From the perspective of modern medicine, the phlegm-fluid discussed in Donguibogam can be understood as a concept encompassing multiple complex physiological imbalances. Rather than simply describing a problem of fluid metabolism, it aligns closely with the causes of various modern conditions, including systemic inflammation, metabolic syndrome, mitochondrial dysfunction, and gut-brain axis imbalance. When our body feels heavy, sluggish, and lacking in energy due to phlegm-fluid, it is deeply connected to a chronic inflammatory state.
When inflammatory substances accumulate excessively, inflammatory cytokines circulate through the bloodstream across the entire body, inducing fatigue. This is much like a small, ceaseless ember burning inside the body and consuming energy. This chronic inflammation increases insulin resistance, which can impair blood glucose regulation. A blood sugar spike, where blood glucose rises and falls sharply, is one of the main causes triggering postprandial somnolence and lethargy. Just as the weakened spleen-stomach function mentioned in Donguibogam is linked to indigestion, modern medicine connects it to gut dysbiosis, namely leaky gut syndrome. When gut health declines, digestive absorption drops, and harmful substances enter the bloodstream through the intestinal barrier, further aggravating systemic inflammation. This also affects brain function, potentially triggering impaired concentration and memory impairment, known as brain fog.
Furthermore, the concept of phlegm-fluid as pooled dampness can be seen as an abnormality in fluid metabolism. Edema and lymphatic circulation disorders are intimately tied to the accumulation of metabolic waste and unnecessary fluid. In particular, endocrine diseases such as hypothyroidism lower the metabolic rate, making the body feel heavy, worsening fatigue, and causing fluid retention that mirrors phlegm-fluid symptoms. Adrenal fatigue syndrome also involves an abnormality in cortisol regulation caused by sustained stress, leading to chronic fatigue, lethargy, and decreased immunity, which directly aligns with the Korean medicine perspective that phlegm-fluid depletes qi. In addition, the idea that phlegm-fluid clouds the head relates to imbalances in brain neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine play critical roles in mood, concentration, and sleep; chronic inflammation and metabolic imbalances impair their production and utilization, leading to low mood, lethargy, and impaired concentration. Furthermore, mitochondria serve as the energy powerhouses of our cells, and when mitochondrial dysfunction occurs, energy cannot be produced no matter how much you rest, resulting in severe fatigue. Ultimately, Donguibogam's concept of phlegm-fluid can be interpreted as an insightful ancestral observation of a systemic syndrome where chronic inflammation, metabolic disorders, hormonal imbalances, compromised gut health, and neurotransmitter disturbances interact. This is why it is essential to listen to these subtle bodily signals and re-examine your lifestyle habits from an integrative viewpoint.
