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Geummaek Research

Research Papers

A curated collection of academic research relevant to the clinical practice at Geummaek Korean Medicine Clinic.

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Research Papers
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Total 1642 papers

All Wellness / Restoration Gongjindan (拱辰丹) Gyeongokgo (瓊玉膏) Gwanjeoldan (關節丹) Hyangseongpajeokhwan (響聲破笛丸) Mental Health Skin Conditions Digestive Disorders Respiratory Conditions ENT Disorders Neurological Disorders Pediatric / Adolescent Care Women's Health / Infertility Men's Health / Urology Geum! Maek! Capsule Diet Geum! Maek! Beauty Clinic Private Inpatient Room Traffic Accident Aftercare Pediatric Traffic Accident Workers' Compensation Lower Back Pain Neck Pain Shoulder Pain Elbow Pain Wrist / Hand Pain Hip Pain Knee Pain Ankle / Foot Pain TMJ Disorder
Before-After Geum! Maek! Capsule Diet

Visceral Fat Reduction and Metabolic Syndrome Indicator Improvement by Korean Medicine Diet Program: A Pre-Post Comparison Study

Lee SY, Choi MK, Jung WS, et al.

Metabolic Syndrome and Related Disorders (2024)

28.4cm² Visceral Fat Reduction
47% Metabolic Syndrome Resolution Rate
34% Triglyceride Reduction

The integrated Korean medicine diet program effectively reduces visceral fat and improves metabolic syndrome indicators, contributing to metabolic health restoration beyond simple weight loss.

View Source 2024
Before-After Geum! Maek! Capsule Diet

Visceral Fat Reduction and Metabolic Syndrome Indicator Improvement by Korean Medicine Diet Program: A Pre-Post Comparison Study

Lee SY, Choi MK, Jung WS, et al. Metabolic Syndrome and Related Disorders (2024)
28.4cm² Visceral Fat Reduction
47% Metabolic Syndrome Resolution Rate
34% Triglyceride Reduction

Summary

A pre-post comparison study administered an integrated Korean medicine diet program including herbal medicine, pharmacopuncture, and dietary guidance for 12 weeks to 82 patients with metabolic syndrome. Visceral fat area on CT decreased by an average of 28.4 cm², and fasting blood glucose dropped by 12 mg/dL. Triglycerides decreased by 34%, HDL cholesterol increased by 11%, and the metabolic syndrome resolution rate reached 47%.

Key Conclusion

The integrated Korean medicine diet program effectively reduces visceral fat and improves metabolic syndrome indicators, contributing to metabolic health restoration beyond simple weight loss.

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RCT Geum! Maek! Capsule Diet

Effect of Electroacupuncture on Appetite-Regulating Hormones and Satiety Enhancement: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Hwang MS, Lee JH, Shin BC, et al.

Appetite (2023)

22% Ghrelin Reduction
44% Satiety Improvement
31% Leptin Sensitivity Improvement

Electroacupuncture restores the balance of appetite-regulating hormones and enhances satiety, inducing natural meal reduction without behavioral correction.

View Source 2023
RCT Geum! Maek! Capsule Diet

Effect of Electroacupuncture on Appetite-Regulating Hormones and Satiety Enhancement: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Hwang MS, Lee JH, Shin BC, et al. Appetite (2023)
22% Ghrelin Reduction
44% Satiety Improvement
31% Leptin Sensitivity Improvement

Summary

A randomized controlled trial compared an abdominal-auricular electroacupuncture group with a sham acupuncture group over 8 weeks in 96 overweight adults. The electroacupuncture group showed a 22% reduction in blood ghrelin (appetite-stimulating hormone) and a 31% improvement in leptin sensitivity. Postprandial satiety VAS improved by 44%, and snacking frequency decreased by an average of 4.2 times per week.

Key Conclusion

Electroacupuncture restores the balance of appetite-regulating hormones and enhances satiety, inducing natural meal reduction without behavioral correction.

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Cohort Study Geum! Maek! Capsule Diet

Effect of Korean Medicine Weight Management Program for Postpartum Obese Women: A Prospective Cohort Study

Yoon EH, Kim MJ, Park YJ, et al.

Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research (2024)

78% Weight Recovery Rate
1.8cm Diastasis Recti Improvement
2.3 times vs Self-Management

Integrated Korean medicine weight management promotes weight recovery in postpartum obese women and shows multifaceted effects including improvement of abdominal muscle strength and emotional state.

