The Korean Herbal Apothecary: Ancient Wisdom for Wellness and Balance in the Modern World

by Grace Yoon

Korean women are expected to reach a record average lifespan of over 90 years by 2030. In this first-of-its kind guide, discover their culture’s ancient healing methods and remedies.

How has the Korean culture, now being looked at as a new Blue Zone, created such incredible wellness and longevity? An examination of their healing traditions may provide some actionable answers. Grace Yoon, Founder of Qi Alchemy, delivers just this with The Korean Herbal Apothecary , the first book to focus specifically on Korean herbalism and ancestral healing practices . She reveals healing traditions that have been used for generations, handed down grandmother to daughter and granddaughter,

Based on Korean ancestral practices and herbal medicine, this guide teaches the Eastern approach to healing, including:
With The Korean Herbal Apothecary at your side, you will learn how to use the power of ancient wisdom and remedies for spiritual and physical healing .

Genres: Nonfiction, Cooking, Herbs

208 pages, Paperback

Published October 3, 2023

Reviews

[Maxine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations. Recipes were enticing.
I wish the index was more detailed.

[Forest Spell · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an American herbalist living in Korea, this is a lovely and informative addition to my shelf.

This is not a one-stop book, it is best paired with a *local to you* field guide if foraging and the understanding that depending on your location, obviously not every ingredient in this book will be available via foraging and may be difficult to find when shopping locally. And this is not a deep dive into the topics presented. It is very much an introduction to the content, but a well-done introduction in my opinion.

Overall, it's a lovely read that includes anecdotes, poetry, and folklore and provides some wonderful recipes for utilizing common finds from the local Korean grocers and open-air markets. Most of the recipes included are common Korean culinary recipes rather than specifically medicinal and are perfectly safe for casual home consumption such as 팥죽 (red bean porridge), 도토리묵 무침 (acorn jelly salad), 미역국 (seaweed soup), 미나리나물 (water dropwort* salad) and so on.

It also contains a wonderful, though brief, beginner's introduction to the concepts of Korean herbal energetics & constitutional medicine.

Names: While the common names are not always familiar, the author does provide the Latin binomial for the given herbs to help avoid confusion. One should never rely on the common or folk names of plants as they're not universal and some very different plants share the same or very similar common names. I also appreciate that the author includes the Korean common name in Hangul, which helps when shopping at the Korean markets. (*One example of differences in common names is she refers to what many call water dropwort as water celery. Both common names, as well as others, are correct for the plant in question: Oenanthe javanica)

Imagery: While the book includes some lovely naturalist artwork for the various botanicals mentioned, it would have been nice to see more pictures of the actual plant both in its natural state and market appearance.

Regarding the mention of high-risk plants like monkshood. Personally, I see nothing wrong with its inclusion. The author made no irresponsible claims or guidance regarding the use of this plant that I found. And it's a fair mention since it is a relevant inclusion. It's no different than Western herbals & introductory courses mentioning or discussing foxglove and, yes, even monkshood. Responsible education is key, and as the saying goes: "dosis sola facit venenum" The dose makes the poison. Even ingredients generally regarded as safe can be dangerous if one is reckless with the dose, frequency/duration or preparation. That said, I do feel there are many more common culinary safe options that could have been included in its place and would have offered more substance for the reader by their inclusion.

Overall, this is a lovely English language introduction to Korean herbals and practice. I hope this lays a foundation for more Korean herbal literature to be translated into English and also for more Korean herbalists and traditional medicine practitioners to break into the English publishing sphere. I also hope to see more from the author, Grace Yoon, in the future.

This book was received as a Christmas gift from my father. My review of it is in no way sponsored and I have no personal connection to the author.

[Jody · Rating 5 out of 5]

Diving into Grace Yoon's enchanting narrative feels like being wrapped in a warm, comforting quilt made of stories, wisdom, and the rich tapestry of Korean herbal traditions. Grace takes us by the hand and leads us into the heart of the Korean herbal apothecary, sharing tales whispered by her grandmother that everything in this world - every leaf, every stone - pulses with Qi, the vital life force that connects us all.

Grace's journey is not just about herbs; it's an invitation to become an herbal alchemist, to weave together our own potions and remedies, guided by the profound knowledge passed down through generations. She illuminates the path by exploring how the spiritual philosophies of Taoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism, like three ancient trees, have rooted deeply into Korean culture, influencing not just thoughts and actions but extending their branches into the very essence of traditional healing practices.

As we wander further with Grace, we're introduced to the delicate dance of Yin and Yang, the cosmic duality that seasons every aspect of life, including the kitchen! She paints a vibrant picture of a traditional Korean meal, where dishes aren't just food but a balance of energetic qualities. These dishes, artfully combining the five elements - wood, fire, earth, metal, and water - also bring to the table a palette of five cardinal colours, each telling its own story, from the deep blues of the forest to the fiery reds of passion, the nurturing yellows of earth, the pure whites of metal, and the mysterious blacks of the sea.

