Homiclub

Tangaek — Decoctions · Herbs

白芨 Daewampul (대왐풀)

Baekgeup is the tuber of Bletilla, a hardy ground orchid recorded in old Korean as daewampul and now grown in gardens for its magenta spring flowers. The Donguibogam describes a white, three-cornered tuber shaped like a water chestnut, and notes it was usually paired with baengnyeom.

Original, read line by line 東醫寶鑑 · Tangaek — Decoctions vol. 3

  1. 性平一云微寒, 味苦辛, 無毒.

    Its nature is neutral — one account says slightly cold — its taste bitter and pungent, and it has no toxicity.

  2. 主癰腫, 惡瘡敗疽, 發背瘰癧, 腸風痔瘻, 刀箭撲損傷, 湯火瘡.

    It chiefly governs abscess swellings, malignant sores and rotting ulcers, balbae (back abscess) and scrofula, intestinal wind and anal fistula, wounds from blades, arrows and blows, and scalds and burns.

  3. 根似菱米, 有三角, 白色.

    The root resembles a water caltrop kernel, has three corners, and is white.

    HomiclubToday it is called jaran, a plant of the orchid family. Its purple flowers open in May, and it is also grown in flower beds.

  4. 二月八月九月採根, 暴乾. 《本草》

    The root is dug in the second, eighth, and ninth months and dried in the sun. 《Boncho (Materia Medica)》

  5. 白斂ㆍ白芨, 古今服餌方少用, 多見於斂瘡方中, 二物多相須而行. 《入門》

    Baengnyeom and baekgeup have been little used, past or present, in bogi (regimen) formulas, appearing rather in formulas for closing sores, and the two commonly go together as a pair. 《Immun (Introduction to Medicine)》

    HomiclubBaengnyeom (白斂) is the tuber of the gawitop vine, a material whose name appears alongside baekgeup in old formulas.

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This is a cultural and historical record from a classical text, not a claim about any food’s effects. Nothing here is a health supplement or intended to prevent or treat disease. Consult a medical professional about health concerns. · Text: Korean Medicine Classics DB · Reading: Homiclub