The Modern Transition of Wuhwang-Cheongsimwon as a Popular Tranquilizer

Wuhwang-Cheongsimwon(牛黃淸心丸) is a Korean ‘Yak’ made of about 30 medicinal ingredients, including Wuhwang(a lump in a cow’s gallbladder caused by illness.) and ginseng, used for paralysis, epilepsy and convulsion.*1) 'Cheongsim(淸 心)' implies it is effective in lowering the heat in the heart and liver. The most common name is ‘Cheongsimhwan’ but to be exact, WuHuang-cheongsim‘hwan’ is an Chinese medicine while Wuhwang-chengsim‘won’ is Korean medicine, since the name was used in <Donguibogam>. The manufacturing methods of the two are also slightly different.

Wuhwang-Cheongsimwon is commonly used as a tranquilizer for tense moments such as important exams and interviews. Obtaining it is easy because it is an over-the-counter drug. According to the ‘IMS General Drug Sales Statistics’ from 2012 to 2016, sales of Wuhwang-Cheongsimwon ranked fourth in the overall general medicine market in 2016, showing a trend of growth every year.*2)

 

However, Cheongsimwon did not start out as such a medicine. The package box states that it is effective for disease such as high blood pressure, speech disorder, facial nerve paralysis, mental anxiety, nervousness et cetera. In other words, it cannot be regarded just as a simple tranquilizer. This can be a problem because even though Korean traditional Yak is from natural sources, it might be harmful to the body if taken incorrectly. Still, Cheongshimwon is perceived to be easier to access than the Western neurostabilizing drugs. This essay will examine how Cheongsimwon got such popularity in modern society.

 

In order to figure this out, we should first look at the characteristics of Cheongsimwon. We can learn perception of Cheongsimhwan in the past by looking at historical records. It was first recorded in <TaepyeongHyeMin Hwajegukbang> (1107), in which it is called as ‘WuHwang-chengsimwon’ or ‘Gukbang WuHwang-cheongsimwon’. It is said to treat symptoms such as ‘pung(風)’, stammering, heart-pounding, dizziness, sputum, and difficulty in controlling emotions. Cheongsimhwan's prescriptions are also recorded in books such as <Bojebonsabang> written by HeoSookmi in the mid-12th century Song Dynasty, <Dangyesimbup buyeo> published by BangGwang in 1536, and Gogumuigam published by GongSin during the Ming Dynasty. In <Bojebonsabang>, Cheongsimhwan is said to treat the heat in the chest caused by heat in the meridianm and is also used in treating thirst and nausea due to lingering fever. <Dangyesimbup>(1481) states that it has the effect of treating boils and sharp pains in the body. In the Ming Dynasty's <Dujin Seuisimbeop>, it says that Cheonsimhwan is also called as ‘Minssi-Wuhwang-hwan’ and it treats the heat of the heart and the confusion of the mind.

 

Later, Cheongsimhwan was introduced to Joseon and was accepted by medical books at that time, such as <Uibangyuchui>(1445), <Uirimchwalyo>(1635), <Donguibogam>(1610), <Unhaenapyak jungchibang>(1608), <Jejungshinpyeon>(1799), <Bangyakhappyeon>(1884). <Uirimchwalyo> cites <Dangyesimbup buyeo> and < Donguibogam> cites <Bojebonsabang> and <Gogumuigam> to explain Cheongsimhwan. In Donguibogam it is recorded in the "Pung" chapter and is said to be used when one becomes suddenly unconscious or mentally disturbed after a stroke. In Yi Jemma's <Donguisusaebowon>(1894), Cheongsimwon is said to treat ‘Taeeumin’ types who has severe phlegm, mental depression, and inability to keep his arms and legs properly.*3) According to Joseon dynasty’s sillok, in King Jungjong’s period, Cheongsiwon was regarded as a cure for seasonal epidemics.*4) In King Seonjo’s period, it was given to a person who had heart-throbbing, fever, and seizure.*5) There are many more articles on taking, or giving Cheongsimhwan in <TaejoSilok>, <YeongjoSilok>, <JeongjoSilok>, <GojongSilok>, <Ilseonglok>, and <SeungjeongwonIlgi>.*6)

 

The above documents show that Cheongsimhwan was widely used in Joseon. Traditionally, Cheongsimhwan was often used in situations of severe mental excitement, seizures, or paralysis, rather than general relaxationer of tension like nowadays. In other words, there had been a change in perception in terms of usage. What process did Cheongsimhwan go through for this change, and what was the cause?

