• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.24 no.spc1
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• pp.37-46
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• 2013

Objectives : The Hwabyung Research Center of The Korean Society Of Oriental Neuropsychiatry has attempted to develop the 'Clinical Guidelines for Hwabyung'. Methods : The Hwabyung Research Center constructed a committee of experts and advisory group. Relevant literature was collected and evaluated in order to find out effective Pharmacotherapy (Herbal medicine), acupuncture and moxibustion, and cupping of Hwabyung. Results : We found some evidences that proved the effectiveness of Pharmacotherapy (Herbal medicine), acupuncture and moxibustion, and cupping in the treatment of Hwabyung. 1) We recommend Pharmacotherapy (Herbal medicine), acupuncture and moxibustion, cupping, psychotherapy and management, other therapeutic approaches and education for Hwabyung. 2) Pharmacotherapy (Herbal medicine) should be determined according to the pattern identification of Korean medicine. Further, the prescription should be cost-effective, safe and have no side effects. Also, the interaction between Herbal and Western drugs should be considered carefully. 3) There are general acupuncture, scalp acupuncture, Pharmacopuncture, Sa-am acupuncture as well as acupuncture treatments for Hwabyung. 4) Moxibustion and cupping are useful, relieving various somatic symptoms of Hwabyung. Conclusions : Pharmacotherapy (Herbal medicine), Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Cupping for Hwabyung were studied. We hope that the 'Clinical Guidelines for the Treatment of Hwabyung' are helpful for oriental medical doctors and patients.

• 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
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.165-175
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• 2021

Background: Many herbal medications have been used to treat various liver diseases. But the concerns of herbal medicine induced liver injury also existed. In this respect, we would like to report several cases with imporved elevated liver aminotransferase after treating herbal medicine including Artemisia capillaris. Case Reports: We report four patients with elevated aminotransferase levels (ATLs), which indicate hepatocellular damages. After receiving herbal medicines therapy containing Artemisia capillaris as principal component (HMA), the patients' ATLs were improved. In the first case, the patient's ATLs decreased into normal range after administration of HMA, although they have not been improved with hepatotonics for a long period. In the second case, the patient's ATLs have been elevated after taking anticoagulants. The ATLs were improved with HMA without stopping anticoagulants. In the other two cases, the patients' ATLs were also improved after taking HMA. In addition, there were no changes of previous drugs for treating the corresponding underlying diseases and no adverse events during HMA applications. Result and Conclusion: The four patients received the herbal medicine containing Artemisia capillaris as principal component and showed improvement of ATLs. These cases suggest that HMA can be considered as alternative or complementary remedies to improve various liver diseases.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.64-71
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• 2017

In this study, we researched the effects of herbal medicine on anemia among 43 patients. Before being given prescriptions, these patients were examined for RBC count, hemoglobin, and hematocrits, which are important in evaluating improvements in anemia. After administering the herbal medicine over two weeks, we rechecked the RBC count, hemoglobin, and hematocrits on a secondary inspection. We compared the primary and secondary tests with respect to age, sex, diseases, the name of the herbal medicine, and the composition of the medicine. The results were as follows. In groups of five or more, the musculoskeletal pain disease group was more improved than the other disease groups on the secondary test. The digestive diseases group was worse than the other disease groups on the secondary test. In the composition of the prescription, herbs that enriched the blood (補血), invigorated the spleen (健脾), and nourished Eum (補陰) were used more than any other herbs for those whose status improved. Among patients who were partially normalized for the secondary test, this applied to men more than women, to patients in the pain group more than those in other disease groups, and to patients with cerebral hemorrhage more than stroke patients. Among patients who were partially normalized for the secondary test, the group taking tangyak herbal medication improved more than the other groups taking powder and pill herbal medications.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.30-45
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• 2021

Objectives: This study was performed to investigate the effects of pregnancy-related four herbal medicines (Samul-tang, Onkyung-tang, Chokyungjongok-tang and Moutan Radicis Cortex) on the endometrial and placental cells. Methods: In this study, we examined viability and decidualization of telomerase immortalized human endometrial stromal cell lines (T-HESCs) and viability and invasion ability of human first trimester trophoblast cell lines Sw.71 by four herbal medicines (Samul-tang, Onkyung-tang, Chokyungjongok-tang and Moutan Radicis Cortex) Results: In the study, we showed that Samul-tang, Onkyung-tang, Chokyungjongok-tang increased decidualization marker prolactin (PRL) and insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 1 (IGFBP1) in T-HESCs. Moutan Radicis Cortex decreased the mRNA level of PRL and IGFBP1, and the protein level of PRL and IGFBP1 had no significant effect. Moreover, four herbal medicines reduced invasion ability of Sw.71 cells. Conclusions: These results suggest that Samul-tang, Onkyung-tang, and Chokyungjongok-tang have beneficial effects on successful embryo implantation and pregnancy maintenance by increasing decidualization markers such as PRL and IGFBP1. Moutan Radicis Cortex reduces the mRNA levels of PRL and IGFBP1, which may adversely affect pregnancy. Further investigations are needed to elucidate the significance of the decreased invasive ability of Sw.71 cells induced by four herbal medications.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.82-90
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• 2024

