Thuja Seed
Overview
Thuja seed comes from the arborvitae, a tree the Donguibogam describes with real botanical curiosity: while every other tree faces the sun, the arborvitae alone faces west — which the text says is why its Chinese character combines "wood" with "white," the color linked to the west, and why it was thought to hold the purest, most concentrated qi of metal.
In the Donguibogam
寶鑑
Traditional functions
- Calms the spirit, stops palpitations
- Nourishes the heart
- Moistens the skin
- Dispels wind-damp
Traditional applications
- Palpitations from fright or anxiety
- Dry, rough skin
- Wind-damp joint pain
- General weakness with labored breathing
Traditional preparation
Decoction 4–12g, traditionally lightly roasted and de-oiled before use.
Cautions
Frequently asked questions
Why does the arborvitae's Chinese character combine "wood" and "white"?
The Donguibogam explains that unlike every other tree, which faces the sun, the arborvitae alone faces west — the direction linked to the color white — which is why the character combines the two, and why the tree was thought to hold pure metal qi.
What is thuja seed's main traditional use?
Calming the spirit — the Donguibogam highlights fright palpitations as its primary use, alongside moistening dry skin and relieving wind-damp joint pain.
Sources
- 동의보감 탕액편 (원문) — 한문 원문 발췌 — 한의학고전DB 탕액편 대조 검증 완료 (DATA-001)
- 한의학고전DB (mediclassics.kr) — 국역 참조 후 자체 재서술 (LEGAL-001)