Interview with Director Dr. Seo of PyunKang Oriental Clinic

According to a report of World Health Organization, as published by Korean-language daily Chosun Ilbo (claiming the largest circulation) on June 24, 2014, cause of the fourth highest mortality rate is the COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) which includes emphysema and bronchiectasis. Chosun said the death rate will become third by 2030, which means a person will die from it in very ten seconds.
It said that a total of 65 million persons are already serious cases of COPD and in Korea every third person among the senior citizens above the age of 65 is suffering from COPD.

The main causes of COPD are known to be cigarette-smoking, polluted air and dust at work places which, when inhaled, cause the pulmonary diseases and other ailments in the respiratory organs of the human body.
Smokers are mostly worried about the cancer of the lungs but COPD is considered to be much more serious than pulmonary cancer. This is because the people normally do not realize the seriousness of the diseases.
In the early stage of development of COPD, people normally think it is a simple cold or asthma and neglect consulting a doctor about the problem. Then the diseases progress and the patient starts experiencing difficulty in breathing, suffering exhaustion, lapsing into a coma, and then faces death.

However, few people really know the danger of COPD. According to a study by the Korean National Tuberculosis Association in 2012, some 75% of the 737 smokers above the age of 45, who were most prone to the COPD, did not know what COPD meant. A total of 287 taxi cab drivers, who were among the most exposed to the polluted air, were asked if they knew what COPD meant. Nine out of ten of them did not know what it was.
Due to their ignorance of the seriousness of COPD, they seldom visit hospital to have a COPD checkup.

Seriously concerned about this situation, Dr. Seo Hyo-seok, director of the PyunKang Oriental Clinic, started developing Oriental medicine to protect people from COPD.
They are Pyunkang-tang and Pyunkang-hwan. The medicine continues to gain their popularity in Korea and Dr. Seo now wants to further expand his clinics not only in Korea but in various countries around the world.
According to a report by critical Korean-language media CBS NoCut News, the annual turnout of Pyunkang-tang exceeds 17 billion won (US$17 million) and is exported to a total of 31 different countries of the world, including the United States, Japan, Vietnam, Canada, New Zealand, the Philippines, Germany, Sweden, Brazil, Singapore, Malaysia, China, Australia, Guam, Spain, the United Arab Emirates, Uruguay, and Turkey.

Director Dr. Seo, according to NoCut News, attended the 29th New York Koran Festival on Oct. 8-9, 2011 in New Jersey as chairman of the Supports Association, and stated, “I am grateful to K-pop stars who opened wide the gate for the Hallyu Korean Wave to reach all parts of the world. They will surely be followed up and they could be Hansik Korean Food or the Gugak Traditional Korean Classic Court Music. However, I surely assure you that it will be Hanyak, the Korean medicine.”
The Korea Post recently met with Dr. Seo and had an interview to learn how he came to develop the COPD medicine and what his plans are for further expanding his clinics around the world as well as in Korea. Here are excerpts from the interview:

Question: Pyunkang-tang and Pyunkang-hwan are widely known in Korea for curing the COPD diseases. Would you explain how you came to develop them?

Answer: I constantly suffered from tonsillitis when I was a child. There were many times I couldn’t play with my friends because I was bed-ridden, and I spent many sleepless nights due to high fever. This was probably one of the reasons I decided to study Korean Medicine at the university and made endless efforts to find treatment for tonsillitis.
However, the conventional medicinal herbs and treatment methods only mitigated the symptoms and did not cure the disease completely. I was disheartened and asked myself, “How can I treat others when I can’t even treat my own condition?”
After graduating from Kyung Hee University in Seoul, my journey toward finding the perfect treatment for tonsillitis began in full swing. I examined a wide range of medicinal herbs, eating them raw and crushing, boiling, decocting and burning them for my research. Whenever I faced challenges, I sought information in medical books and even applied popular folk remedies. There were many nights when I woke up in the middle of my sleep to continue with my research.
Once, after hearing that frying a centipede called “ogong” and spraying it directly on the tonsils can improve tonsillitis, I tried it at home and it caused an unpleasant odor that stuck around for days.