 

First of all, we need to find out how general Korean Yak was incorporated into modern society. Korean medicine co-existed along with Western medicine, and this served as a background for Korean Yak to be widely spread afterwards. Then the pre-modern characteristics of Cheongsimwon had to be demolished, unless Cheongsimwon would not have fit as a ‘pharmaceutical’ in modern day’s strict regulations, but such issues were solved gradually. For example, since herbal medicines use natural plant products, securing uniformity of quality was a big problem. This was solved by having a regulated company prepare and distribute standardized and quality herbal medicines since May 1995. Also, Hanbang has been included in the National Medical Insurance since 1987, which means Hanuihak prescriptions using herb-extracts were also covered by the national insurance.7) Korean Yak and Hanbang got recognition by the government and were supported for active us, and the quality of the medicine was also managed.

 

Now the remaining question is, how did ‘Cheongshimwon’ become so popular among many other herbal medicines? Here's how it came to be sold as a modern pharmaceutical product. In 1925, Park Seongsu, who was a Hanuhak practitioner, founded the ‘Joseon Muyak’ company and in 1968, they started making ‘solpyo Wuhwang-Cheongsimwon’, the first commony-used Cheongsimwon. After that Cheongsimwon has been produced by various companies*8) The public became more interested in Cheongsimhwan as various companies came into market, and the market become bigger due to the people's interest in Cheongsimwon, like a reciprocal chain effect.

 

We can also focus on Cheongsimwon’s status before times of modernization. Park Jiwon’s YeolhaIlgi(1780) reveals the Qing Dynasty people's obsession on Cheongsimwon. As fake or low-grade Cheongsimhwan prevailed in China, real Cheongsimhwan was in short supply.*9) It was so popular in China that even unrealistic rumors about Cheongsimhwan’s magical powers spread throughout the country. Thus, when ambassadors came from Joseon, many Chinese approached to acquire Cheongsimwon. In <YeolhaIlgi>, Park Ji-won being deceived by an elderly Chinese woman and giving her Cheongsimwon.*10) This high status of Cheongsimwon may have contributed to it’s popularity in modern times. However, since 18th century is too far away from today, we cannot be sure if it has any meaningful correlation. In addition, since it is about China not Joseon, it may be inappropriate to explain the current popularization of Cheongsimwon in Korea. But still, we can at least treat this story as an indirect cause.

 

Next, let's look at the characteristics of modern society and it’s impact on Cheongsimwon. First, changes in materials have occurred, making Cheongsimwon safer and more ethical. The number of ingredients of vary in different books, but the key ingredient is Wuhwang and musk.*11) Because musk sparked controversy over animal rights, a substitute for musk called L-muscon is also used widely nowadays. Seogack(rhino’s horn) is also an important ingredient, but was banned by the World Organization for Animal Health. Therefore Buffalo horns are used these days. In addition, heavy metals such as Jusa and Seokhwang were also used, but because they contain mercury and arsenic, they aren’t used in medicine anymore.*12)

 

Secondly, the differences in materials lowered the preciousness of Cheongsimhwon. In 1762, when Jeongjo was sick, royal doctor BangTaeyeo made Cheongsimhwon for him. When King Yeongjo heard this he ordered to cut off Bang’s head. Luckily BangTaeyeo got help and saved his life, but this story shows that Cheongsimhwan was an strictly controlled drug.*13) But now the situation is very different from that of King Yeongjo. Combined with the nationalization of Korean Yak, the modern substitutes of materials made it possible to supply Cheongsimhwan at a lower price. The price is formed between 2,000won and 10000won depending on the pharmaceutical company and the quantity of Wuhwang.

 

Thirdly, the marketing&sales strategy is also noteworthy. The original Wuhwang-Cheongsimwon was sold as an spherical shaped pill, 2~3cm in diameter. It had to be chewed to swallow so the taste and the smell was strong, causing young people to dislike it. However, Kwangdong Pharmaceutical company entered the Cheongsimwon business in 1974 and released the ‘Wuhwang-Cheongsimwon suspension(form of liquid)’ in 1991, making it act fast and easy to drink. This caused young people to more willingly try Cheongsimwon. The fact that Kwangdong Pharmaceutical Co. was able to take over the Solpyo brand of Joseon Muyak also seems to be a positive result of Kwangdong Pharmaceutical’s marketing&sales strategy.*14)

 

To sum up, as seen in many historical records, the usage and recognition of Cheongsimwon was quite different from today's tranquilizer purpose. Cheongsimwon in the past had different uses, such as being used as a counter-measure for stroke or paralysis, and it was considered important and rare. In the Qing Dynasty, Cheongsimwon of Joseon was so popular that the ambassadors of Joseon took a few pills of Cheongsimwon with them. Due to this popularity, Cheongsimwon managed to maintain it’s position as a major Korean Yak. The fact that Cheongsimwon appeared in various royal history records shows the high status of Cheongsimwon.

