New Trends of Medicine Manifested at Naeuiwon in the Late Chosun Period

Kim, Jung Sun; Hwang, Sang Ik

Abstract

Tonifying method has been used to treat various types of deficiency syndrome in traditional Korean medicine. Tonifying medicinal including ginseng and deer horns is one of the various methods of the treatments, but they are recognized as a representative of traditional Korean remedies nowadays in Korea. That is concerned with the new trends of medicine manifested at Naeuiwon(Royal Infirmary) in the late Chosun period. The period that manifested the tonifying method obviously was the reign of King Youngjo(r.1724-1776). King Youngjo who lived longest among Chosun kings considered tonifying yang very important in keeping him healthy. He had taken a large quantity of ginseng, he and others considered the reason for his longevity as taking ginseng. From that time, the method of tonifying yang became one of the principles in health care and treatment as well. In the 19th century, the theory of tonifying method had been changed, in that tonifying yin was considered more important among Naeuiwon physicians. Tonifying yang alone was thought to be harmful because of its warm and dry nature. The main cause of prevalence of tonifying method in Naeuiwon was the fact that it was safe and had little side effects. The method of health care and treatments of the kings was considered as an ideal model by the ordinary people at that time. The new trends of medicine manifested at Naeuiwon in the late Chosun period had a strong influence on traditional Korean medicine, which emphasized the importance of tonifying method.