There was a time when I thought pinellia would be effective, so I drank medicinal fluid containing highly concentrated pinellia as an experiment. The concentration must have been too high because I sustained sores inside my mouth and could not eat for three days.
During my research and experiments, I learned the close relationship between the lungs and atopic dermatitis, asthma, rhinitis and tonsillitis, and this realization led to the development of Pyunkang-tang. Through many clinical trials, Pyunkang-tang was used to treat many diseases arising from a respiratory system problem and was shown to be effective in treating other diseases by improving the health of the lungs.
Since its development, Pyunkang-tang has quickly emerged as an outstanding medicine for treatment of various diseases. A woman, who wanted to commit suicide after suffering from atopy for nearly 40 years, took Pyunkang-tang and re-gained her flawless complexion.
A table tennis player who had been in a slump due to rhinitis became fully cured and achieved an excellent result at an international table tennis competition. A salaried man, who constantly had to take sick leaves due to frequent colds, and a pastor, who suffered from vocal fold nodules and sinusitis, opened a new chapter in their lives thanks to Pyunkang-tang, which helped cure their conditions. It was rewarding for me as the developer of Pyunkang-tang to hear these stories, and I became more convinced of its benefits and efficacy.

Just as there is a saying that you can turn evils into blessings, I am actually grateful to have suffered from tonsillitis in childhood as this unfortunate experience has helped me develop Pyunkang-tang and help countless people. I am also determined to spread the treatment principles of Pyunkang-tang, which reinforces the lung function to eliminate the root cause of the common cold, rhinitis and bronchitis, and help treat people suffering from various diseases around the world.
I am not claiming that Pyunkang-tang is a medicine that can cure every disease and illness, and just because you take it, it doesn’t guarantee that you’ll get better. It is a medicine that helps eliminate the root cause of various diseases for improved health, and there are bound to be challenges and obstacles in the process of treatment. However, if you believe in the efficacy of Pyunkang-tang, which has been proven during the 40 years of clinical research, with patience and faith, you will regain better health just like our former patients..

Q: I understand that you not only head the PyunKang Oriental Medicine Clinic but have PyunKang Oriental Medicine Clinics also in other parts of Korea and even in various countries of the world. Would you explain the background of establishment of the PyunKang Oriental Medicine Clinics:
A:
PyunKang Oriental Medicine Clinic was established in Sanbon, Gunsan 165 miles south of Seoul in 1998. After graduating from the Kyung Hee University College of Oriental Medicine in Seoul in 1972, I concentrated my effort on my study of tonsillitis for 30 years to treat my own condition and as a result succeeded in the development of PyunKang-tang.
The excellent medicinal efficacy of PyunKang-tang was proven in the process of treatment of patients and it led to my expansion of my clinics and to establish branch clinics in Ansan, Myeongdong and Seocho.
PyunKang-tang concoction and PyunKang-hwan (pills) are now exported to some 30 countries worldwide and are supplied to the overseas Koreans who trust the efficacy of PyunKang-tang and PyunKang-hwan.
By virtue of development of the two medicines, the PyunKang Oriental Clinic has become a very famous Oriental medicine clinic in Korea.

Q: Koreans repeatedly cut their figure out in the outside world in various fields, eg., K-Pops, Psy of Gangang Style, B-Boy, K-Dramas, smart phones and various other eye-openers riding the Hallyu (Korean) Wave. Now the area has been further expanded to the medical industry, and many large Korean hospitals are establishing branch hospitals in various countries of the world. What are your plans to further expand the presence of PyungKang Orieintal clinic to other parts of the world?
A:
A growing number of Japanese patients with atopic dermatitis have been visiting the PyunKang Oriental Medicine Clinic in Myeongdong, Seoul as well as Koreans, which was opened in April 2008.
I also opened my branch clinic in Seocho-dong and my first overseas branch clinic in Los Angeles, California, in the United States on Feb. 2, 2009. It marked the beginning PyunKang Oriental Clinic’s expansion of Oriental medical service to the outside world.
On Dec. 16, 2008, the Atopy and PyunKang-tang Oriental Medicine Research Institute was established in Japan, with the central role played by Dr. Shoyama (Doctor of Pharmacology) at Kyushu University, who was also the President of the Japanese Society of Pharmacognosy. These achievements would not have been possible had it not been for the trust of the patents in Pyunkang-tang and support for the clinic.
The objective of the PyungKang Oriental Clinic is to conduct ceaseless research on rhinitis, asthma and atopic dermatitis and ultimately contribute to the improvement of health for the entire mankind. PyunKang Oriental Clinic also aims to globalize oriental medicine, a proud part of Korean heritage
I believe that these feats are possible with the unwavering trust and support of the patients and I wish that the patients would please continue to take interest in my clinic and encourage them as they endeavor to move forward.
PyunKang is the leader in the globalization of Korean medicine.
In modern medicine, the three most common intractable allergic diseases, which are atopic dermatitis, rhinitis and asthma, are regarded as incurable diseases that affect countless number of people around the world as well as in Korea.