 

In that way Cheongsimwon consolidated it’s position in the pre-modern era. In the modern age, Cheongsimwon became popularized by changed characteristics. First of all, materials such as musk have been replaced with safer and more ethical materials. This caused the price to be lower, only 2,000 to 10,000won, making it easy for anyone to get it. Also, the release of liquid-type drugs made it easier for young people to access Cheongsimwon. The fact that it treats serious diseases such as seizure, but is also cheap and convenient to drink, may have led to the expectation that Cheongsimhwan is an "neurostabilizer" that anyone can easily purchase and use.

 

As such, Cheongsimwon was able to make appropriate changes to adapt to modern times and the source of this change was in both the historical characteristics of Cheongsimhwan and the comprehensive social aspects of modern times.

---

annotation)

1)『표준국어대사전』 ‘우황청심원’

2)오영택‧오현묵‧김서우‧김원용‧손창규‧조정효, ｢우황청심원의 고문헌기록 및 실험적 연구결과 분석을 통 한 임상응용 확대의 필요성 고찰｣, 惠和醫學26.1, 대전대학교 한의학연구소, 2017, p.7.

3)최식, ｢淸心丸으로 읽은 燕行의 文化史｣, 민족문화55, 한국고전번역원, 2020, p.316.

4)『중종실록』 21년 6월 26일.

5)『선조실록』 32년 4월 17일. 

6)오영택‧오현묵‧김서우‧김원용‧손창규‧조정효, op.cit., pp.2-3.

7)홍남두, ｢한국의 과학기술 어디까지 왔나-한약의 현대화｣, 과학과기술6, 경희대 동서의학연구소, 1994, pp.22-23

8)김정남, ｢대한민국 민족을 위한 대중의약품 “솔표 우황청심원”｣, 마케팅41.9, 2007, p.83.

9)최식, op.cit., p.35

10)최식, op.cit., p.359.

11)오영택‧오현묵‧김서우‧김원용‧손창규‧조정효, op.cit., p.3.

12)한국낙농육우협회, ｢월간 낙농육우｣, 2007년 1월호.

13)하응백, ｢청나라서 뇌물로 사용된 조선의 명품 ‘우황청심환’｣, 이투데이, 2016.12.20, p.15.

14) 이순호, ｢광동제약 ‘솔표’ 되살렸다｣, 헬스조선, 2017.12.12, <http://health.chosun.com/ news/dailynews_view.jsp?mn_idx=217927>, 2020.11.19.

 

---

Bibliography

Article

강화정‧문병순,｢중풍의 치료에 있어 청열법에 대한 문헌적 고찰｣, 한국한의학연구원 논문집 2.1, 1996

김정남, ｢대한민국 민족을 위한 대중의약품 “솔표 우황청심원”｣, 마케팅41.9, 2007

김태준, ｢18세기 燕行使의 思考와 자각 : 『熱河日記』를 중심한 여행자 문학론｣, 明大論文集 11, 명지대학교, 1978

박성순, 남철현, ｢한국인의 한방의료이용에 대한 인식과 행태 요인 분석｣, 대한보건연구(구 대 한보건협회학술지)25, no.2 1999

오영택‧오현묵‧김서우‧김원용‧손창규‧조정효. ｢우황청심원의 고문헌기록 및 실험적 연구결과 분석을 통한 임상응용 확대의 필요성 고찰｣, 惠和醫學26.1, 대전대학교 한의학연구소, 2017

최식, ｢淸心丸으로 읽은 燕行의 文化史｣, 민족문화55, 한국고전번역원, 2020

하재철, ｢열하일기의 관광현상 연구｣, 경기대학교 관광경영학과 대학원 석사학위논문, 2009

홍남두, ｢한국의 과학기술 어디까지 왔나-한약의 현대화｣, 과학과기술6, 경희대 동서의학연 구소, 1994

안전보고서 편집부, ｢우황청심원의 안전 실태조사｣, 안전보고서3.3, 한국소비자원, 2003

 

Newspaper article

하응백, ｢청나라서 뇌물로 사용된 조선의 명품 ‘우황청심환｣, 이투데이, 2016.12.20

한국낙농육우협회, ｢월간 낙농육우｣, 2007년 1월호

이순호, ｢광동제약 ‘솔표’ 되살렸다｣, 헬스조선, 2017.12.12, <http://health.chosun.com/ news/dailynews_view.jsp?mn_idx=217927>, 2020.11.19.

 

Books

『중종실록』

『선조실록』

『표준국어대사전』

---

I'm posting in english cause.... this was originally an assignment at a class in college - class taught by an American professor, obviously,,,,

(wait was he american? maybe he was Australian. can't really remember)

 

I gueesssss I can write the description notes(like the one i'm writing right now) in korean,, but I just don't wanna.^^

 

Anyways

since I was majoring in korean history back then(I'm not now. Changed to business administration.)

it was a class about the history of korean medicine

 

quite fun, i remember it

but not as much deep

Aaand that's exactly why this posting's not so deep:)

yeah ok I'm just making an excuse for my shallow level of knowledge

 

Just hoping this will be useful for SOME people