Now, how can this triple energizer and upper heat and lower cold be explained in modern medicine? I believe this wisdom from the Donguibogam is very closely linked to modern neurology, endocrinology, and immunology. In particular, autonomic nervous system imbalance plays a key role. Our autonomic nervous system is divided into sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves, balancing each other to regulate all biological functions. When stress or overwork persists, the body excessively activates the sympathetic nerve, which enters a combat-ready state.
When the sympathetic nerve becomes hyperactive, the body constricts blood vessels, speeds up the heart, and directs blood to the brain and major muscles in preparation for an emergency. The problem here is that, over the long term, blood flow volume to specific areas decreases, and changes occur in the immune response as well. In particular, circulation is impaired in the abdomen and lower body, which can be perceived as cold energy, while inflammatory reactions are easily triggered in the upper body and head, concentrating hot energy. This can be seen as one modern medical interpretation of upper heat and lower cold described in the Donguibogam.
Chronic stomatitis, tonsillitis, and sore throat are mostly inflammatory conditions, and such inflammation can easily occur when the immune system mounts a hypersensitivity reaction or loses its proper function due to autonomic nervous system imbalance. When the stress hormone cortisol is secreted over a long period, it can affect the activity of immune cells and reduce the ability to regulate inflammatory responses. It also influences the microbial balance in the oral cavity, creating an environment favorable for harmful bacteria to thrive.
The mouth and throat are areas in direct contact with the outside world, making them sensitive to external stimuli, but they also serve as a barometer where autonomic nervous system imbalance inside the body shows up first. Because the lymphatic system and immune cells are densely gathered there, they are heavily influenced by the autonomic nerves. Chronic pharyngalgia or frequent tonsillitis may not simply be a matter of bacterial infection, but a sign that our body's homeostasis is broken and the immune system is failing to operate properly. In such cases, antibiotics or anti-inflammatory analgesics might provide temporary symptom relief, but without resolving the fundamental autonomic nervous system imbalance, it is easy to fall into a vicious cycle of repeated recurrence. It is much like patching up leaks repeatedly. Therefore, recurring stomatitis, tonsillitis, and sore throats should be regarded as very important warnings from your body asking to please rest and please restore balance.
