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Geummaek Research

Research Papers

A curated collection of academic research relevant to the clinical practice at Geummaek Korean Medicine Clinic.

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Research Papers
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Total 44 papers

All Wellness / Restoration Gongjindan (拱辰丹) Gyeongokgo (瓊玉膏) Gwanjeoldan (關節丹) Hyangseongpajeokhwan (響聲破笛丸) Mental Health Skin Conditions Digestive Disorders Respiratory Conditions ENT Disorders Neurological Disorders Pediatric / Adolescent Care Women's Health / Infertility Men's Health / Urology Geum! Maek! Capsule Diet Geum! Maek! Beauty Clinic Private Inpatient Room Traffic Accident Aftercare Pediatric Traffic Accident Workers' Compensation Lower Back Pain Neck Pain Shoulder Pain Elbow Pain Wrist / Hand Pain Hip Pain Knee Pain Ankle / Foot Pain TMJ Disorder
RCT Geum! Maek! Capsule Diet

Effect of Combined Herbal Medicine Prescription and Auricular Acupuncture for Obesity Treatment: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Kim YJ, Park SH, Lee HJ, et al.

Obesity Research and Clinical Practice (2024)

6.8kg Weight Reduction
7.4cm Waist Circumference Reduction
4.6% Body Fat Percentage Reduction

The combination of herbal medicine and auricular acupuncture demonstrates synergistic effects in obesity treatment, showing superior results in weight, body fat, and waist circumference compared to monotherapy.

View Source 2024
RCT Geum! Maek! Capsule Diet

Effect of Combined Herbal Medicine Prescription and Auricular Acupuncture for Obesity Treatment: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Kim YJ, Park SH, Lee HJ, et al. Obesity Research and Clinical Practice (2024)
6.8kg Weight Reduction
7.4cm Waist Circumference Reduction
4.6% Body Fat Percentage Reduction

Summary

A 12-week randomized controlled trial compared a herbal medicine + auricular acupuncture combined group, a herbal medicine monotherapy group, and a placebo group in 118 adults with BMI 25-35. The combined group showed an average weight reduction of 6.8 kg, significantly higher than the herbal medicine monotherapy group (4.2 kg) and the placebo group (1.1 kg). Waist circumference decreased by 7.4 cm, and body fat percentage decreased by 4.6%.

Key Conclusion

The combination of herbal medicine and auricular acupuncture demonstrates synergistic effects in obesity treatment, showing superior results in weight, body fat, and waist circumference compared to monotherapy.

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Meta-Analysis Geum! Maek! Capsule Diet

Weight Loss Effect and Safety of Mahuang-Containing Herbal Medicine: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Cho JH, Nam DH, Kim KS, et al.

Phytotherapy Research (2023)

3.7kg Additional Weight Loss
8.4% Basal Metabolic Rate Increase
18 studies Number of Reviewed Studies

Mahuang-containing herbal medicine demonstrates significant weight loss effects through basal metabolic rate increase, with confirmed safety at appropriate doses.

View Source 2023
Meta-Analysis Geum! Maek! Capsule Diet

Weight Loss Effect and Safety of Mahuang-Containing Herbal Medicine: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Cho JH, Nam DH, Kim KS, et al. Phytotherapy Research (2023)
3.7kg Additional Weight Loss
8.4% Basal Metabolic Rate Increase
18 studies Number of Reviewed Studies

Summary

Eighteen randomized controlled trials (total 1,426 subjects) evaluating the weight loss effect of Mahuang-containing herbal medicine were meta-analyzed. The Mahuang-containing herbal medicine group showed an average additional weight reduction of 3.7 kg, and basal metabolic rate increased by an average of 8.4%. Heart rate increase (average 4.2 bpm) and mild insomnia (7.3%) were reported, but no serious adverse events occurred.

Key Conclusion

Mahuang-containing herbal medicine demonstrates significant weight loss effects through basal metabolic rate increase, with confirmed safety at appropriate doses.

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Before-After Geum! Maek! Capsule Diet

Visceral Fat Reduction and Metabolic Syndrome Indicator Improvement by Korean Medicine Diet Program: A Pre-Post Comparison Study

Lee SY, Choi MK, Jung WS, et al.

Metabolic Syndrome and Related Disorders (2024)

28.4cm² Visceral Fat Reduction
47% Metabolic Syndrome Resolution Rate
34% Triglyceride Reduction

The integrated Korean medicine diet program effectively reduces visceral fat and improves metabolic syndrome indicators, contributing to metabolic health restoration beyond simple weight loss.

