Main ClinicRespiratory Conditions

CHRONIC COUGH · COMMON COLD · SORE THROAT

Chronic Cough · Common Cold · Pharyngitis

Have you had a cough that has not stopped for weeks, or does your throat always feel scratchy?

Like the stomach, the lungs are an organ system that directly meets the outside world and helps protect immunity. We care for respiratory health with treatments that help moisten and strengthen lungs that have become dry and weak.

+82-2-792-1904

Chronic Cough · Common Cold · Pharyngitis — **1904**Four generations
of Hoechundang care

POINT 01
Yunpye (lung-moistening, 潤肺) customized herbal medicine to moisten the lungs and replenish fluids
POINT 02
Cheongin Yukoe-hwan, developed with the know-how of the Department of Korean Internal Medicine for Respiratory Conditions at Kyung Hee University Korean Medicine Hospital, and Korean herbal cold medicine decocted daily in our clinic
POINT 03
Care is provided by Dr. Bongha Ryu, Honorary Director, a former presidential physician, and a father-and-son team of Korean internal medicine specialists

01SELF CHECK

Do You Have These Concerns?

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Tap the items that apply to you.

02WHY IT HAPPENS

Why Do Coughs, Colds, and Pharyngitis Keep Coming Back?

Along with the stomach, the lungs are an organ system that directly connects with the outside world, and they play an important role in the body’s immunity. Just as we obtain nutrients from food, we form qi and blood from the air we breathe. More people are experiencing respiratory conditions due to infection, air pollution, smoking, enclosed work environments, and aging.

01
Chronic Cough
Coughing is a defense mechanism that blocks harmful substances and clears secretions. A cough lasting 3 weeks or less is acute, while one lasting 8 weeks or longer is considered chronic cough. Major causes include postnasal drip syndrome, asthma, eosinophilic bronchitis, reflux esophagitis, chronic bronchitis caused by smoking, and bronchiectasis. Because it may also be another lung disease such as pneumonia or lung cancer, it is important to identify the cause.
02
Common Cold
This is a common acute condition in which a virus infects the upper respiratory tract, including the nose and throat. Cough, runny nose, nasal congestion, sneezing, mild fever, headache, and muscle aches appear 1–3 days after exposure, and the severity varies depending on age and immune status. In Korean medicine, colds are considered to worsen and become harder to treat over time, so early care is recommended.
03
Pharyngitis
Acute pharyngitis begins with a mild cough, phlegm, and low-grade fever, and it often occurs during seasonal changes, irregular routines, or when immunity drops from accumulated fatigue. If the timing for treatment is missed and inflammation recurs, it can become chronic pharyngitis. It may also become chronic when the bronchi are naturally weak or when postnasal drip or reflux esophagitis irritates the bronchi.
04
Korean Medicine View — Dryness and Dameum (Phlegm-Rheum)
The lungs and bronchi are very vulnerable to dry environments. When josa (dryness pathogen, 燥邪), a dry influence, enters the lungs, it can cause a dry cough, dry mouth and nose, and hoarseness. Phlegm is viewed as a type of dameum (phlegm-rheum, 痰飮), waste products that have not been eliminated.

03WHY TREAT EARLY

What Can Happen If It Is Left Alone?

When acute pharyngitis recurs several times and becomes chronic, the inflammation is often already deep and may not improve well with antibiotics. The bronchi may swell, making it hard to breathe and causing chest tightness, and appetite may decrease, leading to reduced weight and stamina. If left untreated without addressing the underlying issue, it may progress beyond bronchitis to more serious respiratory conditions such as bronchiectasis.

Symptoms that may appear together

Chronic Pharyngitis
Bronchial Swelling
Shortness of Breath · Chest Tightness
Decreased Appetite · Weight Loss
Accumulated Fatigue
Bronchitis
Bronchiectasis

PROCESS

How Care Proceeds

01
Consultation · Pulse Diagnosis
We listen carefully to your symptoms, lifestyle habits, and treatment history, then assess your condition through pulse and tongue diagnosis.
02
Detailed Testing
We check organ function, energy level, and autonomic nervous system balance with tests suited to your condition.
03
Pattern Identification · Diagnosis
We combine your test results and constitution to find the underlying cause of your symptoms.
04
1:1 Customized Prescription
We design the needed treatments for each person, including herbal medicine, acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, and moxibustion.
05
Progress Management
We monitor your progress through regular tests and consultations and adjust prescriptions as needed.

Helpful to bringIf you bring existing test results, such as blood tests, we can provide more thorough care.

04TREATMENT

Moisten the Lungs, Strengthen Immunity

The key is to create an internal environment that helps the body overcome viruses. We strengthen the lungs’ fundamental function to manage symptoms such as cough, phlegm, and throat irritation, while also supporting each person’s immunity.

Yunpye (Lung-Moistening, 潤肺) Customized Herbal Medicine

Prescriptions are based on constitution, symptom severity, duration of illness, and lifestyle habits. Yunpye treatment, which helps keep the lungs moist and supple and replenishes body fluids, is used as the foundation, and if waste products have accumulated significantly, herbs that support detoxification are added.

