The concept of phlegm-fluid in the Donguibogam is not merely an abstract Korean medicine term; it describes complex bodily phenomena that modern medicine can also explain. In particular, the relationship between unexplained headaches or dizziness and phlegm-fluid becomes clear through neurology, circulatory physiology, and research on the gut-brain axis.
Describing phlegm-fluid as stagnated, turbid fluid aligns well with the modern understanding of metabolic waste accumulation and low-grade inflammation. When metabolism slows due to chronic stress, irregular meals, and ongoing fatigue, the waste products generated by cells are not cleared efficiently and begin to build up. This process can trigger subtle chronic inflammation. If these inflammatory markers enter the bloodstream and travel to the brain, they may induce microcirculatory disorders in the cerebral blood vessels. As brain capillaries become congested or narrowed, the delivery of oxygen and nutrients is compromised, leading to reduced cerebral blood flow or microvascular dysfunction.
The brain consumes more energy than any other organ, so even minor reductions in blood supply can cause dysfunction. When microvascular blood flow is disrupted in areas responsible for balance and spatial awareness, such as the vestibular system, brainstem, or cerebellum, dizziness often results. At the same time, nociceptors around the brain may become hypersensitive to inflammatory mediators, or vessel tone regulation may be impaired, presenting as chronic tension headaches or migraines.
Modern research also highlights the gut-brain axis. The Donguibogam links phlegm-fluid closely to impaired digestive function, which corresponds to how gut dysbiosis allows inflammatory compounds, such as lipopolysaccharides, into the bloodstream and up to the brain. Poor gut health also disrupts neurotransmitter synthesis, contributing to emotional distress and cognitive decline. In this light, the traditional concept of phlegm-fluid connects directly to modern conditions like chronic inflammation, metabolic syndrome, cerebral blood flow disorders, and gut-brain axis imbalance, offering a clear reason to pay closer attention to these persistent physical signals.