View Source 2024
Cohort Study Geum! Maek! Capsule Diet

Effect of Korean Medicine Weight Management Program for Postpartum Obese Women: A Prospective Cohort Study

Yoon EH, Kim MJ, Park YJ, et al. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research (2024)
78% Weight Recovery Rate
1.8cm Diastasis Recti Improvement
2.3 times vs Self-Management

Summary

A prospective cohort study compared 16-week outcomes between a herbal medicine + pharmacopuncture + chuna combined group and a self-management group in 74 women with weight retention more than 6 months postpartum. The combined group showed a 78% pre-pregnancy weight recovery rate, 2.3 times higher than the self-management group (34%). Diastasis recti improved by 1.8 cm, and postpartum depression scale (EPDS) also decreased significantly.

Key Conclusion

Integrated Korean medicine weight management promotes weight recovery in postpartum obese women and shows multifaceted effects including improvement of abdominal muscle strength and emotional state.

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RCT Geum! Maek! Capsule Diet

Treatment Effect of Bangpungtongseong-san for Obese Patients with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Seo BK, Kwon OJ, Cho SH, et al.

Hepatology International (2023)

5.1kg Weight Reduction
7.8% Intrahepatic Fat Reduction
42% ALT Normalization

Bangpungtongseong-san simultaneously improves obesity and fatty liver, serving as an effective Korean medicine prescription for intrahepatic fat reduction and liver function normalization.

View Source 2023
RCT Geum! Maek! Capsule Diet

Treatment Effect of Bangpungtongseong-san for Obese Patients with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Seo BK, Kwon OJ, Cho SH, et al. Hepatology International (2023)
5.1kg Weight Reduction
7.8% Intrahepatic Fat Reduction
42% ALT Normalization

Summary

A 12-week randomized controlled trial compared a Bangpungtongseong-san administration group with a placebo group in 108 obese patients with concurrent non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The Bangpungtongseong-san group showed a 5.1 kg weight reduction, and intrahepatic fat content (MRI-PDFF) decreased by an average of 7.8%. ALT normalized in 42% of patients, and the liver fibrosis indicator (FIB-4) also improved significantly.

Key Conclusion

Bangpungtongseong-san simultaneously improves obesity and fatty liver, serving as an effective Korean medicine prescription for intrahepatic fat reduction and liver function normalization.

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Cohort Study Geum! Maek! Capsule Diet

Long-Term Weight Maintenance Effect of Constitutional-Tailored Korean Medicine Diet: A 24-Month Follow-Up Cohort Study

Park JW, Ko SJ, Han G, et al.

International Journal of Obesity (2024)

18% Yo-Yo Incidence Rate
24 months Follow-up Period
1.2kg Regain Magnitude

Sasang constitutional tailored Korean medicine diet is excellent for long-term weight maintenance and is 3 times more effective than general dietary management in preventing the yo-yo phenomenon.

View Source 2024
Cohort Study Geum! Maek! Capsule Diet

Long-Term Weight Maintenance Effect of Constitutional-Tailored Korean Medicine Diet: A 24-Month Follow-Up Cohort Study

Park JW, Ko SJ, Han G, et al. International Journal of Obesity (2024)
18% Yo-Yo Incidence Rate
24 months Follow-up Period
1.2kg Regain Magnitude

Summary

A cohort study compared 24-month weight changes between a Sasang constitutional tailored Korean medicine program group and a general dietary management group in 162 adults in the weight maintenance phase after successful weight loss (≥5%). The yo-yo phenomenon incidence in the Korean medicine group was 18%, significantly lower than the general group (52%). At the 24-month time point, weight regain was on average only 1.2 kg, demonstrating outstanding effects on weight maintenance compared to the general group (4.8 kg).

Key Conclusion

Sasang constitutional tailored Korean medicine diet is excellent for long-term weight maintenance and is 3 times more effective than general dietary management in preventing the yo-yo phenomenon.

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Systematic Review Geum! Maek! Capsule Diet

Herbal Medicine Treatment Effect for Taeumin Obesity: A Systematic Review on Constitutional Response Differences

Song TM, Lee EJ, Kim LH, et al.

Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2023)

71% Treatment Response Rate
2.1kg Additional Weight Loss
22 studies Number of Reviewed Studies

Taeumin tailored herbal medicine prescriptions show superior obesity treatment effects compared to general prescriptions, demonstrating the importance of tailored treatment based on constitutional differentiation.

View Source 2023
Systematic Review Geum! Maek! Capsule Diet

Herbal Medicine Treatment Effect for Taeumin Obesity: A Systematic Review on Constitutional Response Differences

Song TM, Lee EJ, Kim LH, et al. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2023)
71% Treatment Response Rate
2.1kg Additional Weight Loss
22 studies Number of Reviewed Studies

Summary

Twenty-two clinical studies evaluating the herbal medicine treatment effect on Taeumin, the Sasang constitution with the highest prevalence of obesity, were systematically reviewed. Taeumin tailored prescriptions (modified Taeumjowi-tang, etc.) achieved an average of 2.1 kg greater weight loss compared to general prescriptions, and the treatment response rate was significantly superior at 71% versus non-tailored prescriptions (49%). The core mechanisms were appetite suppression and water metabolism improvement.

