Eggplant

가지 (茄子) · Solanum melongena L.

Heat-clearing food herb Cold Sweet Spleen, Stomach, Large Intestine

NatureCold

TasteSweet

MeridiansSpleen, Stomach, Large Intestine

Part usedFruit

FamilySolanaceae

CategoryHeat-clearing food herb

Overview

Eggplant is a staple side-dish vegetable in Korea, and the Donguibogam records its use for cold-heat imbalance and a striking classical concern — "corpse-transmission taxation qi," an old term for chronic wasting illness thought to spread within a household.

In the Donguibogam

東醫
寶鑑

性寒, 味甘, 無毒. 主寒熱, 五藏勞, 及傳尸勞氣.

Source: Donguibogam, Tangaek-pyeon (Herbology volume)

TranslationIts nature is cold, its taste sweet, and it is non-toxic. It mainly treats cold-heat imbalance, taxation of the five viscera, and corpse-transmission taxation qi.

Traditional functions

Regulates cold-heat imbalance
Relieves general taxation of the viscera

Traditional applications

Cold-heat pattern discomfort
General fatigue-related taxation (classical use)

Traditional preparation

Cooked before eating (grilled, steamed, stir-fried); the root and dried stem/leaf are separately noted for external use on frostbite sores.

Cautions

Caution: The Donguibogam notes eggplant can stir up qi stagnation and trigger chronic conditions if eaten in excess; best used as an occasional vegetable rather than a daily medicinal. The Korea-native variety noted in the text as sweet but of little medicinal use. Consult a professional for concentrated use.

Frequently asked questions

What is "corpse-transmission taxation qi" mentioned for eggplant?

It is a classical term for a chronic wasting illness once believed to spread within a household — an old diagnostic concept rather than a modern medical condition, listed among eggplant's traditional uses.

Did the Donguibogam mention a Korean variety of eggplant?

Yes — it notes a variety from Korea (Silla) with a pale, slightly purple color and sweet taste, adding that it had spread throughout China but was considered of little medicinal benefit.

Sources

동의보감 탕액편 (원문) — 한문 원문 발췌 — 한의학고전DB 탕액편 대조 검증 완료 (DATA-001)
한의학고전DB (mediclassics.kr) — 국역 참조 후 자체 재서술 (LEGAL-001)

DonguiHub is an educational and informational platform about the history and tradition of Korean medicine. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional about health conditions and before using any herb.