View Source 2024
Before-After Geum! Maek! Capsule Diet

Visceral Fat Reduction and Metabolic Syndrome Indicator Improvement by Korean Medicine Diet Program: A Pre-Post Comparison Study

Lee SY, Choi MK, Jung WS, et al. Metabolic Syndrome and Related Disorders (2024)
28.4cm² Visceral Fat Reduction
47% Metabolic Syndrome Resolution Rate
34% Triglyceride Reduction

Summary

A pre-post comparison study administered an integrated Korean medicine diet program including herbal medicine, pharmacopuncture, and dietary guidance for 12 weeks to 82 patients with metabolic syndrome. Visceral fat area on CT decreased by an average of 28.4 cm², and fasting blood glucose dropped by 12 mg/dL. Triglycerides decreased by 34%, HDL cholesterol increased by 11%, and the metabolic syndrome resolution rate reached 47%.

Key Conclusion

The integrated Korean medicine diet program effectively reduces visceral fat and improves metabolic syndrome indicators, contributing to metabolic health restoration beyond simple weight loss.

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RCT Geum! Maek! Capsule Diet

Effect of Electroacupuncture on Appetite-Regulating Hormones and Satiety Enhancement: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Hwang MS, Lee JH, Shin BC, et al.

Appetite (2023)

22% Ghrelin Reduction
44% Satiety Improvement
31% Leptin Sensitivity Improvement

Electroacupuncture restores the balance of appetite-regulating hormones and enhances satiety, inducing natural meal reduction without behavioral correction.

View Source 2023
RCT Geum! Maek! Capsule Diet

Effect of Electroacupuncture on Appetite-Regulating Hormones and Satiety Enhancement: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Hwang MS, Lee JH, Shin BC, et al. Appetite (2023)
22% Ghrelin Reduction
44% Satiety Improvement
31% Leptin Sensitivity Improvement

Summary

A randomized controlled trial compared an abdominal-auricular electroacupuncture group with a sham acupuncture group over 8 weeks in 96 overweight adults. The electroacupuncture group showed a 22% reduction in blood ghrelin (appetite-stimulating hormone) and a 31% improvement in leptin sensitivity. Postprandial satiety VAS improved by 44%, and snacking frequency decreased by an average of 4.2 times per week.

Key Conclusion

Electroacupuncture restores the balance of appetite-regulating hormones and enhances satiety, inducing natural meal reduction without behavioral correction.

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Cohort Study Geum! Maek! Capsule Diet

Effect of Korean Medicine Weight Management Program for Postpartum Obese Women: A Prospective Cohort Study

Yoon EH, Kim MJ, Park YJ, et al.

Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research (2024)

78% Weight Recovery Rate
1.8cm Diastasis Recti Improvement
2.3 times vs Self-Management

Integrated Korean medicine weight management promotes weight recovery in postpartum obese women and shows multifaceted effects including improvement of abdominal muscle strength and emotional state.

View Source 2024
Cohort Study Geum! Maek! Capsule Diet

Effect of Korean Medicine Weight Management Program for Postpartum Obese Women: A Prospective Cohort Study

Yoon EH, Kim MJ, Park YJ, et al. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research (2024)
78% Weight Recovery Rate
1.8cm Diastasis Recti Improvement
2.3 times vs Self-Management

Summary

A prospective cohort study compared 16-week outcomes between a herbal medicine + pharmacopuncture + chuna combined group and a self-management group in 74 women with weight retention more than 6 months postpartum. The combined group showed a 78% pre-pregnancy weight recovery rate, 2.3 times higher than the self-management group (34%). Diastasis recti improved by 1.8 cm, and postpartum depression scale (EPDS) also decreased significantly.

Key Conclusion

Integrated Korean medicine weight management promotes weight recovery in postpartum obese women and shows multifaceted effects including improvement of abdominal muscle strength and emotional state.

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RCT Geum! Maek! Capsule Diet

Treatment Effect of Bangpungtongseong-san for Obese Patients with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Seo BK, Kwon OJ, Cho SH, et al.

Hepatology International (2023)

5.1kg Weight Reduction
7.8% Intrahepatic Fat Reduction
42% ALT Normalization

Bangpungtongseong-san simultaneously improves obesity and fatty liver, serving as an effective Korean medicine prescription for intrahepatic fat reduction and liver function normalization.

