Ssanghwa-tang for Seasonal Health

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After a long summer, when the seasons change and temperatures drop sharply, many people experience cold or body ache symptoms. Our bodies try to maintain homeostasis, but sudden temperature changes can weaken immunity, making us susceptible to illnesses like the common cold. Lately, many patients have been visiting us due to colds.

Today, I will talk about Ssanghwa-tang, which can protect your health during seasonal changes.

Ssanghwa-tang is characterized by its ability to harmoniously supplement the body’s Qi and blood. It is especially excellent at aiding recovery from accumulated fatigue. As more people experience extreme fatigue due to the fast pace of modern life and stress, the need for Ssanghwa-tang is growing even more.

When Qi and blood are damaged due to overwork, lack of sleep, or chronic fatigue, immunity can decrease, leading to colds or body aches. Ssanghwa-tang is very useful in preventing these conditions and restoring the body’s vitality. In Korean medicine, Ssanghwa-tang is believed to greatly help strengthen the function of internal organs and increase the body’s resistance by adjusting the imbalance of Qi and blood caused by fatigue.

Many people misunderstand Ssanghwa-tang as a cold medicine, but it is actually closer to a tonic. Ssanghwa-tang is effective for anemia or pale complexion, supplementing blood and strengthening weak Qi to harmonize Qi and blood. This harmony leads to various health benefits.

In addition to helping with fatigue recovery, it also contributes to improving liver function. It has anti-inflammatory effects, reducing inflammation and strengthening the immune system. Especially for those with cold hands and feet, it warms the body and extremities and aids Qi and blood circulation.

Furthermore, Ssanghwa-tang is good for fatigue recovery and helps improve poor condition due to overwork. Various medicinal herbs are blended in sufficient quantities, making it suitable for boosting immunity. When immunity increases, minor illnesses decrease, allowing one to escape frequent colds. It also has various other benefits such as pain relief, headache alleviation, and improved digestive disorders, making it a good herbal decoction for a home first-aid kit.

Ssanghwa-tang (雙和湯) is introduced in the Donguibogam (東醫寶鑑) as an important herbal medicine for treating fatigue and weak conditions in various situations. The Donguibogam explains that Ssanghwa-tang is used for “cases of both mental and physical fatigue (心力俱勞), cases where both Qi and blood are damaged (氣血皆傷), overwork after sexual activity (房室後勞役), sexual activity after overwork (勞役後犯房), weakened state after a major illness (大病後虛勞), and cases of spontaneous sweating due to deficient Qi (氣乏自汗).” As such, Ssanghwa-tang is effective not only for mental and physical fatigue but also for helping physical recovery.

The Donguibogam also records that Ssanghwa-tang can be used for “cases where the liver is damaged due to weakness (虛勞肝損), cases with no color in the face (面無血色), and cases of weakened muscles and dim vision (筋緩目暗).” Ssanghwa-tang is an herbal medicine that can be widely used when both body and mind are exhausted, and it has the effect of harmoniously supplementing Qi and blood to restore physical strength and strengthen immunity.

Composition of Medicinal Herbs Ssanghwa-tang is composed of various tonic herbs, each complementing the others and creating a synergistic effect to restore fatigue and strengthen immunity. – Hwanggi (黃芪): Boosts the body’s vital energy and strengthens immune function. – Dangwi (當歸): Promotes blood circulation and is especially beneficial for women’s health.

– Sukjihwang (熟地黃): Supplements blood and aids kidney function to boost immunity. – Cheongung (川芎): Helps blood circulation and alleviates headaches or dizziness. – Jakyak (芍藥): Relaxes muscles and relieves pain. – Gyeji (桂枝): Warms the body and promotes blood circulation. Ssanghwa-tang Effects Ssanghwa-tang is an excellent herbal medicine for invigorating the body and recovering from fatigue.

Ssanghwa-tang is often consumed with cold medicine, but it is actually an herbal medicine with various effects. It primarily acts on the liver to relax tense muscles and improve blood circulation, helping to relieve fatigue. Ssanghwa-tang is a representative herbal medicine that harmonizes both Qi and blood to aid fatigue recovery.