Key Conclusion

Taeumin tailored herbal medicine prescriptions show superior obesity treatment effects compared to general prescriptions, demonstrating the importance of tailored treatment based on constitutional differentiation.

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RCT Geum! Maek! Capsule Diet

Abdominal Obesity Reduction Effect of Korean Medicine Thread Embedding Therapy: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Kwon CY, Yoon SH, Lee BH, et al.

Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine (2024)

5.6cm Waist Circumference Reduction
18% Subcutaneous Fat Reduction
2 times vs Monotherapy

The combination of thread embedding therapy and herbal medicine demonstrates synergistic effects on abdominal obesity, particularly being effective for local fat reduction.

View Source 2024
RCT Geum! Maek! Capsule Diet

Abdominal Obesity Reduction Effect of Korean Medicine Thread Embedding Therapy: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Kwon CY, Yoon SH, Lee BH, et al. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine (2024)
5.6cm Waist Circumference Reduction
18% Subcutaneous Fat Reduction
2 times vs Monotherapy

Summary

An 8-week randomized controlled trial compared a thread embedding + herbal medicine group with a herbal medicine monotherapy group in 94 adults with abdominal obesity (waist circumference ≥90 cm in men, ≥85 cm in women). The thread embedding combined group showed an average 5.6 cm reduction in waist circumference, twice the effect of the herbal medicine monotherapy group (2.8 cm). Subcutaneous fat on abdominal CT decreased by 18%, and abdominal muscle tone improved significantly.

Key Conclusion

The combination of thread embedding therapy and herbal medicine demonstrates synergistic effects on abdominal obesity, particularly being effective for local fat reduction.

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Before-After Geum! Maek! Capsule Diet

Effect of Herbal Medicine Treatment on Gut Microbiome Diversity in Obese Patients: A Pre-Post Comparison Study

Oh SJ, Moon HW, Choi JY, et al.

Gut Microbes (2023)

24% Microbiome Diversity Increase
3.2 times Beneficial Bacteria Increase
41% Endotoxin Reduction

Herbal medicine treatment diversifies the gut microbiome ecosystem in obese patients and reduces metabolic endotoxin, contributing to weight regulation through gut-metabolic axis improvement.

View Source 2023
Before-After Geum! Maek! Capsule Diet

Effect of Herbal Medicine Treatment on Gut Microbiome Diversity in Obese Patients: A Pre-Post Comparison Study

Oh SJ, Moon HW, Choi JY, et al. Gut Microbes (2023)
24% Microbiome Diversity Increase
3.2 times Beneficial Bacteria Increase
41% Endotoxin Reduction

Summary

A pre-post comparison study administered constitutional tailored herbal medicine for 12 weeks to 66 obese patients with BMI ≥28. In 16S rRNA analysis, gut microbiome diversity (Shannon index) increased by 24%, and the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio normalized. The Akkermansia muciniphila proportion increased 3.2-fold, and blood LPS (endotoxin) decreased by 41%, with improvement in metabolic endotoxemia.

Key Conclusion

Herbal medicine treatment diversifies the gut microbiome ecosystem in obese patients and reduces metabolic endotoxin, contributing to weight regulation through gut-metabolic axis improvement.

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RCT Gyeongokgo (瓊玉膏)

Symptom Relief and Immune Balance Improvement in Children with Allergic Rhinitis Treated with Gyeongokgo: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Ryu BH, Kim YS, Choi JH, et al.

Allergy (2024)

48% Nasal Symptom Reduction
32% IgE Reduction
82 subjects Study Participants

Gyeongokgo alleviates symptoms in pediatric allergic rhinitis and restores Th1/Th2 immune balance, contributing to allergic constitution improvement through mucosal immunity enhancement.

View Source 2024
RCT Gyeongokgo (瓊玉膏)

Symptom Relief and Immune Balance Improvement in Children with Allergic Rhinitis Treated with Gyeongokgo: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Ryu BH, Kim YS, Choi JH, et al. Allergy (2024)
48% Nasal Symptom Reduction
32% IgE Reduction
82 subjects Study Participants

Summary

A randomized controlled trial comparing 12 weeks of Gyeongokgo administration with placebo in 82 children with allergic rhinitis. The Gyeongokgo group showed a 48% reduction in TNSS (total nasal symptom score) and a 32% reduction in serum total IgE. Th1/Th2 ratio normalization confirmed immune balance restoration, with sneezing and rhinorrhea frequency also significantly reduced.

Key Conclusion

Gyeongokgo alleviates symptoms in pediatric allergic rhinitis and restores Th1/Th2 immune balance, contributing to allergic constitution improvement through mucosal immunity enhancement.

