin terms are presented in Porkert's appendix [1] (cf. Limitations)].

• The Journal of Korean Medical History
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2010

Ayurveda is one of the most historic and comprehensive medical system in the world. It was passed down as Buddhist medicine with Buddhism to influence enormously to East Asian medicine. Therefore, researches on Ayurveda is important in studying East Asian medicine as well as in studying Indian traditional medicine and althernative medicine. However, in previous studies, the term, 'Ayurveda', was mistaken and misused frequently. Clarifying the relations between the definition of Ayurveda and Indian traditional medicine is essential in preventing future controversy. Therefore, such relations were studied to draw following conclusions. 1. 'Ayurveda' is the term determining the oldest medicine system in the world that originated in India. Reportedly, the first book about Ayurveda is "Agnivesha samhita", and the oldest existing book is "Charaka Samhita". No records were found on medine books named Ayurveda, and interpreting Ayurveda to be a name of a book is explicitly misunderstanding. 2. There are various divisions of Indian traditional medicine in previous studies. However, divisions in 6 types of Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, Yoga, Naturopathy and Homoeopathy is the most proper. 3. Ayurveda gained some similarities as it exchanged with other medicine systems. However, since each medicine system has unique characteristics, they must be separately studied. Especially, current Indian traditional medicine system has many divisions. Terms of 'Indian traditional medicine' and 'Ayurveda' must be separately used.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.293-302
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• 2016

The use of folk medicine has been widely embraced in many developed countries under the name of traditional, complementary and alternative medicine (TCAM) and is now becoming the mainstream in the UK and the rest of Europe, as well as in North America and Australia. Diversity, easy accessibility, broad continuity, relatively low cost, base levels of technological inputs, fewer side effects, and growing economic importance are some of the positive features of folk medicine. In this framework, a critical need exists to introduce the practice of folk medicine into public healthcare if the goal of reformed access to healthcare facilities is to be achieved. The amount of information available to public health practitioners about traditional medicine concepts and the utilization of that information are inadequate and pose many problems for the delivery of primary healthcare globally. Different societies have evolved various forms of indigenous perceptions that are captured under the broad concept of folk medicine, e.g., Persian, Chinese, Grecian, and African folk medicines, which explain the lack of universally accepted definitions of terms. Thus, the exchange of information on the diverse forms of folk medicine needs to be facilitated. Various concepts of Wind are found in books on traditional medicine, and many of those go beyond the boundaries established in old manuscripts and are not easily understood. This study intends to provide information, context, and guidance for the collection of all important information on the different concepts of Wind and for their simplification. This new vision for understanding earlier Chinese medicine will benefit public health specialists, traditional and complementary medicine practitioners, and those who are interested in historical medicine by providing a theoretical basis for the traditional medicines and the acupuncture that is used to eliminate Wind in order to treat various diseases.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.93-101
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• 2014

Objective : The aim of this study is to analyze medicinal herbs, the ingredients of traditional Korean liquor, focusing on efficacy in the traditional Korean medicine. Through this study, for vitalizing traditional Korean liquor market, the researchers attempt to explain the superiority of traditional Korean liquor and the advantages of using herbs to brew alcoholic beverages. Method : We conducted a research targeting traditional Korean liquors in domestic market from July through september 2012, and finally 70 kinds of liquor were selected and analyzed. Results : Among traditional liquors, fermented liquors are most common. When comparing regions of brewery, the central region of Korea, Gyeonggi-do and Chungcheongnam-do, is major brew area. 37 liquors contain just one medicinal herb. followed 10 liquors contain two medicinal herbs. The most frequently used medicinal herb is Ginseng Radix. And Lycii Fructus, Schisandrae Fructus, Angelicae Gigantis Radix and Chrysanthemi Indici Flos are well used medicinal herbs to brew traditional liquors. In the classification of efficacy of medicinal herbs, tonifying and replenishing medicinal herbs are most popular as ingredients in the traditional alcohols, astringent medicinal herbs, exterior releasing medicinal herbs and heat clearing medicinal herbs are also frequently used. Investigation of tastes and properties of the herbs, it reached a conclusion as below: sweet taste is most common, followed by sour taste and bitter taste. Warm property is account for 50% approximately, followed by cold property. Conclusion : Medicinal herbs have been widely used in the traditional Korean liquor. It came out into the open that the liquor with medicinal herbs is very good for our body in terms of longevity and invigoration. However, liquor consumers concern about not only the efficacy but also the taste, scent and color. Therefore, further study about these things would be required to demonstrate the superiority of the traditional Korean liquor.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.151-161
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• 2021

Traditional Korean medicine (TKM) takes a holistic view that emphasizes the balance between the elements constituting the human body or between the human body and the external environment. To investigate the holistic properties of TKM, here we propose to apply the methodology of complexity science to the TKM research. Complexity science is a discipline for studying complex systems with interactions between components that raise the behaviour as a whole which can be more than the sum of their parts. We first provide an introduction to the complexity science and its research methods, particularly focusing on network science and data science approaches. Next, we briefly present the current status of TKM research employing these methods. Finally, we provide suggestions for future research elucidating the underlying mechanism of TKM, both in terms of biomedicine and humanities.