-Key Effects 1. Replenishes Qi and Blood: Harmoniously supplements Qi and blood to relieve fatigue and restore the body. 2. Boosts Immunity: Prevents colds and body aches, and aids recovery.

3. Promotes Blood Circulation: Effective for cold hands and feet or poor blood circulation. 4. Improves Liver Function: Prevents liver cell damage and promotes regeneration.

5. Anti-inflammatory Action: 5. Anti-inflammatory Action: Suppresses inflammation, which is beneficial for inflammatory conditions such as arthritis or muscle pain. Indications –Those suffering from chronic fatigue due to mental and physical overwork –Those with decreased physical strength and immunity after a cold or illness –Those with muscle pain from intense exercise –Those who are often tense, leading to stiff shoulders and neck –Those with severe menstrual pain due to uterine contractions It is even better to take it before bed.

Types of Ssanghwa-tang and Precautions When Purchasing Ssanghwa-tang is well-known as a traditional herbal medicine that helps with fatigue recovery and revitalization. However, when purchasing Ssanghwa-tang, caution is needed as there can be significant differences depending on its type, efficacy, and purchase method. It is especially important to clearly understand that purchasing online and purchasing at pharmacies and Korean medicine clinics have different implications.

Prohibition of Online Sales of Ssanghwa-tang and Its Alternatives Ssanghwa-tang, classified as an over-the-counter (OTC) drug, is prohibited from being sold online. Most Ssanghwa-tang products sold online are classified as extract beverages, not medicines. Therefore, when purchasing online, it is crucial to check if the product is explicitly labeled as an “over-the-counter drug.”

This is directly related to whether actual effects can be expected. Convenience Store VS Pharmacy Ssanghwa-tang Ssanghwa-tang sold at convenience stores is not approved by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS), so it cannot use the name “tang” and is considered an ordinary liquid tea. In contrast, Ssanghwa-tang sold at pharmacies is an MFDS-certified over-the-counter drug, fundamentally different from convenience store products. Pharmacy Ssanghwa-tang is mass-produced by pharmaceutical companies and may contain additives such as sodium citrate, citric acid, other fructose, and xanthan gum to extend its shelf life.

Ssanghwa-tang Prescribed at a Korean Medicine Clinic Ssanghwa-tang prescribed at a Korean medicine clinic contains no additives, thus better preserving the inherent efficacy of the medicinal herbs. For example, Sunyujae Korean Medicine Clinic’s Ssanghwa-tang is a prescription-only medicine directly prescribed by a Korean medicine doctor. While it has no additives and you can taste the natural sweetness of the herbs, it feels slightly less viscous compared to general commercial products due to less starch extract.

Over-the-Counter (OTC) vs. Prescription-Only Medicine (POM) The biggest difference in Ssanghwa-tang lies in whether it is a medicine or a mixed beverage, and whether it is a prescription-only medicine or an over-the-counter medicine. Ssanghwa-tang sold at pharmacies is an over-the-counter medicine, while Ssanghwa-tang prescribed at a Korean medicine clinic is strictly managed as a prescription-only medicine. Therefore, it is important to choose according to your health condition and the desired effects.

Precautions and Purchasing Tips for Ssanghwa-tang The efficacy and ingredients of Ssanghwa-tang can vary significantly depending on the place and form of purchase. Online purchase of over-the-counter Ssanghwa-tang is restricted, and Ssanghwa-tang sold at convenience stores, being a general liquid tea, may have reduced medicinal effects. The most reliable methods are to purchase an MFDS-certified product at a pharmacy or to take customized Ssanghwa-tang through a Korean medicine doctor’s prescription at a Korean medicine clinic.

Sunyujae Korean Medicine Clinic will always be a reliable partner for the healthy lives of those who visit us.

If you have any questions about Ssanghwa-tang, please add us as a friend on our Kakao Channel and feel free to inquire via KakaoTalk or phone. Sunyujae Korean Medicine Clinic in Dongcheon-dong pursues evidence-based medicine and integrative medicine.

This post was written directly by the medical staff of Sunyujae Korean Medicine Clinic to provide medical information, in compliance with Article 56(2) and Article 57(3) of the Medical Service Act. The duration and outcome of treatment may vary from person to person, so please consult a qualified practitioner before beginning treatment.