• Journal of Korean Medical classics
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.89-128
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• 2023

Objectives : This study aims to diachronically examine the classification systems of all materia medica, followed by categorization and analysis of each category to deduce each category's characteristic. This will provide foundation for further examining classifications of bencao in contemporary herbology. Methods : Classification systems from a total of 93 bencao related texts were collected and categorized. Each category's classification system was analyzed to determine its meaning. The classification systems were compared from a diachronic perspective, to further deduce each system's problem from a historical context. Results : The classification systems of materia medica could be summarized as following three standards: quality, origin, and medical application. In reality, bencao could be generally classified according to origin and medical application. The origin-based classification system provided a stable and flexible classification outline in the expansion process of bencao. The medical application-based classification strengthened the relationship between bencao and illness pattern, improving clinical applicability. Conclusions : In the history of herbology, the two classification systems created the current of herbology through mutual contribution and conflict. We hope that further discussion on the direction towards which classification system of bencao in contemporary herbology should head will proceed based on this study.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.21-29
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• 2023

Objects : This study aimed to identify the origin species of Ulmi Cortex and Ulmi Semen Pasta. Methods : I searched for different types of 'Yu(楡)' from Zhong Xiu Zheng Huo Jing Shi Zheng Lei Bei Yong Ben Cao (重修政和經史證類備用本草) of the Song Dynasty, then compared the descriptions of Yu with real life species. Items that were inconsistent were sequentially deleted to finally find the original species that satisfies all conditions. Results : There were five types of Yu : Jiyu(地楡), Jayu(刺楡), Langyu(郞楡), Goyu(姑楡), and Baekyu(白楡). Jiyu was Sanguisorba officinalis or Sanguisorba officinalis var. longifolia which was a herb. Jayu was Hemiptelea davidii (Hance) Planch. which had thorns on its branches. Ulmus laciniata had leaves that split into three branches. Langyu was Ulmus parvifolia which beared fruit in the fall. For these reasons, the four items above were ruled out. The fruit of Goyu was Ulmi Semen Pasta, which was the largest among fruits and was therefore Ulmus macrocarpa. The fruit of Baekyu was Yuhyup(楡莢) and the ancient coin Yuhyupjeon(楡莢錢) was resembled Yuhyup. The normal pulse of the lung resembled the appearance of falling Yuhyup. The peel of Baekyu was Yubaekpi(楡白皮), and when it was removed from coarse bark, contained an abundance of white sap; the place where this sap overflowed on the stem bark was white, therefore Baekyu was identified as Ulmus pumila. Conclusions : From the results above, the origin species of Ulmi cortex was Ulmus pumila and the origin species of Ulmi Semen Pasta was Ulmus macrocarpa.

• Journal of the Korean Magnetics Society
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.144-148
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• 2013

Until the discovery of universal gravitation, a magnet had been considered to be a unique and magical stuff which exhibited an interacting force between two objects separated afar. Perhaps because of this belief, magnets were used widely as a medicinal stuff in East-Asia. In the present article, the records regarding the applications of a magnet for oriental medicine in written Korean history were surveyed. The records were categorized in terms of efficacy, prescription, and clinical case of taking-medicine. The records revealed that a magnet was used as an important component in the medicine for curing kidney filtering failure. Magnet was also prescribed to heal heart problems. Typical magnet-containing medicines included the SHINRYUKTANG, JIHWANGTANG, and INSAMBAEKHOTANG. Interestingly, it was revealed that some of the kings (Hyojong, Yungjo) in the era of Josun dynasty (1392-1910) believed the efficacy of the magnet-containing medicine and took it for curing their health problems.