In Donguibogam, the uterus in our body was called po. Beyond merely being an organ for conceiving life, this po was viewed as akin to a warm and fertile field or haven where the precious seed of life sprouts and grows. For a seed to take healthy root and grow vigorously, the field must be fertile, well-lit by sunlight, and hold an appropriate amount of water. Our uterus is the exact same. Donguibogam emphasizes that the uterus must be warm, and the warmth spoken of here does not simply mean a numerical warmth measured by a thermometer. It refers to a state in which the warm energy within the body, namely yang qi, overflows sufficiently, and the essence qi and blood that nurture life circulate smoothly without obstruction, filling the uterus in a moist and robust manner.
However, what would happen if this po becomes cold? It is just like sowing seeds on frozen ground in the dead of winter. The seed will not receive the warmth needed to sprout, and even if it sprouts with difficulty, it will soon freeze and wither. When cold deficiency within the uterus (pojunghonaeng) occurs—that is, when the inside of the uterus becomes deficient and cold—the circulation of qi and blood becomes stagnant, and vital energy becomes deficient. Donguibogam viewed that the inner uterine wall then thins or weakens, causing the hard-won zygote to fail to properly achieve implantation, or even if implantation succeeds, the baby cannot receive sufficient warm temperature and nutrients to grow, potentially leading to miscarriage. Furthermore, when blood circulation is not smooth, waste products accumulate and blood stasis forms, which can perpetuate a vicious cycle that further worsens the uterine environment. Because our body is a single organism, cold qi is not merely a chill, but becomes a factor that weakens vitality and dulls all functions. Making the uterus warm and healthy is not just for pregnancy alone; it is an important key to restoring overall vitality and balance in women's health.