Convinced that we can help treat these diseases based on our experience, we at PyunKang Oriental Clinic have been preparing for a long time to globalize Pyunkang-tang. Many Koreans went overseas, seeking medical treatment between the 1960s and 1980s, but this situation has now reversed.
We are making an effort to heighten the status of Korean medicine by promoting our outstanding medical technology and the excellent treatment effect of Pyunkang-tang as a means to contribute to the economic development of Korea and the improvement of health for the entire mankind.
Participating in the 4th World Korean Business Convention in 2005, I attended the World Korean Business Convention along with successful overseas Korean businessmen as well as experts from various sectors and the economic leaders of tomorrow.
Of some 15,000 Korean medicine doctors worldwide, I was the only one who attended the convention to promote the excellence of Korean medicine. There, I declared that there is a cure for chronic diseases such as rhinitis, asthma and atopic dermatitis and demonstrated the excellence of Korean medicine to overseas Koreans.

Q: Please introduce your other activities in connection with your Clinic and medicine:
A:
In May 2007, I appeared on “Ask Anything” and “Healthy Year-Round” on KBS TV in Los Angeles in the first half of the year and gave a special lecture on the three major allergies (atopic dermatitis, asthma and rhinitis).
In July 2008, I gave a special lecture at the Seminar for Oriental Medicine at Stanton University School of Oriental Medicine, and in December 2008 I founded the Atopy and Pyunkang-tang Oriental Medicine Research Institute in Osaka, Japan.
I would like take this opportunity to disclose my plans that we will direct our efforts to treating chronic diseases affecting people worldwide. It brings me great pleasure and instills in me a sense of pride as a medical professional to receive e-mails and phone calls from our overseas patients, who no longer suffer from atopic dermatitis, rhinitis or asthma thanks to Pyunkang-tang or Pyunkang-hwan.
We at PyunKang Oriental Clinic have devoted ourselves to treating chronic disease patients from around the world with Pyunkang-tang. In order to facilitate access to our services to foreigners, we have opened a clinic in Myeong-dong, which attracts countless foreign tourists year-round.
We will continue our efforts to globalize Korean medicine by conducting research on and providing effective treatment for atopic dermatitis, asthma and rhinitis and opening new clinics overseas and on Jeju Island.

Q: Would you elaborate more on the medicinal efficacy of Pyunkang-tang?:
A:
Pyunkang-tang protects your body by improving your lungs, which are the most crucial organ for your body’s Gi (energy) which is known as Gi in China. The common cold is a typical infectious disease of the respiratory system, and most people suffer from it at least a couple of times a year. However, just because it is prevalent, it doesn’t make it any less dangerous.
It is important that one understand the common cold is a source of various other diseases including tonsillitis, rhinitis, bronchitis, sinusitis, otitis media, conjunctivitis, asthma, pharyngitis, and pneumonia.
The respiratory system is the primary route of infection, which can occur during breathing. When the immune system and self-healing power of the body are below the normal level, the respiratory system becomes susceptible to various attacks from foreign matter including microorganisms.
The central role of the respiratory system is played by the lungs, which is also the most crucial organ for our Gi.

The lungs are the site of energy exchange between our bodies and the external environment, and maintain the energy of the body.
In order to stay healthy, we need to promote the lung functions and enhance the amount of energy we receive from nature. However, most people only use one sixth of the lung capacity, and this means that the contaminated air and foreign matter that penetrate the body cannot be filtered out.
The reduced lung functions have a negative impact on the tonsils and airway, and weakened tonsil function means lowered immunity and greater susceptibility to rhinitis, asthma and pneumonia.
Also, the lungs also affect the skin and lowered lung functions can lead to atopic dermatitis and acne. The lungs are the most crucial organ in our bodies. The main function of the lungs is to eliminate carbon dioxide and accept oxygen. Then, the oxygen is transported from the lungs to various parts of the body, including the organs, by the red blood cells (erythrocytes) in the bloodstream, while the white blood cells (leukocytes) help fight off the harmful microorganisms that enter our body such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites.

