Addressing Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: The Potential of Korean Herbal Medicine in Cleansing the Lung

In traditional Chinese and Korean medicine natural substances are considered to be like food—they harness the power of the immune system.

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Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, many individuals have experienced a decline in lung function following infection. Pyunkang-Hwan, a Korean traditional herbal product that focuses on lung cleansing, has recently gained popularity. Dr. Seo Hyo-seok, the developer of Pyunkang-Hwan, recently held a lecture in Canada, explaining how to enhance the body’s self-healing ability through lung cleansing and nurturing.

Wang Shanqing, a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and pulmonary fibrosis who attended the lecture, shared with a reporter from The Epoch Times that over a year ago, he experienced severe coughing, difficulty sleeping at night, fatigue, and occasional wheezing, to the point where he could not catch his breath. After taking ten bottles of Pyunkang-Hwan, his blood oxygen levels increased from 90 or 91 percent to around 96 percent, and his cough has significantly improved.

Wang Shanqing, a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and pulmonary fibrosis, stated that his blood oxygen levels have increased after taking Pyunkang-Hwan. New Tang Dynasty Television

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Pulmonary fibrosis is a condition where the lungs gradually harden and lose functionality after severe damage, leading to symptoms such as difficulty breathing, dry cough, fatigue, and pain. It can be caused by various factors, including pneumonia, autoimmune diseases, chemotherapy medication, exposure to pollutants like dust, and smoking.

Severe COVID-19 patients are also prone to developing pulmonary fibrosis. A study published in BMJ Journals, Thorax, found that among patients hospitalized due to COVID-19 from March to May 2020, 72 percent of those who underwent mechanical ventilation developed fibrotic-like patterns, while 20 percent of those who did not require mechanical ventilation also experienced similar patterns.

Steven Zhou, another COPD patient, and his wife attended the lecture. Mrs. Zhou explained that her husband had been a smoker for decades but quit smoking 7 or 8 years ago. In July of last year, he developed pneumonia, with fluid accumulated in his chest. While undergoing chest tube drainage in the hospital, his lung was punctured, almost costing him his life. After a three-month hospitalization, the pneumonia was somewhat under control, but after returning home, he needed to use supplemental oxygen whenever he walked, and his blood oxygen level was below 80 percent. At the beginning of this year, he started taking Pyunkang-Hwan, and after seven months, the chest fluid has basically been absorbed. He no longer requires oxygen when not engaging in physical activity.

Now, Mr. Zhou can walk to the conference hall from the hotel entrance on his own without needing supplemental oxygen, and his blood oxygen levels remain around 95 percent.

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Steven Zhou, a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and his wife. Mr. Zhou's condition has improved after taking Pyunkang-Hwan, and he no longer requires supplemental oxygen when walking. New Tang Dynasty Television

COPD is a collective term encompassing chronic bronchitis and emphysema. It arises from prolonged damage to the respiratory system, leading to blockages and narrowing, making it difficult for the lungs to breathe in air.

Research has found that the incidence of COPD increases with advancing age, and men have a higher incidence compared to women. Risk factors include smoking, among others. Globally, it is estimated that 10.3 percent of individuals aged 30 to 79 have COPD. In the Americas region, the estimated prevalence in the 30 to 79 age group is 6.8 percent.

Dr. Seo stated that if someone dies at a young age, it is usually due to cancer, stroke, or other cardiovascular diseases. However, as age increases, lung function declines, and the incidence of pulmonary diseases becomes higher. COPD and pulmonary fibrosis emerge as public enemies of an aging society.

The Inhibition Effect of Pyunkang-Hwan on Pulmonary Inflammation and Fibrosis

COPD, pulmonary fibrosis, and emphysema are generally considered incurable in modern medicine. However, from the perspective of traditional Korean medicine, clearing the lungs through the use of herbal medicine and enhancing the body’s self-healing ability can potentially restore lung function.

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Animal experiments have confirmed that the main components in Pyunkang-Hwan, which include six plant extracts, inhibit pulmonary fibrosis in rats with lung disease and can also improve tracheal and bronchial inflammation.

In one of the study experiments, rats were intratracheally administered the anti-cancer agent bleomycin, a drug commonly associated with severe lung conditions such as interstitial pneumonia and pulmonary fibrosis. After 28 days of bleomycin administration, the rats exhibited significant pulmonary fibrosis, characterized by collagen deposition and alveolar collapse. However, after taking Pyunkang-Hwan, the pulmonary fibrosis in the rats was noticeably less severe, and the lung cell membranes were protected from oxidative damage.

