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Tangaek — Decoctions · Grains

殼 Gak (각)

Gak (殼) is the dried seed pod of the opium poppy, known in Korean traditional medicine as aengsokgak — the poppy husk. It refers to the dry shell left behind once the seeds have been shaken out. The vernacular Korean gloss in the original text calls it yanggomideun-geopjil, literally "the husk the poppy seeds were held in."

The Dongui Bogam records how it is to be prepared for use: remove the sinew-like membranes, the inner flesh, and the stalk entirely, cut the husk into fine pieces, steep it in honey water, and then toast it slowly over a low flame.

A note for modern readers: in South Korea the opium poppy is classified as a controlled narcotic, so even these husks may not be freely gathered or possessed.

Original, read line by line 東醫寶鑑 · Tangaek — Decoctions vol. 1

  1. 治脾瀉久痢, 澁腸, 及虛勞久嗽.

    It treats diarrhoea of the bi (脾, spleen) and chronic dysentery, astringes the intestines, and also addresses heoro (虛勞, taxation depletion) and long-standing cough.

    HomiclubGak is the dried seed capsule of the opium poppy, the husk left after the seeds are shaken out. Because the opium poppy is a controlled narcotic plant in Korea, the capsule too may not be gathered or kept.

  2. 又入腎, 治骨病. 《本草》

    It also enters the sin (腎, kidney) and treats diseases of the bone. 《Boncho (本草)》

  3. 粟殼, 去盡筋膜瓤蔕, 剉碎, 以蜜水淹一宿, 次日, 慢火炒黃色用. 《良方》

    For the poppy capsule, strip away all the membranes, pith, and stem-end, cut it small, steep it overnight in honey water, and the next day roast it yellow over a slow fire. 《Yangbang (良方)》

  4. 入痢藥, 醋炒用之. 《本草》

    When put into a medicine for dysentery, it is roasted with vinegar. 《Boncho (本草)》

  5. 鸎粟殼, 有澁腸, 止嗽之能. 《醫鑑》

    The poppy capsule has the power to astringe the intestines and to stop coughing. 《Uigam (醫鑑)》

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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