Atopic dermatitis, rhinitis and asthma have the same root cause.
In modern medicine, atopic dermatitis, rhinitis and asthma are distinguished as three separate diseases, but we take on a different view as these three conditions have the same root cause. Elimination of the root cause can help get rid of the three conditions quickly and simultaneously diseases of which the underlying cause is a problem in the respiratory system including the common cold as well as rhinitis, tonsillitis, bronchitis, asthma, sinusitis, otitis media, conjunctivitis, pneumonia, bronchiectasis, atopic dermatitis, acne and psoriasis.
Clean and purify your lungs with Pyunkang-tang! The essential part of treating a disease arising from a problem in the respiratory system is to clean and purify the lungs.
Most people in modern society spend majority of their time (more than 80% of their day) indoors in enclosed rooms and offices. Research has shown that the degree of air pollution is higher inside buildings compared to the outdoors by about 2- to 5-fold, and this can lead to the sick building syndrome.

Indoor air pollution is a major threat to people. So, it is recommended that you open the windows at least twice a day for ventilation, which helps get rid of the accumulating dust and receive fresh air from outside. This is also true for our bodies.
Due to the everyday stress and irregular lifestyle, we need to clean and ventilate our lungs on a regular basis. Pyunkang-tang can help clean and purify our lungs, discharging the toxins and wastes that have been building up in our bodies, and it helps accept the original Gi (energy) from nature for improved vitality of the lungs.

Treating the root cause for reinforced immunity and self-healing power:
The fundamental principle of treatment provided by PyunKang Oriental Clinic is not simply mitigating the symptoms of diseases, but it is to promote the lung functions and reinforce the immune system and self-healing power. To date, there are more than 150,000 patients who have benefited from Pyunkang-tang and no longer suffer from intractable allergic diseases such as rhinitis, asthma and atopic dermatitis. As such, Pyunkang-tang has been recognized for its excellent effects and efficacy and emerged as the world’s best medicine for diseases resulting from a problem in the respiratory system.

About Director Dr. Seo of PyunKang Oriental Clinic:Current positions
Director of PyunKang Oriental Clinic in Seocho
Outside professor at Kyung Hee University Korean Medicine
Vice-President of the Alumni Association of Kyung Hee University
Director on the board of the Korean Alliance to Defeat AIDS
Vice-President of the Korea Global Healthcare Association
Previous positions
Director of Kyunghee Oriental Clinic in Gunpo
President of the Seoul Dongdaemun-gu Korean Medicine Association
Full-time instructor at the Oriental Hospital of Wonkwang University
Graduated from Kyung Hee University Korean Medicine
Opened Dongindang Oriental Clinic in Daejeon
Published booksPyunkang: Road to Longevity (PyunKang Publisher, 2012)
Health Miracles (PyunKang Publisher, 2010)
From Atopy to Intractable Diseases (I-Olive, 2005)

