King Seonjo ordered the creation of a practical medical text that could be understood by common people, not just scholars. After the king’s death, Heo Jun completed the work under the next monarch, Gwanghaegun. Unlike many dense Chinese medical texts, Dongui Bogam is organized for easy reference . It consists of 25 volumes divided into 5 major sections:
In 2009, UNESCO added it to its , recognizing its outstanding historical, cultural, and scientific value. 2. Who Wrote It? The text was written by Heo Jun (허준, 1539–1615) , a royal physician to King Seonjo and later Gwanghaegun. Heo Jun was unique for his time—he came from an illegitimate background but rose to become the most respected medical scholar in Korea. He was deeply influenced by both Chinese medicine and indigenous Korean healing practices. dongui bogam
1. What is Dongui Bogam? Dongui Bogam (동의보감), meaning "Mirror of Eastern Medicine," is one of the most famous and influential medical encyclopedias in East Asian history. Compiled in 1613 during Korea’s Joseon Dynasty, it remains a cornerstone of Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM) and is still used by practitioners today. King Seonjo ordered the creation of a practical
| Section | Focus | |---------|-------| | | Physiology and pathology of the viscera | | Oehyeong (External Body) | Diagnosis, pulse, face, body structure | | Japbyeong (Miscellaneous Diseases) | Symptoms and treatments for common illnesses | | Tang'aek (Herbal Formulas) | Medicinal decoctions and prescriptions | | Chimguro (Acupuncture & Moxibustion) | Needling and heat therapy points | It consists of 25 volumes divided into 5