Korean Black Raspberry
Overview
Bokbunja, the Korean black raspberry, is best known today as the base of a sweet fruit wine, but the Donguibogam records it as a medicinal fruit with a memorable naming story: because it was said to secure kidney essence and reduce frequent urination, a person who took it would need to turn the chamber pot upside down — "overturned basin," 覆盆. The text gives exact harvest advice (pick when only five-tenths to six-tenths ripe, then dry in strong sun) and separates it from a look-alike, 蓬藟: the vine-growing, later-ripening, larger berry is the look-alike, while the shrub-branch, earlier and smaller one is true bokbunja.
In the Donguibogam
寶鑑
Traditional uses recorded in the Donguibogam
- Tonifies the kidney and secures essence
- Reduces frequent urination
- Supplements the liver, brightens the eyes
- Boosts qi
Traditional applications recorded in the classical text
- Frequent or nighttime urination
- Tired, dim eyes from liver-kidney weakness
- General depletion-type fatigue
Traditional preparation
Harvested in the 5th lunar month when only partly ripe, dried in strong sun, and — before use — stripped of skin and calyx and steamed in wine.
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
Why is it called "bokbunja" (overturned basin)?
The Donguibogam explains the name directly: the fruit is said to benefit kidney essence and reduce urination so strongly that one would turn the chamber pot over — hence 覆盆, "overturned basin."
How do you tell true bokbunja from its look-alike?
The text distinguishes it from 蓬藟: the vine-growing, later-ripening, larger berry is the look-alike, while the shrub-branched, earlier-ripening, smaller one is true bokbunja. Both were noted to reduce urination.
When was it traditionally picked?
In the fifth lunar month, when the fruit was only five-to-six-tenths ripe, then dried in strong sun — not fully ripe and soft.
Sources
- 『동의보감』 탕액편, 허준, 1613 (원문) — 한문 원문
- 한의학고전DB (mediclassics.kr) — 원문 및 국역 자료 참조