Korean Acupuncture (K-Acupuncture) [Part 2] Lee Je-ma’s Sasang Medicine

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Modern Korean Acupuncture (K-Acupuncture) [Part 2] Exploring the Blueprint of My Body: Lee Je-ma’s Sasang Medicine

Have you ever thought that there might be a health method uniquely suited to you?
Many people already experience that standardized health guidelines do not apply equally to everyone.

Sasang Medicine (Four-Types Medicine) begins exactly at this point.
It recognizes the limitation of standardized health models that ignore individual “uniqueness,” and instead presents “personalized health management” by understanding the innate blueprint of our body.

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1. Lee Je-ma and Donguisusebowon: A Synthesis of Philosophy and Medicine

Lee Je-ma (李濟馬, 1837–1900), a scholar and physician in the late Joseon dynasty, explored the deep relationship between human nature and health during a time of great turmoil.

His medical text, Donguisusebowon (東醫壽世保元), was not merely a manual on curing disease. It was the result of profound reflection, an attempt to include the Confucian scholar’s theory of human nature (Seongmyeongron, 性命論) within the framework of medicine.

While most medical texts of that era focused on “post-illness treatment”—intervening only after disease appeared—Lee Je-ma emphasized “Yangsaeng (養生),” the practice of maintaining health in daily life and mindset according to one’s constitution, even before illness arises.
This was a remarkable insight that anticipated modern preventive medicine.

Thus, Donguisusebowon is valued not only for its medical significance but also as a crucial resource for understanding the currents of Confucian thought in the late Joseon period.

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2. The Core Principle of Sasang Medicine: Functional Superiority and Inferiority of Organs

Lee Je-ma classified humans into four major constitutions:

• Taeyangin (太陽人)

• Soyangin (少陽人)

• Taeeumin (太陰人)

• Soeumin (少陰人)

He explained that for each type, the functional strength and weakness of the internal organs are inherently different.
In other words, some organs are innately stronger while others are weaker.

Constitutional Characteristics

• Taeyangin: The lung (肺) is the strongest organ, while the liver (肝) is the weakest.
  They often show outward features such as a large head and a developed neck and shoulders. Fatigue and digestive discomfort may occur due to weaker liver function.

• Soyangin: The spleen and stomach (脾胃) are the strongest, while the kidney (腎臟) is the weakest.
  They tend to be active and progressive in personality, but may experience inner heat and urinary system issues.

• Taeeumin: The liver (肝) is the strongest, while the lung (肺) is the weakest.
  They usually have a tall, robust body and tend to gain weight easily, but are vulnerable to liver-related disorders.

• Soeumin: The kidney (腎臟) is the strongest, while the spleen and stomach (脾胃) are the weakest.
  They are prone to weak digestion, indigestion, coldness, and diarrhea. Their upper body is weaker, lower body stronger, and they tend to have a careful and introverted character.

What is fascinating is that these functional differences of the organs are not limited to physiological phenomena, but also influence one’s psychological tendencies, stress responses, and even lifestyle habits.

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3. Extended Application of the Five Elements: Harmony of Body, Mind, and Universe

Lee Je-ma did not restrict Sasang Medicine merely to organ theory.
He actively applied the philosophy of the Five Elements (Wu Xing, 五行) from the I Ching to human life and consciousness.

• Seongmyeongron (性命論)
  → Explains the fundamental principles of human nature (性) and life (命) through the balance of “Fire-centered Five Elements.”
  → Describes how constitutional imbalances of the Five Elements shape one’s temperament and disposition.

• Sadanron (四端論)
  → Explains how the Four Beginnings (仁義禮智: benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom) emphasized in Confucianism manifest differently in each constitution through the balance of “Earth-centered Five Elements.”
  → For example, Soeumin, with strong kidney function, may excel in wisdom (智), but due to weaker spleen and stomach, may be passive in practical execution.

In this way, Sasang Medicine is not merely a system of treating illness.
It is a comprehensive medical framework that seeks to embrace human character, social roles, and even modes of existence.

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4. Prevention and Yangsaeng: Practical Directions for Health Management

The reason Donguisusebowon remains valuable today lies in its emphasis on the practical value of Yangsaeng.
While treatment after disease arises is important, true health is sustained by knowing one’s constitution and preventing illness beforehand.

• Dietary Guidelines
  For example, Soeumin, who are cold in constitution and have weak digestion, may find cold foods (e.g., pork, wheat) burdensome.
  By contrast, Soyangin, with more internal heat, may benefit from cooling foods (e.g., pork, cucumber) that help regulate body heat.
  Such constitutional dietary adjustments make significant differences in clinical outcomes.

• Lifestyle and Mental Attitude
  Exercise, rest, and stress management strategies should also be tailored to each constitution.
  This personalized approach is precisely the true path of Yangsaeng that Sasang Medicine envisions.

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Conclusion

Lee Je-ma’s Sasang Medicine is a system born from profound insight into human nature.
It helps us discover the “constitutional blueprint” inherent within each of us.

In the next part, we will extend this discussion to Dr. Kwon Do-won’s “Eight-Constitution Medicine,” which further refines and systematizes Sasang philosophy.
We will see how the four constitutions of Sasang were divided into eight types. Please stay tuned!

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📚 [Previous: Part 1 – From the Classics to the Modern Era]
👉 [Next: Part 3 - The Hidden Secret of Eight Bodies]

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