In the other experiment, rats developed bronchitis after inhaling the irritant gas sulfur dioxide. After taking Pyunkang-Hwan, the rats showed a reduction in mucous secretion from the tracheal epithelial cells, indicating a milder degree of inflammation. Sulfur dioxide is an air pollutant generated during coal combustion. The research findings suggest that Pyunkang-Hwan contributes to improving respiratory diseases induced by air pollution.

In both experiments, a control group receiving injectable dexamethasone, a corticosteroid, was included. When the rats were exposed to sulfur dioxide or bleomycin, the administration of corticosteroids also exhibited anti-inflammatory effects similar to those observed with Pyunkang-Hwan.

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However, corticosteroids, a type of anti-inflammatory drug, come with significant side effects. Research has found that short-term use of oral corticosteroids can increase the risk of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding, sepsis, and heart failure. The side effects of long-term corticosteroid use are even more pronounced and may include obesity, osteoporosis, diabetes, and other conditions.

Dr. Seo mentioned that while some Western medicines may produce rapid effects, they may not be the best for the human body. For instance, antibiotics can kill harmful bacteria, but they also eliminate beneficial bacteria. Corticosteroids, considered effective anti-inflammatory drugs in Western medicine, come with numerous side effects. Painkillers and sedatives, though used for symptom relief, often fall short of achieving therapeutic goals. As a result, people end up having to take these medications for a lifetime, and the side effects can lead to a gradual decline in the body’s immune system.

Regulating Immunity with Korean Herbal Medicine

On the other hand, traditional medicine uses medications that are different from Western drugs. Dr. Seo explained, “Traditional Chinese medicine and Korean medicine prescriptions consist of natural substances, much like food, which promote easy absorption and enhance overall health.”

The Pyunkang-Hwan contains over twenty types of botanical ingredients, including honeysuckle, Radix Adenophorae, Xanthii fructus, Rehmanniae Radix, and Selaginella Herba, as well as medicinal ingredients such as platycodon root, hyacinth bean, black gram, and dumasia, all known for their therapeutic properties.

Modern pharmacological studies have found that honeysuckle possesses notable anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties. It is employed in the treatment of pneumonia caused by bacterial and viral infections. Honeysuckle is also commonly used in the crafting of herbal teas—healthful beverages brewed from medicinal herbs.

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Radix Adenophorae is a medicinal herb commonly used in traditional Chinese and Korean medicine for treating respiratory system diseases. Research has found that its components possess immunomodulatory activity, capable of inhibiting tracheal inflammation.

Xanthii fructus can suppress allergies and is used to treat conditions like allergic rhinitis and tympanitis. While fresh fruit has slight toxicity, proper processing can eliminate the toxicity and enhance its efficacy.

Selaginella Herba is also a commonly used anti-inflammatory herb, containing active components known as bioflavonoids. These components not only inhibit allergies but also suppress the growth of lung cancer cells and have therapeutic effects on high blood sugar.

Rehmanniae Radix possesses anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, regulating immune function. It is commonly used in the treatment of various types of dermatitis and is also employed for managing various metabolic diseases, including hypertension and high blood sugar.

Alleviating Allergic Asthma with Pyunkang-Hwan

A study published in the journal Antioxidants in 2021 confirmed the immunomodulatory effects and improvement of allergic asthma by the components of Pyunkang-Hwan. The administration of Pyunkang-tang (a solution composed of the six plant extracts from Pyunkang-Hwan) inhibited airway inflammation and reduced mucus secretion in mice with asthma induced by exposure to allergens.

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The study revealed that Pyunkang-Hwan components significantly reduced allergy-related cytokine levels and inhibited eosinophil aggregation. During allergic reactions, eosinophils tend to aggregate and activate, releasing substances that can damage organ tissues and, in severe cases, lead to cardiopulmonary failure. Researchers believe that after taking Pyunkang-tang, the active components can act on the lungs through the bloodstream, influencing the secretion of cytokines by lung epithelial cells and alleviating allergic reactions.

Boosting Immunity by Nourishing the Lungs

In South Korea, practicing doctors can include Pyunkang-Hwan in their prescriptions. However, outside of Korea, Pyunkang-Hwan is classified as a health supplement. Dr. Seo explained the difference between medicinal food and Western medicine, highlighting that while modern medicine typically employs specific drugs to target particular diseases, Pyunkang Medicine’s philosophy involves harnessing the body’s immune system to address various diseases. Therefore, in addition to treating lung diseases, many patients suffering from rhinitis, asthma, and atopic dermatitis have reported relief by taking Pyunkang-Hwan.