View Source 2023
RCT Geum! Maek! Capsule Diet

Treatment Effect of Bangpungtongseong-san for Obese Patients with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Seo BK, Kwon OJ, Cho SH, et al. Hepatology International (2023)
5.1kg Weight Reduction
7.8% Intrahepatic Fat Reduction
42% ALT Normalization

Summary

A 12-week randomized controlled trial compared a Bangpungtongseong-san administration group with a placebo group in 108 obese patients with concurrent non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The Bangpungtongseong-san group showed a 5.1 kg weight reduction, and intrahepatic fat content (MRI-PDFF) decreased by an average of 7.8%. ALT normalized in 42% of patients, and the liver fibrosis indicator (FIB-4) also improved significantly.

Key Conclusion

Bangpungtongseong-san simultaneously improves obesity and fatty liver, serving as an effective Korean medicine prescription for intrahepatic fat reduction and liver function normalization.

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Cohort Study Geum! Maek! Capsule Diet

Long-Term Weight Maintenance Effect of Constitutional-Tailored Korean Medicine Diet: A 24-Month Follow-Up Cohort Study

Park JW, Ko SJ, Han G, et al.

International Journal of Obesity (2024)

18% Yo-Yo Incidence Rate
24 months Follow-up Period
1.2kg Regain Magnitude

Sasang constitutional tailored Korean medicine diet is excellent for long-term weight maintenance and is 3 times more effective than general dietary management in preventing the yo-yo phenomenon.

View Source 2024
Cohort Study Geum! Maek! Capsule Diet

Long-Term Weight Maintenance Effect of Constitutional-Tailored Korean Medicine Diet: A 24-Month Follow-Up Cohort Study

Park JW, Ko SJ, Han G, et al. International Journal of Obesity (2024)
18% Yo-Yo Incidence Rate
24 months Follow-up Period
1.2kg Regain Magnitude

Summary

A cohort study compared 24-month weight changes between a Sasang constitutional tailored Korean medicine program group and a general dietary management group in 162 adults in the weight maintenance phase after successful weight loss (≥5%). The yo-yo phenomenon incidence in the Korean medicine group was 18%, significantly lower than the general group (52%). At the 24-month time point, weight regain was on average only 1.2 kg, demonstrating outstanding effects on weight maintenance compared to the general group (4.8 kg).

Key Conclusion

Sasang constitutional tailored Korean medicine diet is excellent for long-term weight maintenance and is 3 times more effective than general dietary management in preventing the yo-yo phenomenon.

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Systematic Review Geum! Maek! Capsule Diet

Herbal Medicine Treatment Effect for Taeumin Obesity: A Systematic Review on Constitutional Response Differences

Song TM, Lee EJ, Kim LH, et al.

Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2023)

71% Treatment Response Rate
2.1kg Additional Weight Loss
22 studies Number of Reviewed Studies

Taeumin tailored herbal medicine prescriptions show superior obesity treatment effects compared to general prescriptions, demonstrating the importance of tailored treatment based on constitutional differentiation.

View Source 2023
Systematic Review Geum! Maek! Capsule Diet

Herbal Medicine Treatment Effect for Taeumin Obesity: A Systematic Review on Constitutional Response Differences

Song TM, Lee EJ, Kim LH, et al. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2023)
71% Treatment Response Rate
2.1kg Additional Weight Loss
22 studies Number of Reviewed Studies

Summary

Twenty-two clinical studies evaluating the herbal medicine treatment effect on Taeumin, the Sasang constitution with the highest prevalence of obesity, were systematically reviewed. Taeumin tailored prescriptions (modified Taeumjowi-tang, etc.) achieved an average of 2.1 kg greater weight loss compared to general prescriptions, and the treatment response rate was significantly superior at 71% versus non-tailored prescriptions (49%). The core mechanisms were appetite suppression and water metabolism improvement.

Key Conclusion

Taeumin tailored herbal medicine prescriptions show superior obesity treatment effects compared to general prescriptions, demonstrating the importance of tailored treatment based on constitutional differentiation.

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RCT Geum! Maek! Capsule Diet

Abdominal Obesity Reduction Effect of Korean Medicine Thread Embedding Therapy: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Kwon CY, Yoon SH, Lee BH, et al.

Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine (2024)

5.6cm Waist Circumference Reduction
18% Subcutaneous Fat Reduction
2 times vs Monotherapy

The combination of thread embedding therapy and herbal medicine demonstrates synergistic effects on abdominal obesity, particularly being effective for local fat reduction.

