Julie's blog

In spring, just as the frozen earth thaws and becomes damp, "Dampness" (濕) accumulates in our bodies, leading to related symptoms.

The desire to live a healthy and long life remains unchanged, from the time of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, who searched for the elixir of youth, to the present day.

We’ve explored the internal energy of spring and learned how to defend against external allergens. Today, in the final part of our series, we focus on a condition that plagues almost every modern individual: Dry Eye Syndrome. We will look beyond simple eye drops and discover how to restore moisture from the inside out.

Allergic conjunctivitis is a common spring ailment characterized by allergens like pollen and yellow dust reacting with the eyes. Beyond intense itching, it often presents with sneezing, redness, excessive tearing, and significant swelling. Many patients describe a gritty, "sand-in-the-eye" sensation accompanied by localized pain.

As the vibrant energy of spring begins to bloom, many of us find our eyes struggling with the seasonal shift. To help you navigate these challenges, I am starting a special 3-part series on "Springtime Eye Health & Eastern Wisdom."

These days, "well-being" is a word on everyone’s lips. While many associate it with expensive products, true well-being begins with the small, mindful choices we make in our daily diets. Authentic health comes from reflecting on your own habits and choosing what truly resonates with your unique physical constitution.

Gong Jin Dan (공진단, 拱辰丹, Gong Chen Dan) Gongjindan is one of the most widely recognized tonics among the public. According to historical texts, the Seui Deuk Hyo Bang (written by Wei Yilin위역림,危亦林 during the Yuan dynasty in China, 세의득효방, 세의득효방, 世醫得效方, Shi Yi De Xiao Fang) states that it strengthens the innate vital energy, promotes smooth circulation of qi, and harmonizes the five organs.

In an age overflowing with modern cafés, I’m reminded of the old teahouses where you’d warm your hands by the stove while waiting for someone you missed. Back then, you’d casually order a morning coffee with a raw egg floating on top, or a cup of Ssanghwa-cha. Ssanghwa-tang has already become common knowledge as a popular remedy for fatigue.

The skin, which has suffered from the heat and sunlight all summer, is easily and rapidly damaged as it transitions into autumn, with moisture easily evaporating due to the cold wind. The skin's function weakens, causing spots and freckles to deepen or the skin to lose elasticity, and as the climate changes, the skin becomes sensitive and fine wrinkles appear around the eyes and mouth.

The root of the grapevine, called Podogeun (grape root, 포도근), is also used as an herbal medicine. It was primarily utilized to stop nausea and hiccups, and it was also widely used as a diuretic. However, the Donguibogam adds a caution when discussing grapes, stating that eating too much can cause blurred vision. This appears to be because grapes are a fruit high in sugar, and excessive consumption could potentially lead to the onset of diabetes.

The appetite that surges in autumn often leads to binge eating (폭식) and excessive drinking (폭음). Binge eating and excessive drinking can trigger acute gastritis (급성 위염), which is sometimes referred to as 상식증(常食症, Ailment from constant/excessive eating) & 주상증 (酒傷症, Ailment from alcohol damage).

The natural affinity and adaptability of our body are beyond imagination. This capability applies unfailingly even to disease. It often happens that we suddenly feel numbness or a sensation like paralysis in our hands or feet, and this symptom is one of those cases.

Moxibustion is a powerful traditional East Asian method that stimulates the body’s natural energy using gentle, slow-burning heat.

Men and women are different. How traditional Korean medicine views men and women. There is likely no one who would disagree with this statement. But how exactly are they different? That is a question fewer people may feel confident answering. Asking why men and women are different is an even more difficult question—one that perhaps only philosophers might dare to answer.

The ideal indoor temperature for sleep is between 64 and 73 degrees Fahrenheit. When the temperature exceeds 75°F, it feels too warm, making it difficult to fall asleep. These days, nighttime temperatures often rise to 86°F, making it almost impossible to get a good night's sleep.

“Heat exhaustion (일사병, 日射病)” and “Heat stroke (열사병, 熱射病)” used to be common summer ailments, but they are rarely seen today. In contrast, the number of people suffering from “Air conditioner sickness (냉방병, 冷房病)” has been on the rise. This marks a shift from nature-induced illnesses to those brought on by artificial environments, highlighting a paradox where scientific progress turns nature on its head.

The early summer heat that has arrived is on the rise. It is not enough to make you sweat even if you sit still, but it is enough to cause stress and irritation. The best way to do this is to take a bath that not only washes away sweat and dirt but also relaxes your whole body. The commonly known bath is good, but what about other healthy bathing methods, such as cold-water friction or dry cloth friction?

The recent heatwave really makes you feel the intensity of summer. In this kind of heat, you should be especially careful about exposing your skin to the hot sun. If you are exposed to strong sunlight for a long time, your skin may become rough, and in severe cases, develop skin conditions.

Recently, as the daily temperature range has become more severe, the number of patients with colds has increased significantly. Although colds are a mild disease, they are the root of all diseases, so special attention should be paid to prevention and treatment.

No matter how small a flower is, it is still a flower. No matter how far away a flower is, it is still visible. You might think that flowering is simply a precursor to the propagation of a species, but flowers have a much greater meaning.