Dr. Seo stated, “In reality, your own immune system is the most effective and renowned doctor—a gift from God. This approach revolves around using your own immune system to treat your diseases, instead of relying on Pyunkang-Hwan. This is a new concept, and I hope everyone understands that the Pyunkang-Hwan cannot cure any diseases—it simply helps to clean the lungs more thoroughly.”

In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the lungs are believed to be closely related to immune function. TCM refers to the body’s immune function as “Wei Qi,” and the proper functioning of Wei Qi relies on the activity of lung qi (the energy and function of the lungs). If lung qi is deficient, the circulation of Wei Qi may be compromised, leading to a weakened protective effect. This deficiency can manifest in symptoms such as aversion to wind, easy sweating, sensitivity to cold, and susceptibility to colds.

Dr. Seo mentioned that, in his experience, after about two months of taking Pyunkang-Hwan, the tonsils become healthier. The tonsils act as guardians of the respiratory system, similar to the gatekeepers of the lungs. After four months of taking Pyunkang-Hwan, the probiotics in the colon increase. Continuing the Pyunkang-Hwan regimen further helps in thoroughly cleansing the lungs.

According to the principles of traditional Chinese and Korean medicine, internal organs not only serve their anatomical functions but are also part of the body’s energy system. The lungs, large intestine, and skin are considered part of the same energy system. When the lungs are healthy, symptoms like itching, runny nose, sneezing, and nasal congestion disappear, and the skin takes on a tender and radiant appearance.

“When we breathe well and our breathing improves, the miracle of health will come. So what should we do if we wish to breathe fresh air? Just as we clean a cup when we want to drink clean water, we need to clean our lungs for fresh air. However, living in the modern world, our lungs have become polluted without us realizing it. By cleaning our lungs, countless viruses in our body will disappear,” explained Dr. Seo.

The Best Lung-Cleansing Activity: Mountain Climbing

In addition to taking herbal medicine, how should one maintain lung health in daily life? Dr. Seo suggests engaging in exercise in places with good air quality, with mountain climbing being the best exercise for the lungs. If conditions do not permit, outdoor running is also beneficial. In contrast, exercising indoors or in places with poor air quality does not offer the same lung-cleansing effect.

A study published in The Lancet in 2017 indicated that walking for two hours in Hyde Park in London led to an increase in lung function for both healthy individuals and those with COPD. However, after walking for two hours on Oxford Street, an area with severe air pollution, the improvement in cardiorespiratory function was less significant. For individuals with COPD, walking on the street was associated with a higher likelihood of coughing, producing sputum, and wheezing compared to walking in the park.

Dr. Seo emphasized that during exercise, it is essential to sweat and breathe heavily, but there is no need to push oneself to the point of experiencing difficulty breathing. Optimal exercise involves working out to a degree that allows for deep breathing. One can imagine the air entering the lungs, and circulating through the bloodstream while maintaining a relaxed mindset and a positive mood.

The Importance of a Balanced Diet

When it comes to diet, Dr. Seo emphasized that there are no dietary restrictions when taking Pyunkang-Hwan. As long as one eats in moderation, one can enjoy a wide range of foods. Restricting certain foods out of fear of worsening the condition may lead to nutritional imbalances.

Dr. Seo stressed that natural foods are beneficial to the human body, stating that “all-natural foods can help boost your immune system, especially root vegetables.”

Research has found that root vegetables such as parsnip, carrots, and beetroot are rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory bioactive compounds, capable of eliminating harmful free radicals in the body. They also provide a substantial amount of dietary fiber, thus promoting digestion.

White radish, also known as Daikon, is a vegetable readily available in the fall and winter seasons. According to TCM, it is considered especially beneficial for nurturing lung health during autumn. It is believed to improve conditions associated with lung atrophy—like COPD—while also offering expectorant and cough-suppressant properties.

Clinical trials have revealed that drinking beetroot juice can significantly lower blood pressure, protect vascular endothelium, and promote vascular health. Cardiovascular health is closely linked to lung health, and many individuals with chronic lung diseases often have hypertension.

Dr. Seo also advises reducing the consumption of fast foods that are rich in chemicals, as they are often produced for aesthetics or convenience, deviating from natural principles. Additionally, it is important to quit smoking and limit alcohol intake.