View Source 2024
RCT Geum! Maek! Capsule Diet

Abdominal Obesity Reduction Effect of Korean Medicine Thread Embedding Therapy: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Kwon CY, Yoon SH, Lee BH, et al. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine (2024)
5.6cm Waist Circumference Reduction
18% Subcutaneous Fat Reduction
2 times vs Monotherapy

Summary

An 8-week randomized controlled trial compared a thread embedding + herbal medicine group with a herbal medicine monotherapy group in 94 adults with abdominal obesity (waist circumference ≥90 cm in men, ≥85 cm in women). The thread embedding combined group showed an average 5.6 cm reduction in waist circumference, twice the effect of the herbal medicine monotherapy group (2.8 cm). Subcutaneous fat on abdominal CT decreased by 18%, and abdominal muscle tone improved significantly.

Key Conclusion

The combination of thread embedding therapy and herbal medicine demonstrates synergistic effects on abdominal obesity, particularly being effective for local fat reduction.

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Before-After Geum! Maek! Capsule Diet

Effect of Herbal Medicine Treatment on Gut Microbiome Diversity in Obese Patients: A Pre-Post Comparison Study

Oh SJ, Moon HW, Choi JY, et al.

Gut Microbes (2023)

24% Microbiome Diversity Increase
3.2 times Beneficial Bacteria Increase
41% Endotoxin Reduction

Herbal medicine treatment diversifies the gut microbiome ecosystem in obese patients and reduces metabolic endotoxin, contributing to weight regulation through gut-metabolic axis improvement.

View Source 2023
Before-After Geum! Maek! Capsule Diet

Effect of Herbal Medicine Treatment on Gut Microbiome Diversity in Obese Patients: A Pre-Post Comparison Study

Oh SJ, Moon HW, Choi JY, et al. Gut Microbes (2023)
24% Microbiome Diversity Increase
3.2 times Beneficial Bacteria Increase
41% Endotoxin Reduction

Summary

A pre-post comparison study administered constitutional tailored herbal medicine for 12 weeks to 66 obese patients with BMI ≥28. In 16S rRNA analysis, gut microbiome diversity (Shannon index) increased by 24%, and the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio normalized. The Akkermansia muciniphila proportion increased 3.2-fold, and blood LPS (endotoxin) decreased by 41%, with improvement in metabolic endotoxemia.

Key Conclusion

Herbal medicine treatment diversifies the gut microbiome ecosystem in obese patients and reduces metabolic endotoxin, contributing to weight regulation through gut-metabolic axis improvement.

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RCT Geum! Maek! Capsule Diet

Effect of Personalized Herbal Prescriptions on Obesity Treatment: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Cho WK, Nam HJ, Park SH, et al.

Obesity (2024)

130 subjects Participants
Weight 4.2kg reduction Weight Loss
Body fat 3.1% reduction Body Fat Reduction

Constitution-tailored herbal medicine is an effective complementary treatment for weight loss and metabolic improvement in obese patients.

View Source 2024
RCT Geum! Maek! Capsule Diet

Effect of Personalized Herbal Prescriptions on Obesity Treatment: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Cho WK, Nam HJ, Park SH, et al. Obesity (2024)
130 subjects Participants
Weight 4.2kg reduction Weight Loss
Body fat 3.1% reduction Body Fat Reduction

Summary

One hundred thirty obese patients with BMI ≥25 were divided into a constitution-tailored herbal medicine group and a placebo group and observed for 12 weeks. The herbal group showed significant decreases in body weight, body fat percentage, and waist circumference, and improved metabolic indices.

Key Conclusion

Constitution-tailored herbal medicine is an effective complementary treatment for weight loss and metabolic improvement in obese patients.

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RCT Geum! Maek! Capsule Diet

Weight Loss Effect of Korean Medicine Obesity Treatment Program: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Kim JY, Lee SH, Park DW, et al.

Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2023)

6.8kg Average Weight Reduction
100 subjects Number of Participants

The Korean medicine obesity treatment program demonstrates significant weight loss and body fat reduction effects.

View Source 2023
RCT Geum! Maek! Capsule Diet

Weight Loss Effect of Korean Medicine Obesity Treatment Program: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Kim JY, Lee SH, Park DW, et al. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2023)
6.8kg Average Weight Reduction
100 subjects Number of Participants

Summary

One hundred adults with BMI ≥25 were divided into a Korean medicine diet group and a lifestyle modification control group and treated for 12 weeks. The Korean medicine group showed an average weight reduction of 6.8 kg, with a 4.2% reduction in body fat percentage.

Key Conclusion

The Korean medicine obesity treatment program demonstrates significant weight loss and body fat reduction effects.

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