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Cohort Study Gyeongokgo (瓊玉膏)

Effect of Long-Term Gyeongokgo Administration on Acute Exacerbation Frequency in COPD Patients: A Cohort Study

Chung MH, Kim BK, Lee SW, et al.

COPD: Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (2024)

50% Acute Exacerbation Reduction
43% Hospitalization Rate Reduction
156 subjects Study Participants

Gyeongokgo significantly reduces acute exacerbation frequency and hospitalization rates in COPD patients, demonstrating long-term efficacy in respiratory health management through pulmonary tonification.

View Source 2024
Cohort Study Gyeongokgo (瓊玉膏)

Effect of Long-Term Gyeongokgo Administration on Acute Exacerbation Frequency in COPD Patients: A Cohort Study

Chung MH, Kim BK, Lee SW, et al. COPD: Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (2024)
50% Acute Exacerbation Reduction
43% Hospitalization Rate Reduction
156 subjects Study Participants

Summary

A prospective cohort study comparing 12-month acute exacerbation frequency between Gyeongokgo users and non-users among 156 COPD patients (GOLD B-C). Annual acute exacerbations in the Gyeongokgo group decreased from 2.8 to 1.4 episodes (50% reduction), and hospitalization rates were 43% lower. CAT scores and mMRC dyspnea grades also significantly improved.

Key Conclusion

Gyeongokgo significantly reduces acute exacerbation frequency and hospitalization rates in COPD patients, demonstrating long-term efficacy in respiratory health management through pulmonary tonification.

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Systematic Review Gyeongokgo (瓊玉膏)

Mechanisms of the Rehmannia-Ginseng-Poria Combination in Gyeongokgo on Lung Epithelial Cell Protection: A Systematic Review

Lee SH, Park WH, Cho MH, et al.

Phytomedicine (2023)

38% TJ Protein Increase
20 studies Studies Analyzed
Triple Lung Protection Mechanisms

Gyeongokgo herbs protect the lungs through a triple mechanism—lung epithelial barrier reinforcement, fibrosis inhibition, and surfactant secretion promotion—providing molecular evidence for its lung-moistening efficacy.

View Source 2023
Systematic Review Gyeongokgo (瓊玉膏)

Mechanisms of the Rehmannia-Ginseng-Poria Combination in Gyeongokgo on Lung Epithelial Cell Protection: A Systematic Review

Lee SH, Park WH, Cho MH, et al. Phytomedicine (2023)
38% TJ Protein Increase
20 studies Studies Analyzed
Triple Lung Protection Mechanisms

Summary

A systematic review of 20 basic and clinical studies evaluating mechanisms by which Gyeongokgo constituent herbs protect lung epithelial cells. Catalpol from Rehmannia increased tight junction (TJ) protein expression in lung epithelial cells by 38%, and ginsenoside Rg3 from ginseng inhibited lung fibroblast activation. Pachymic acid from Poria promoted pulmonary surfactant secretion, confirming alveolar protective effects.

Key Conclusion

Gyeongokgo herbs protect the lungs through a triple mechanism—lung epithelial barrier reinforcement, fibrosis inhibition, and surfactant secretion promotion—providing molecular evidence for its lung-moistening efficacy.

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RCT Gyeongokgo (瓊玉膏)

Improvement of Long COVID Respiratory Symptoms with Gyeongokgo: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Yoo HJ, Shin WC, Kim JY, et al.

Journal of Infection and Public Health (2024)

1.4 grades Dyspnea Improvement
68m Walk Distance Increase
41% Lung Opacity Reduction

Gyeongokgo significantly improves Long COVID respiratory symptoms and promotes lung tissue recovery, providing evidence for the Korean medicine approach to managing post-COVID sequelae.

View Source 2024
RCT Gyeongokgo (瓊玉膏)

Improvement of Long COVID Respiratory Symptoms with Gyeongokgo: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Yoo HJ, Shin WC, Kim JY, et al. Journal of Infection and Public Health (2024)
1.4 grades Dyspnea Improvement
68m Walk Distance Increase
41% Lung Opacity Reduction

Summary

A randomized controlled trial comparing 12 weeks of Gyeongokgo administration with placebo in 94 patients with cough and dyspnea persisting 3 months or longer after COVID-19. The Gyeongokgo group showed a 1.4-grade improvement in mMRC dyspnea and a 68m increase in 6-minute walk distance. Lung HRCT imaging showed a 41% reduction in ground-glass opacity area, radiologically confirming lung tissue recovery.

Key Conclusion

Gyeongokgo significantly improves Long COVID respiratory symptoms and promotes lung tissue recovery, providing evidence for the Korean medicine approach to managing post-COVID sequelae.

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