Column March 5, 2026
Decreased Focus in Students — Can Gongjindan Help?
Hyo-seop Kim
Chief Director
Table of Contents
When study hours grow but efficiency drops
When students continue studying for more than 12 hours a day, the brain's glucose consumption rises sharply, and concentration and memory decline simultaneously. Forcing yourself to sit at the desk in a depleted state significantly reduces efficiency relative to the time spent.
How Gongjindan works
Musk (Moschus, 麝香), the core ingredient of Gongjindan, has the effect known in Korean medicine as opening the orifices (開竅) — opening the pathways of the brain.
- Musk: Studied for helping permeate the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and promote cerebral circulation
- Deer antler (Cervi Cornu Pantotrichum): Promotes growth factors (IGF-1), helping protect nerve cells and boost vitality
- Angelica gigas root and Cornus officinalis fruit: Tonify the liver and kidney (腎) to ensure sufficient blood flow to the brain
When and how to take it
Starting 2 to 3 months before the exam is ideal. Typically, one pill per day, taken on an empty stomach, is prescribed for 2 to 4 weeks. Building a stamina foundation in advance is more effective than last-minute cramming-style use right before the exam.
Things to keep in mind
- Gongjindan is not a cure-all — herbal medicine cannot replace lost sleep
- For students with a heat-prone constitution (frequent facial flushing, recurrent canker sores), the prescription needs to be adjusted
- Commercial Gongjindan varies widely in musk content and quality, so receiving a prescription directly from a Korean medicine clinic is the safest option