History of Dr. Seo and his PyunKang Oriental Clinic:2012: Participated in the 3rd Global Healthcare & Medical Tourism Conference hosted by Medical Korea. Opened PyunKang Oriental Clinic in Atlanta. Was chosen in the hit product forecast list by Seoul Economic Daily. Received the Joy+Brand Clinic Award by Financial.
Sponsored a marathon race hosted by SportsSeoul.com.
Received the Consumer Satisfaction Award by Digital Chosun Ilbo.
Was chosen in the hit product forecast list by Hankook Ilbo.
Hosted the 2nd PyunKang Oriental Clinic Cup: World Online Baduk Competition.
Sponsored the 2nd Pyunkang Cup: 3-People, 3-Color Competition, a baduk (go) competition organized by Baduk TV.
Participated in the 32nd Geumsan Ginseng Festival
Gave a special lecture at an event commemorating the 130th anniversary of the diplomatic ties established Korea and the U.S.
Published “Pyunkang, the way to live healthy 100 years” 2011.
Participated in the Chinese Medicine Cultural Trade Fair in Beijing.
Received a meritorious award at the 51st Korean Night in New York and Korean Day in America.
Served as an advisory professor in the leisure sports CEO program of the Hanyang University Graduate School.
Served as an instructor in the General Management Program (GMP) for Global Medical Policies at the Catholic University of Korea.
Received an appreciation plaque at the New York Korean Festival, held to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Korea’s UN membership.
Gave a lecture at the Health Industry CEO Summit.
Gave a special lecture for the GMP students at the Graduate School of Administration at the Catholic University of Korea.
Gave a special clinical lecture at Kyung Hee University.
Gave a special lecture at the luncheon for the Samsung Group retirees.
Gave a special lecture on health to the Central Disaster Policy Division of the National Emergency Management Agency.
Gave a special lecture on health to the Central Disaster Policy Division of the National Emergency Management Agency.
Received the 2011 Quality Satisfaction Award chosen by female consumers by Chosun Ilbo in June.
Received the Korea Premium Brand Award (Oriental Clinic category) from Seoul Economy in June.
Hosted the 1st PyunKang Oriental Clinic Cup: World Online Baduk Competition.
Hosted the Pyunkang Cup Ama-baduk Competition on Baduk TV.
Published “Breathing through the Mouth Can Result in Illnesses” 2010.
Selected as an education institute for clinical collaboration by the Kyung Hee University Korean Medicine.
Received the 2010 Korea Health Industry Award.
Gave a special lecture at the “Seminar on Immunity Improvement in Response to Allergies” in Osaka, Japan.
Gave a special lecture: “Treat Atopy, Rhinitis and Asthma by Improving Your Lungs”.
Received the 2010 Korea Health Industry Award in October.
Received the 2010 Medical Korea Award in September.
Received the E-Biz Brand Award from Digital YTN in December.
Named in the 2010 Aju Economy Hit Product Forecast in December 2009.
Opened PyunKang Oriental Clinic in Seocho.
Opened PyunKang Oriental Clinic at Stanton University School of Oriental Medicine.
Became a member of the Japanese Association of Eastern Medicine.
Signed a medical tourism agreement (Russia).
Received the Best Oriental Clinic Award based on the votes of female consumers 2008.
Opened PyunKang Oriental Clinic in Myeong-dong.
Gave a special lecture at the Seminar for Oriental Medicine Doctors at Stanton University School of Oriental Medicine.
Founded the Atopy and Pyunkang-tang Oriental Medicine Research Institute in Osaka, Japan.
Published “Health Miracles” regarding treatments for the 6 most common intractable diseases in modern society 2007.
Named in the “Top Hospitals by Specialization Field” by Munhwa Ilbo.
Participated in Clinic Expo hosted by Munhwa Ilbo.
Appeared on “Ask Anything” and “Healthy Year-Round” on KBS LA in the first half of the year and gave a special lecture on the top 3 allergies (atopy, asthma and rhinitis).
Appeared on “Ask Anything” and “Healthy Year-Round” on KBS LA in the second half of the year and gave a special lecture on the top 3 allergies (atopy, asthma and rhinitis) 2006.
Appeared on “Incredible Miracle of 0.3L of Breath,” a special nighttime show on MBC.
Pyunkang-tang received the FDA approval as a non-toxic food.
Pyunkang-hwan received the FDA approval as a non-toxic food.
Was chosen as a representative oriental medicine brand by World Overseas Korean Traders Association (World OKTA).
Participated in the 4th World Korean Business Convention 2005.
Published a book titled “From Atopy to Intractable Diseases”.
Participated in the 8th World Chinese Entrepreneurs Convention 2004.
Gave special lectures under the title “Seo Hyo-seok’s Stories of Oriental Medicine” on Pyeonghwa TV (Peace TV) for a 9-month period.
Hosted “Seo Hyo-seok’s Respiratory Clinic” as part of the Zoom-in Medical program on Maeil Business TV for a year.
Appeared on “Treatment for atopic dermatitis in Adults” on News Time:
Health@365 on KBS.
Appeared on “Conquering atopic dermatitis in children” on Open Studio on SBS 2003.
Opened PyunKang Oriental Clinic in Gunpo (PyunKang Medical Foundation).
Opened PyunKang Oriental Clinic in Ansan 2001.
Served as the Director of Kyunghee Oriental Clinic in Gunpo.
Developed the present Pyunkang-tang with enhanced efficacy 1998.
Served as the Director of Nameneon Hospital of Oriental Medicine in Gunpo.
Developed the improved Pyunkang-tang through clinical trials and research 1995.
Served as a member of the Seoul Medical Review Coordination Committee 1994.
Served as a member of the Advisory Committee for the Seoul-Yangnyeong Association 1993.
Service as the chief Vice-President of the Association of Korean Medicine at the time of the Korean medicine dispute 1992.
Served as the chairperson of the Medicinal Herb Screening Committee of the Association of Korean Medicine 1991.
Served as the President of Seoul Dongdaemun-gu Korean Medicine Association 1978.
Served as a full-time instructor at the Oriental Hospital of Wongwang University 1972.
Graduated from Kyung Hee University Korean Medicine.
Opened Dongindang Oriental Clinic in Daejeon.
Developed the first Pyunkang-tang through clinical trials and research (where Director Dr. Seo used himself in clinical tests.)

저작권자 © The Korea Post 무단전재 및 재배포 금지