Korean Herbal Formulation [Part 2] The Logic and Flow of the 58-Chapter Structure

Introduction: Understanding the Structure of Herbal Formulation

In the previous essay, The Dialectic and the Science of Harmony,
we explored the philosophical foundation of Korean Herbal Formulation —
its dialectical reasoning and scientific harmony.

Now, in Part 2, we present an overview of the entire 58-chapter series,
explaining the logical progression of each section and how they connect as one system.

Herbal Formulation is not merely the art of mixing medicinal ingredients.
It is a system of thought that reconstructs the order of nature, life, and the human body.
To understand its practice, we must first understand its structure.

Part 1: The Eight Principles — The Compass of the Body

The Eight Principles (八綱) are the foundation of diagnosis in Traditional Asian Medicine.
They classify the nature, location, and condition of disease through four complementary pairs:
Exterior–Interior (表裏), Cold–Heat (寒熱), Deficiency–Excess (虛實), Yin–Yang (陰陽).

This section offers an accessible explanation of these concepts from a clinical perspective,
guiding readers in how to “read the signals” of their own bodies.

Lesson 1: Inside or outside — where is the problem? (Exterior–Interior)
Lesson 2: Is my body hot or cold? (Cold–Heat)
Lesson 3: Do I lack energy, or is something in excess? (Deficiency–Excess)
Lesson 4: The beginning and the end of all things — health through Yin and Yang
Lesson 5: How to diagnose yourself — the order and practical tips of the Eight Principles

This part serves as the compass of all diagnosis,
forming the foundation for every formula and pattern that follows.

Part 2: External Invaders — The Six Pathogenic Factors

The human body constantly interacts with six external influences —
Wind (風), Cold (寒), Dampness (濕), Summer Heat (暑), Dryness (燥), and Fire (火) —
collectively called the Six Qi (六氣).

This part examines how these natural forces affect the body,
what symptoms they produce, and which classical formulas are used to restore balance.

Sub-Part 2.1: The ever-changing Wind (Wind Pathogen, 風邪)
Sub-Part 2.2: The chilling Cold (Cold Pathogen, 寒邪)
Sub-Part 2.3: The sticky Dampness (Damp Pathogen, 濕邪)
Sub-Part 2.4: The heat of summer (Summer Heat, 暑邪)
Sub-Part 2.5: The drying air (Dryness, 燥邪)
Sub-Part 2.6: The fire within (Fire, 火邪)

This section explores the collapse of harmony caused by external forces,
revealing the outward dimension of dialectical medicine —
the relationship between nature and human life.

Part 3: Diagnosis by Location — Exterior, Half-Exterior Half-Interior, and Interior

The location of illness determines the therapeutic direction.
By identifying whether the imbalance lies on the surface (Exterior),
within the body (Interior), or in between (Half-Exterior Half-Interior),
one can apply the proper diagnostic and formulaic approach.

Sub-Part 3.1: Exterior patterns (表證) — external syndromes and treatment formulas
Sub-Part 3.2: Half-Exterior Half-Interior patterns (半表半裏證) — alternating cold and heat, the Shaoyang stage

This part focuses on where disease resides,
clarifying the logic behind treatment selection and the movement of pathogenic energy.

Part 4: Deep Internal Diagnosis — Interior Patterns (裏證)

Interior Patterns concern the deepest levels of imbalance within the body —
the dynamics of Cold and Heat, Deficiency and Excess,
and the insufficiency or accumulation of vital substances such as Qi and Blood.

Sub-Part 4.1: Cold Interior (裏寒證) — lack of Yang and internal coldness
Sub-Part 4.2: Hot Interior (裏熱證) — internal heat and fire accumulation
Sub-Part 4.3: Deficient Interior (裏虛證) — deficiency of Qi and Blood
Sub-Part 4.4: Excess Interior (裏實證) — stagnation, phlegm, food accumulation, and blood stasis

This is the core of Herbal Formulation,
where the physician reads the “inner universe” of each individual and restores balance from within.

Part 5: Complex Patterns — Combined Exterior and Interior Conditions

In reality, illness rarely occurs in isolation.
Most conditions are combinations of internal and external factors,
where Cold and Heat, Deficiency and Excess, Yin and Yang coexist and interact.

This final part examines such complex and overlapping patterns —
known as Combined Exterior–Interior Syndromes (表裏兼證) —
through representative classical formulas that integrate multiple layers of treatment.

Lessons 54–58:
Wind–Cold–Damp with Internal Deficiency,
Wind–Heat with Internal Fire,
Mixed Qi–Blood Deficiency,
and other intricate syndromes treated with formulas such as Ohjeok-san, Duhuo-jisheng-tang, and Danggui-niantong-tang.

This part represents the integrative spirit of dialectical medicine,
where all principles converge in clinical practice.

The Logical Flow of the Entire Series

Basic Diagnosis → External Factors → Location of Disease → Deep Internal Analysis → Complex Integration

This five-part structure is not a simple classification system;
it follows the natural progression of disease and transformation.
Each chapter links the nature of medicinal substances, dialectical reasoning,
and clinical application,
revealing Herbal Formulation as a discipline that unites philosophy, science, and healing practice.

Conclusion

From this structural overview,
the following essays will dive deeper into each part —
citing classical texts, analyzing medicinal properties, and presenting clinical examples.

In the next post, [Part 3] The Eight Principles – Lesson 1: The World of Exterior and Interior,
we begin our exploration with the most fundamental question:
“How do we determine where the illness resides — on the surface or within?”

This marks the starting point of diagnostic reasoning in Korean Herbal Formulation.

📌 [Previous Episode]: Korean Herbal Formulation [Part 1] — The Dialectic and the Science of Harmony: Prologue
👉 Next Post: Korean Herbal Formulation [Part 3] Where Does the Illness Reside? — The World of Exterior (表) and Interior (裏)

Reference: DAOM LAc Hanok Lee, South Baylo University, Lecture of Herbal Formulation

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