How Is Gyeongokgo Made? — 72 Hours of Dedication

Slow, long, and made with care

Gyeongokgo is a prescription recorded in the Donguibogam as "a medicine that drives away a thousand illnesses in a day." It is not simply a mixture of herbs but is double-boiled for over 72 hours to extract the active components of the herbs to the fullest.

Four core ingredients

• Fresh Rehmannia root (生地黃): The chief herb (君藥) that replenishes body fluids (津液) and clears blood heat (血熱)
• Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng, 人蔘): Tonifies the qi of the spleen and lungs (脾肺) and promotes the production of body fluids
• Poria (Poria cocos, 白茯苓): Strengthens the spleen and stomach and removes dampness (濕) from the body
• Honey (蜂蜜): Harmonizes the herbs, moistens the lungs, and softens the taste

The manufacturing process

Fresh Rehmannia is juiced, ginseng and Poria are finely ground, and the mixture is double-boiled together with honey. Simmered over low heat for more than 72 hours, it must be stirred regularly to prevent burning. During this process, the cold nature of fresh Rehmannia is tempered, and a warming-tonic (溫補) effect is added.

Points that determine quality

• Origin and maturity of the fresh Rehmannia — Korean Rehmannia from Chungbuk is considered superior
• Purity of the honey — whether genuine raw honey is used rather than sweetened honey
• Simmering time — extraction is incomplete if less than 72 hours
• Storage — must be refrigerated and ideally consumed within 3 months