Author
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Pemberton, Robert |
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Submitted to: Minilivestock
Publication Type: Book / Chapter Publication Acceptance Date: 10/20/2003 Publication Date: 12/20/2003 Citation: Pemberton, R.W. 2003. Contemporary use of insects and other arthropods in traditional korean medicine (hanbang) in south korea and beyond. Minilivestock. Interpretive Summary: Koreans utilize both contemporary modern medicine and traditional Korean medicine but the use of Korean traditional medicine. Plants are most common sources of drugs in traditional Korean medicine but many insects are also used. To determine the degree of insect use in contemporary Korean traditional medicine a survey of 20 traditional medicine clinic and traditional medicine doctors. Seventeen products were prescribed and the use of arthropod drugs was stable or increasing. Centipedes (Scolopendra spp.) used primarily to treat arthritis, and the silk moth fungus (Beauveria bassiana which infects silk moth larvae) used mostly to treat stroke, were the most frequently prescribed and medically important arthropod drugs. Most of the insect drugs are imported from China. Folk logic, which characteristics of the arthropod, suggests their use. For instance, centipedes which have many legs are used for leg and foot problems. Many of the used arthropods, however, have venoms and other defensive chemical that are biologically and possibly pharmaceutically active. Traditional Korean medicine has grown dramatically in the last 30 years, and has spread with Korean immigrants to United States and other countries where Koreans have settled such as Australia. Arthropod based medicine has being consumed by Koreans living overseas. This use is facilitated by internet marketing, primarily by Chinese mainland companies. Modern medicine might benefit from research into Korean medicinal insects, which are an unexplored and unexploited source of potential compounds that may yield new pharmaceutical products. Technical Abstract: Insects and other arthropods appeared in pharmacopeias of traditional Korean medicine, but little was known about their use in modern South Korea. Interviews were conducted with 20 traditional medicine doctors at clinics in South Korea's Kyeong Dong Shijang in Seoul (one of the world's largest traditional drug markets) in 1993 to learn about current patterns of usage. Seventeen products were prescribed and the use of arthropod drugs was stable or increasing. Centipedes (Scolopendra spp.) used primarily to treat arthritis, and the silk moth fungus (Beauveria bassiana which infects silk moth larvae) used mostly to treat stroke, were the most frequently prescribed and medically important arthropod drugs. Most of the arthropod drugs were traditionally collected or reared on the Korean Peninsula but are now imported, mainly from China. Folk logic appears to be the basis for some arthropod drugs use (i.e. centipedes, which have many legs, were used for leg problems). But many of the used arthropods have venoms and other defensive chemical that are biologically and probably pharmaceutically active. The Korean use of arthropods as drugs (as well as for food and enjoyment) is due, in part, to more positive attitudes towards these animals compared to many cultures. Traditional Korean medicine has grown dramatically in the last 30 years, and has spread with Korean immigrants to United States and other countries where Koreans have settled such as Australia. Arthropod based medicine has being consumed by Koreans living overseas. This use is facilitated by internet marketing, primarily by Chinese mainland companies. Terrestrial arthropods appear to be an unexplored and unexploited source of drugs for modern medicine. |
