Korean Pine Nut
Overview
Pine nuts are one of the most recognizably Korean foods in the Tangaek-pyeon: the entry gives the Korean name "jat" and the folk note that the tree grows deep in the mountains, looks like a pine or cypress, and bears fruit like a melon seed — "peel it, remove the skin, and eat the seed." The recorded virtues are broad but gentle: it moistens the skin, enriches the five viscera and supplements weakness with shortness of breath, which fits a food that has long been served as a garnish on tea and porridge.
In the Donguibogam
寶鑑
Traditional uses recorded in the Donguibogam
- Moistens the skin
- Enriches the five viscera
- Supplements frailty and short breath
Traditional applications recorded in the classical text
- Everyday nut for dry skin and frailty
- Garnish for porridge and tea
- Weak, thin constitutions (classical use)
Traditional preparation
Shelled and eaten; used in porridge and as a garnish. The Donguibogam notes the tree grows deep in the mountains.
This describes traditional preparation recorded in the classics, not a recommendation for use today. DonguiHub does not provide dosage guidance — consult a qualified professional before using any herb.
Cautions
Frequently asked questions
Is the Donguibogam pine nut the same as the Korean "jat"?
Yes. The entry gives the Korean name jat and describes a tree growing deep in the mountains with fruit like a melon seed, which is shelled and eaten.
What does "enriches the five viscera" mean?
It is the classical phrase for building up the body's inner organs; the text pairs it with moistening the skin and supplementing frailty with shortness of breath.
Is this recommended for loose stools?
The entry does not say, but the seed is oily; people prone to loose stools traditionally take small amounts.
Sources
- 『동의보감』 탕액편, 허준, 1613 (원문) — 한문 원문
- 한의학고전DB (mediclassics.kr) — 원문 및 국역 자료 참조