From the perspective of modern medicine, qi as spoken of in Donguibogam can be interpreted as a concept encompassing our body's complex biological systems as a whole. In blood circulation and thermoregulation especially, it is deeply connected to the autonomic nervous system, endocrine system, and microvascular circulation. Those with exceptionally cold hands and feet who are constantly fatigued and also experience dizziness often have frequent vasoconstriction and a decreased overall metabolic rate due to hyperactivation of the sympathetic nerve or autonomic imbalance with the parasympathetic nerve within the autonomic nervous system.
Our body temperature is primarily generated through muscle activity and metabolism; lacking qi can be interpreted as a drop in energy production capacity. This also links to mitochondrial hypofunction. Mitochondria produce the energy currency called adenosine triphosphate (ATP) inside cells; when this function declines, the body cannot efficiently generate energy no matter how much nutrition is consumed. As a result, the energy necessary for maintaining body temperature and blood circulation becomes deficient. In particular, people prone to hypotension often have weak cardiac pumping force or reduced vascular elasticity, preventing blood from reaching the microvessels adequately. At this point, to maintain body temperature, our body constricts peripheral blood vessels further to prioritize blood supply to core organs, repeating a vicious cycle where hands and feet become even colder.
Ginsenoside, the primary active component of ginseng, has been shown through modern scientific research to contribute to improving these issues. Ginsenoside improves the function of vascular endothelial cells and promotes nitric oxide production, helping to relax and dilate blood vessels. This goes beyond merely widening vessels, contributing to alleviating cold hypersensitivity of hands and feet by allowing blood to flow more smoothly and efficiently to the periphery. In addition, ginsenoside can help relieve stress response and balance the autonomic nervous system by regulating the secretion of corticosteroids. When stress is severe, the sympathetic nerve becomes heightened, making vasoconstriction likely; ginseng modulates this, exerting a positive effect in relaxing the body and improving blood circulation.
Furthermore, ginseng promotes mitochondrial biogenesis and activates their function, contributing to higher cellular energy production efficiency. This increases the overall metabolic rate, enhancing the body's autonomous heat-generating capacity and helping to improve chronic fatigue and lethargy. In other words, rather than simply supplying heat from the outside, ginseng replenishes fundamental energy so that our body can move warmly and vigorously on its own. In this way, the wisdom of Donguibogam once again proves its outstanding efficacy through the language of modern science.
