A Study on Application of Korean Medical Prescriptions Theory in Developing Transdermal Medicine and Korean Medical Cosmetic Preparation Using Oral Herbal Medicine

Objectives To identify whether Sovereign-Minister-Assistant-Courier (君臣佐使) Theory and Meridian Tropism (歸經) Theory of oral herbal medicine can be applied to trans-dermal medicine and whether pharmaceutical efficacy can be delivered to skin by Courier herb (使藥). Methods We reviewed previous studies related to Sovereign-Minister-Assistant-Courier Theory. And we examined whether prescription compositions based on Sovereign-Minister-Assistant-Courier Theory correspond with efficacy results of trans-dermal medicine experimentally identified. Results When Sovereign-Minister-Assistant-Courier Theory is applied to trans-dermal medicine, Courier herb act as delivering the effective components to the lesion penetrating skin barrier. And we identified that medicine absorbed through the digestive processes may not correspond with Courier herb applied topically. Conclusions We identified that Courier herb act as delivering the effective components to the lesion. But to strength evidences, additional studies on this action will be needed.