The study on utilization of Hyangyak in 「Single-medicine prescription treatment of domestic herbs」 of 『Kwangjebikeup』 : Focusing on Ginseng

Objectives : In this study, we investigated Hyangyak in "Single-medicine prescription treatment of domestic herbs" of "Kwangjebikeup" and then conducted further studies focusing on ginseng as it is written in "Single-medicine prescription treatment of domestic herbs". Methods : Through a study of classical literature on Hyangyak and ginseng, information regarding the two was gathered and analyzed, with respect to both time and region. Results : All of the herbs in "Single-medicine prescription treatment of domestic herbs", the 4th volume of "Kwangjebikeup", are domestic herbs. Ginseng was a part of the flora of the Korean Peninsula from long ago and ginseng was cultivated from most of the peninsula. We confirmed cultivation of ginseng in Sungcheon, Pyungan-do and most areas of Hamgyeong-do through geography books such as "Geography Monograph of King Sejong". Because the natural environmental condition of the Korean Peninsula was conducive to growing wild ginseng, it was possible to cultivate ginseng. In the late Chosun period, cultivated ginseng was so prevalent that people would have been able to collect and use ginseng without great difficulty. In "Kwangjebikeup", ginseng shows superior efficacy in terms of first-aid. "Kwangjebikeup" contains practical herbal medicines that were based on obtainable ingredients. Conclusions : The purpose of publication of this book was to make medical knowledge available to general public in an easy-to-understand form. And through added clinical experiences of the author, we know that "Kwangjebikeup" played a role in settlement and spreading of foreign knowledge to civilians.