Hello, this is Dr. Hyocheong Chae, director of Sunyujae Korean Medicine Clinic in Dongcheon-dong, a place where good hearts reside.
Rehmannia (Ji-hwang, 地黃) is a widely used medicinal herb in Korean medicine, playing a crucial role in replenishing blood (hyeol) and essence (jeong). The root of Rehmannia, a perennial plant belonging to the figwort family (Scrophulariaceae), is used as a medicinal ingredient. Depending on the processing method, it is categorized into Saengji-hwang (raw Rehmannia, 生地黃), Geonji-hwang (dried Rehmannia, 乾地黃), and Sukji-hwang (prepared Rehmannia, 熟地黃), each with different efficacies.
Excellent Anti-aging Efficacy – Rehmannia Rehmannia is a precious medicinal herb that has been utilized in Korean medicine for a long time. It contains various physiologically active substances that positively influence the maintenance of human health. In particular, it possesses powerful antioxidant effects, helping to eliminate free radicals in the body, thereby contributing to anti-aging and health maintenance.
Free radicals cause cell damage and promote aging. Rehmannia’s rich antioxidant components suppress these, helping to delay skin aging and prevent the decline of organ function. Furthermore, it can improve dry skin by promoting smooth blood circulation and replenishing body fluids, thus aiding in maintaining healthy skin.
In addition, Rehmannia plays an important role in strengthening immunity. The main components contained in Rehmannia regulate inflammatory responses in the body and activate the immune system, effectively preventing various infectious diseases. It also helps maintain homeostasis in the body, making it a valuable medicinal herb during seasonal changes when immunity tends to weaken, or when there are concerns about immune function decline due to aging.
In Korean medicine, various prescriptions utilizing Rehmannia exist, and its efficacy is consistently being verified in recent research. Rehmannia is not merely a supplement but “an important medicinal herb that helps promote overall human health,” and it is crucial to understand its proper usage.
Rehmannia Varies by Processing Method Saengji-hwang (Raw Rehmannia, 生地黃): Reduces heat and replenishes body fluids Saengji-hwang uses the raw Rehmannia root as is. Its cold nature helps reduce body heat. It is excellent for antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, thirst-quenching, and detoxifying effects, often used for febrile diseases or hemorrhagic diseases (nosebleeds, hematuria, etc.).
Geonji-hwang (Dried Rehmannia, 乾地黃): Aids blood circulation and has hemostatic effects Geonji-hwang is processed by drying Saengji-hwang in the sun. Its neutral nature allows for comfortable use. It purifies the blood and has hemostatic effects that alleviate bleeding symptoms, making it effective in improving anemia or menorrhagia. Sukji-hwang (Prepared Rehmannia, 熟地黃): Replenishes blood and essence for energy recovery Sukji-hwang is processed by repeatedly steaming and drying Saengji-hwang,
Its warm nature makes it excellent for replenishing blood and essence. It alleviates symptoms of cold and painful lower back and knees, and is also effective in anti-aging and preventing hair loss. Furthermore, it is frequently used for women’s menstrual irregularities and postpartum recovery. Among Sukji-hwang, ‘Gujihwang (九地黃),’ which has been steamed and dried nine times, is considered to be of the highest quality.
Saengji-hwang – A medicinal herb that reduces heat and resolves blood stasis Saengji-hwang has a very cold nature, effective in reducing blood heat (hyeolyeol) and resolving blood stasis (eohyeol). 《Bencao Gangmu》: “If a patient is deficient and has a lot of heat, Saengji-hwang should be added.” 《Donguibogam》: “It resolves all heat, breaks up hardened blood and blood stasis, and promotes menstruation.” It is particularly effective for uterine bleeding (bungru), nosebleeds, and hematemesis, and drinking Saengji-hwang juice is recorded to help stop bleeding.
It was also used in trauma treatment; when an ankle was sprained, mixing Saengji-hwang juice with flour and applying it was effective in reducing bruising and swelling. However, Saengji-hwang can be burdensome for those with weak stomachs, and caution is needed as it may cause diarrhea in Soeumin individuals. Geonji-hwang – Intermediate nature between Saengji-hwang and Sukji-hwang Geonji-hwang is dried Saengji-hwang, which has a somewhat milder cold nature but still strong heat-reducing efficacy.
《Bencao Gangmu》: “It replenishes kidney water (sin-su) and true yin (jin-eum), removes dry skin, and eliminates various damp-heat conditions.” It is effective in alleviating symptoms of five-center vexing heat (osimbeonyeol), which causes hot flashes in the palms and soles. It has fewer side effects than Saengji-hwang, making it suitable for those who want to replenish blood without severe heat.
Sukji-hwang – Powerful blood-tonifying effect Sukji-hwang is a medicinal herb whose blood-tonifying efficacy is greatly enhanced through the Gujeunggupo (nine steamings and nine dryings) process of repeatedly steaming and drying Saengji-hwang. 《Hyangyakjipseongbang》: “When a deficient person uses a tonic, Sukji-hwang must be used!” 《Bencao Gangmu》: “Sukji-hwang replenishes the kidney (sin), so it should be used for those with blood deficiency.” 《Donguibogam》: “It replenishes blood, blackens beards and hair, fills the bone marrow, and strengthens bones and muscles.”
Sukji-hwang is used as a core medicinal herb in representative tonic prescriptions such as Yukmijihwang-hwan and Palmi-hwan. However, for those with weak digestion, it can cause indigestion or diarrhea when consumed. Therefore, it is sometimes processed by mixing it with wine containing Sha Ren (Amomum villosum) and steaming it to reduce digestive burden.
If you need more detailed information about Rehmannia, please contact Sunyujae Korean Medicine Clinic at any time. Sunyujae Korean Medicine Clinic in Dongcheon-dong pursues evidence-based integrated 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.
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