Looking at this traditional insight through modern medicine reveals an alignment with contemporary science. The concept in Donguibogam that blood acts as body fluids and vital force corresponds directly to the core physiological functions that blood performs.
Blood serves as the body's primary transport system. It carries oxygen from the lungs to all tissues and cells, including the skin, and delivers nutrients essential for cellular activity, such as glucose, amino acids, and fatty acids, absorbed from the digestive organs. When blood circulation is compromised, skin cells do not receive adequate oxygen and nutrients. Similar to plants wilting when water cannot reach a garden, skin cell metabolism declines and the clearance of waste slows, leaving the skin dull and less elastic. This leads to weakened skin barrier function, increasing vulnerability to external irritation and worsening xerosis cutis.
The dermis contains fibroblasts that synthesize collagen and elastin, and a continuous blood supply is necessary for these cells to function. When circulation declines, fibroblast activity drops, reducing collagen and elastin production and resulting in reduced skin elasticity and fine wrinkles. In addition, blood transports immune cells and antibodies that protect the skin from infection and inflammation. Poor circulation weakens the skin's immune response, making it more prone to blemishes and inflammatory skin conditions.
The autonomic nervous system also directly influences skin health. When autonomic balance is disrupted by stress, blood vessels constrict, reducing blood flow to the skin. Hormonal influences are also significant. For women, estrogen plays an important role in skin moisture retention and collagen production; when estrogen levels fall during menopause, skin dryness and loss of elasticity become more pronounced.
The abundance and proper circulation of blood described in Donguibogam can be understood through modern physiological mechanisms: maintaining cellular function through adequate blood supply, metabolic waste removal, immune support, and hormonal balance. Supporting healthy blood flow throughout the body, rather than relying solely on topical products, is a necessary step toward genuine skin health.