But Grace doesn't stop there. She delves into the heart of each element, revealing its correspondence with flavours, emotions, and the Yin Yang organs, offering us a compass to navigate the intricate world of herbal healing. Through her eyes, herbs come alive, not just as plants but as characters with families, stories, and secrets waiting to be uncovered. She guides us through the nuances of their qualities, from their native homes to their healing properties, and even how to harness their power through preparation and dosing.

This book is a treasure trove, not only for its deep dive into the soul of Korean herbal practices but also for the practical wisdom it offers. Grace generously shares an array of recipes, each a key to unlocking the magic of herbs in our daily lives. Her writing is a gentle, guiding light, making the profound knowledge of herbs accessible, meaningful, and joyfully easy to integrate into our lives.

I found myself utterly captivated by Grace Yoon's world, where every page turned is a step deeper into the heart of healing and heritage. This book is more than just a guide; it's a journey to the soul of Korean herbalism, rich with tradition, wisdom, and the vibrant tapestry of life itself. A must-have for any herbalist's library, it's a book I wholeheartedly recommend, a journey I'm grateful to have taken and one I know I'll return to time and again.

[Alicia Bayer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent book but not well suited for me personally. While I consider myself fairly knowledgeable about herbalism, I felt it was too vague for all but the most knowledgeable Korean herbalists. In some cases, names for plants were different from the names I know for them. In at least one case, a highly toxic plant was profiled (monkshood) and while it says to only use it under the supervision of an herbal practitioner, it is such a dangerous plant that I can’t see any justifiable reason to include it. Eat enough monkshood and death is instant. You can be poisoned by merely picking it without wearing gloves.

The book also wasn’t a good fit since I like to use plants that grow near me, and many of these don’t (though many are nearly worldwide, like burdock). I also didn’t feel that it was detailed or comprehensive enough for me to feel safe using it.

All that said, it’s a fascinating and beautiful book. I love that it is an Own Voices book, and it would make a great addition to an herbal or Korean library.

I read a temporary digital copy of this book for review.

[Ilana · Rating 5 out of 5]

An extensive collection of information about various aspects of the Korean traditional medicine and herbal traditions, it combines beautiful nature illustrations with rich content about plants, fruits and foods. Based on her family depository of knowledge in the field, American-Korean Grace Yoon shares, sometimes through stories and old legends, sometimes through recipes and philosophical considerations, a rich legacy that, at least at this level, can be adapted into the Western daily life and habits. A recommended read including for those interested in different take of Herbalism and traditional medicine. I was personally fascinated by the different legends and although I am definitely a supporter of classical medicine, I may try some teas and traditional vinegar recipes mentioned in the book, to only mention few parts that caught my interests.
Disclaimer: Book offered by the publisher in exchange for an honest review

[Laura B · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author shared her knowledge in traditional Korean herbalism and provided recipes for readers to try out. Some of them seemed easy to prepare, so these could be a fun experiment.

A word of caution: The author was not trained as an herbalist or medical practitioner. Please treat the information in the book more as family wisdom, and not medical advice.

The 4 “Sasang constitutions” section was disappointing. The descriptions were very short and generalised. I was unable to even guess which constitution I might be, so the information on which types of foods were more beneficial to each person became useless.

(I received a free review copy from NetGalley.)

[Dora Okeyo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book and would definitely consider getting a physical copy of it, because like the stacks of cookbooks you have in the house- this one goes a step and more beyond in understanding traditional herbs, aspects of nature and divinity and wholistic development that builds on your health and well being.
I am trying some recipes and can't wait to refer to it again.

Thanks Netgalley for the eARC.

[Mallee Stanley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an amazing find. Not only did the book contain both the health benefits and the medicinal value of the many plants found in Korea, but also included useful recipes. As many of these ingredients are available in Korean stores in Canada, this is a valuable resource for anyone who thrives on maintaining optimum health.

[Linn Delzer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Grace’s writing. This book contains a little bit of every thing including poetry and beautiful artwork. She explains things well without over explaining, providing direct yet careful information, which I appreciate. This is a book I will keep referencing during my practice in exploring herbal remedies.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations! I loved how the author organized the book by seasons. I also enjoyed the mix of information, stories, and recipes.

The one downside is the binding of the book. It’s very tight abc hard to hold open.

[Aisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is really beautiful how the author honors her ancestors and goes into detail about every single topic in the book it also feeds my soul which is detail obsessed, leaves nothing unanswered

[Cherie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book, the layout, the recipes, the illustrations, etc.