• CELLMED
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.11.1-11.5
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• 2015

Traditional East Asian Medicine (TEAM) prescriptions typically consist of several herbs based on the assumption that the herbs operate synergistically and/or cooperate on several related pathways simultaneously. This is a general concept that is widely accepted in TEAM, but it has not been tested systematically. To check this assumption statistically, we have text mined traditional Korean medicine text the Inje-ji(仁濟志, Collections of benevolent savings), a text that contains more than 5000 herb-cocktail prescriptions. We created herb-pairing network based on herb-herb pairing specificity and performed a systematic network analysis. Herbs were shown to be used selectively with other herbs and not randomly. Moreover, herb pairs were more specifically associated with symptoms than were single herbs. Single herbs and combinations of herbs specifically used for diabetes mellitus were successfully identified. As conclusion, herb-pairings in TEAM are not randomly constructed; instead, each herb was selectively used with other herbs. In terms of statistical significance, herb pairs were more specifically associated with symptoms than were single herbs alone. Collectively, these results suggest that it may be important to understand the interactions among multiple ingredients contained in herb pairs rather than trying to identify a single compound to resolve symptoms.

• Journal of Korean Medical classics
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.95-103
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• 2012

Objective : There are several terms on palpation such as cunkou(寸口), qikou(氣口), maikou(脈口). In traditional medicine dictionary or even WHO international standard terminologies on traditional medicine in the western pacific region, there are no discriminations about them. However, there are some differences in usages of cunkou, qikou, maikou at Maijing. Method : First, we searched usages of term, cunkou, qikou, maikou in Huangdineijing(黃帝內經) and Maijing and compared the meanings. Result : Meanings of cunkou, qikou, maikou in Huangdineijing are pair with renying(人迎) and inch-bar-cubit on wrist. Meanings of cunkou in Maijing are pair with renying, inch-bar-cubit on wrist and only inch on wrist. Meanings of qikou, maikou in Maijing are inch-bar-cubit on wrist. Conclusion : Cunkou, qikou, maikou are known as same terms. However, scholars have to be cautious when they use cunkou, qikou, maikou term and comprehend those in book.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.1-8
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• 2019

An outcome-based curriculum or competency-based curriculum is regarded to be one of the mainstream curricula to make students centered. It is believed to be able to support a flexible, time-independent curriculum. However, it is not easy for the curriculum developers to convert from the traditional curriculum to an competency-based curriculum. Traditional medicines including Sasang constitutional medicine(SCM) have been on the verge of transforming their curricula. Considering the contents of the clinical skills in terms of an outcome-based curriculum in SCM, at least five categories needs to be covered. First, curriculum developers need to consider the understanding of relevant diseases concerning SCM although SCM could be used as the method to treat all kinds of diseases. Second, curriculum developers facilitate the students to diagnose patients' SCM types. Third, curriculum developers conduct the establishment of competencies to understand the patterns of SCM symptomology. Fourth, curriculum developers develop the diverse treatment methods and procedures to make students participate. Fifth, curriculum developers make students teach and consult their patients in terms of SCM regimen. Development of the clinical skill contents in detail depends on the situation of each colleges. Competency-based medical curriculum in SCM could influence on the management of the curriculum quality.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.718-724
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• 2008

In order to classify diseases of oriental medicine in liaison with International Classification of Diseases, there should be intermediation and sharing concepts between the two in addition to proper classification. Classification units were settled for differentiation of diseases or syndromes first. And second, the standard forms of disease classification system were proposed. Third, this classification system was made of serial groupings of syndrome under the traditional disease name. Fourth, the location of disease and the interrelation between different syndromes were depicted with diagram in order to define more clearly. As the results and conclusion, The classification units were composed of 2 categories; topology, organ, meridian, somatic structure, body fluid units for description and various regulatory unit terms of western and traditional medicine for explanation. The mixed classification model of western diseases and traditional syndromes(證) was adopted as a fundamental classification system containing disease by exterior pathogen, systemic internal diseases, psychoneuronal diseases, metabolic diseases, diseases of sense organs, supportive structure diseases, obstetric-gynecology diseases, child diseases, 4-type constitutional diseases. And those were differentiated with generalized, localized, functional, oncogenic, environmental features in detail. The cause, site, condition, dispositions must be expressed in each disease name too. The types of diagnosis using classification system are principal and final diagnosis, principal procedure, main conditions, and these are applied to this Korean classification system equally. For more clarification of differentiation, a plane topological map and three dimensional coordinates were proposed to manifest the location, features and relation of disease itself or each other.

• Journal of Korean Medical classics
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.1-14
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• 2011

Background : Much Opinions of inefficiency to put the standard term of oriental medicine in and around literature into medical records. Purpose : Suggest an alternative according to analysis of differences between 'Term System' from in and around literature and term of medical records. Method : Research on the difference according to analysis of difference between producing term from in and around literature using DB Program and term from medical records. Result : The best System is that reflecting 'Korean Expression' of term of oriental medicine and part of term of western medicine and general.