Objectives: Nitric oxide is the most important mediator of penile erection after the onset of sexual excitement. It activates cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), increasing penile blood flow. Most pharmaceutical medications prevent enzyme phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE-5) from breaking down cGMP, thus keeping its level high. However, due to the adverse effects of pharmacological therapies, herbal drugs that improve sexual function have gained attention recently. This study aimed to investigate the combined effects of ginseng, Tribulus terrestris, and L-arginine amino acid on the sexual performance of individuals with erectile dysfunction (ED) using the 5-item version of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) questionnaire. Methods: Over three months, 98 men with erectile dysfunction were randomly assigned to receive either 500 mg of herbal supplements or placebo pills. Each herbal tablet contained 100 mg of protodioscin, 35 mg of ginsenosides, and 250 mg of L-arginine. Results: The results showed that the changes in the average scores of ILEF-5 within each group before and after the intervention indicated that all parameters related to the improvement of sexual function in patients with erectile dysfunction improved in the herbal treatment group (p < 0.001). The herbal group significantly improved IIEF-5 scores in nondiabetics (p < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference in the changes of IIEF-5 scores between the two intervention and control groups in diabetic patients. Conclusion: In conclusion, ginseng, Tribulus terrestris, and L-arginine have properties that increase energy and strengthen sexual function, making them suitable for patients with sexual disorders.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.876-884
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• 2016

Objective: To report a case of a patient with a psychosomatic disorder who complained of hyperventilation and was treated with oriental medical treatments and emotional freedom techniques (EFTs). Methods: The patient was diagnosed as having a psychosomatic disorder through an interview and several psychological tests, such as the house-tree-person (HTP) and the person in the rain (PITR) tests. We treated the patient with oriental medical treatments that included herbal medications, western medications, moxibustion, cupping, and EFT. Results: After the treatments, the clinical symptoms of the patient were improved. Conclusions: Oriental medical treatments and EFT may be effective treatments for psychosomatic disorders.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.70-75
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• 2004

1. Objectives The Purpose of this study was to evaluate whether use of Sasang -Bang with western medication may injury the liver and the kidney function. We clinically studied the change Liver function test and BUN/Cr in patients who were hospitalized in Hana oriental Medical center for more than 1 month. 2. Methods The subjects were 33 patients admitted in Hana Oriental Medical center. All patients had been checked Liver Function Test and BUN/Cr three times every 2 weeks. 3. Results Aspartate Aminotransferase(AST), Alanine Aminotransferase(ALT), Gamma-Glutamyl transferase(GGT), Total billirubin, BUN, Creatine didn't change, compared with previous 2 weeks and 4 weeks. 4. Conclusions This study suggests that even though there are few toxic Sasang-Bang, in general, herbal medications with western medications which are prescribed by oriental medicine doctors should be carefully administered not to hurt liver and kidney function.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.58-67
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• 2017

Objectives:This study was designed to report treatment by Sasang Constitutional Medicine to the patients with Major Neurocognitive Disorder(Dementia) from various causes. Methods:These two patients were diagnosed as Taeeumin and Soyangin according to the result of Sasang constitutional diagnosis, and treated by Sasang constitutional medications. The progress was evaluated with the Korean version of Mini-Mentel State Exam(KMMSE) and Global Disorientation Scale(GDS). Result:The symptoms like wandering, insomnia, cognitive disorder was improved in these patients. Also, KMMSE and GDS score were highly improved. the one patient was cured with Cheongsimyeonja-tang and and the other was cured with Jihwangbaekho-tang and Yanggyuksanhwa-tang. Conclusion:This cases show that Sasang constitutional herbal medications are an effective treatment for the patients with Major Neurocognitive Disorder.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.35-38
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• 2001

Dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) is a chronic disease of the skin marked by groups of watery, itch blisters. It is characterized by urticarial plaques and blisters on the elbows, buttocks, and knees, although other sites may also be involved. The ingestion of gluten (the proteins gliadin and prolamin contained in wheat, rye, oats, and barley) triggers an immune system reponse that deposits a substance, IgA (immonuglobin A), under the top layer of skin. IgA is present in affected as well as unaffected skin. DH is a hereditary autoimmune disease linked with celiac disease. Treatment for DH is twofold. (1) Remove the cause: gluten. (2) Suppress the skin response with drugs such as Dapsone or some other sulphones. The latter is the most common treatment used as it is rapidly relieves the itch. However there are some side effects associated with these medications and they need to be taken under medical monitoring with blood tests to detect side effects. Recently, we experienced a DH and that was successfully treated by the herbal medication and external therapy. The medications taken by the patient were yongdamsagantanggami and external therapy were gosam and gumunhwa. So we report this case with a bief review of the oriental medical and medical literatures.