Cheongin Yukoe-hwan — Korean Herbal Throat Candy

This is a Korean herbal throat candy that combines the know-how of the Department of Korean Internal Medicine for Respiratory Conditions at Kyung Hee University Korean Medicine Hospital and the Herbal Medicine Research Institute with a modern interpretation. It is a specialized Korean herbal medicine based on Gamgil-tang (甘桔湯), a prescription used for tonsillitis, and contains propolis, known for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions, and menthol for a cooling sensation. It helps relieve cough and swollen throat due to the common cold, as well as cough, phlegm, and throat discomfort from chronic respiratory infections.

Because it dissolves in the mouth, it stays in the throat area longer
Because it is candy-shaped, children can also take it easily without resistance
Throat care for people who use their voice a lot for work, such as consultation, education, broadcasting, or music
For a foreign-body sensation in the throat in frequent smokers, or when fine dust makes the throat feel prickly

Korean Herbal Cold Medicine · Ssanghwa-tang (雙和湯)

Korean herbal cold medicine is used right away when you feel even slight cough, phlegm, runny nose, or nasal congestion, to help reduce symptoms. Based on experience accumulated since 1904, it contains herbs tailored to cough, phlegm, runny nose, sneezing, chills, fever, headache, and body aches. In our in-house Herbal Medicine Research Lab and decoction room, herbs are inspected and decocted daily for immediate prescription. When taken promptly, Ssanghwa-tang helps ease body aches and supports recovery from fatigue.

Tongbidan

This is a dissolvable Korean herbal troche based on Changyi-san (蒼耳散) from Donguibogam. It is used for people whose throat is also uncomfortable due to nasal congestion and rhinitis, and details are provided during care for rhinitis and sinusitis.

Acupuncture · Moxibustion · Pharmacopuncture Treatment

Depending on your current condition, we use acupuncture, moxibustion, and pharmacopuncture to reduce accompanying symptoms. At each visit, we review the treatments needed going forward and lifestyle habits that should be corrected, and help you make those changes. We also help regulate autonomic nervous system balance, which may have been disrupted by long-term discomfort, to help the mind feel more at ease.

Lifestyle Management (Seopsaeng)

Changing lifestyle habits along with treatment is important.

Drink water often to keep the mucous membranes moist — moist mucous membranes help filter bacteria and viruses well
Keep indoor humidity at 50–60% — being too humid or too dry is not good
Do not swallow phlegm; spit it out
Get enough deep sleep — this helps calm respiratory inflammation and supports melatonin secretion
Practice breathing in through the nose and out through the mouth
Reduce smoking, alcohol, and irritating foods
Organic aroma oil diffuser to help keep the lungs clear (home complementary therapy)

Most commonly, patients take herbal medicine while receiving acupuncture and moxibustion treatment 2–3 times per week.

CONSULTATION

Consider a consultation before symptoms become long-standing

If you bring your test results, we will review your current condition together.

+82-2-792-1904 KakaoTalk

05EXPERTISE

A father-and-son Korean internal medicine medical team is here together

Dr. Bongha Ryu, Honorary Director’s Respiratory Internal Medicine Clinic (chronic cough, phlegm, pharyngitis, rhinitis), 4th-generation family medical team

Presidential Physician · Twice Served as Director of Kyung Hee University Korean Medicine Hospital
Dr. Bongha Ryu, Honorary Director
- PhD in Korean Medicine Internal Medicine, Graduate School of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University
- Head Professor of Gastroenterology, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University
- Twice Served as Director of Kyung Hee University Korean Medicine Hospital, Kyung Hee Medical Center
- Former Presidential Physician for President Lee Myung-bak
Digestive SystemRespiratory SystemFatigue · Tonic Herbal Medicine
4th-Generation Korean Medicine Doctor · Korean Medicine Internal Medicine Specialist
Dr. Hansung Ryu, Chief Director
- Specialist Training, Korean Medicine Cancer Center, Kyung Hee University Korean Medicine Hospital at Gangdong
- Training at a Harvard Medical School-affiliated hospital (Joslin Diabetes Center)
- Training at the Block Center (Integrative Cancer Center, USA)
- Researcher in the Development of Korean Medicine Standard Clinical Practice Guidelines for Cancer Symptom Relief
SkinDigestive SystemDiabetes · MetabolismConstitutional Immunity & CancerPain · Traffic Accidents

Dr. Bongha Ryu, Honorary Director, served twice as Director of Kyung Hee University Korean Medicine Hospital and served as a presidential physician.
All family medical team members are from Kyung Hee University Korean Medicine Hospital, and a father-and-son team of Korean internal medicine specialists provides care together.
Dr. Hansung Ryu, Chief Director, draws on his training experience at a Harvard Medical School-affiliated research center to provide care that harmonizes traditional Korean medicine and modern medicine.
During his time at Kyung Hee University Korean Medicine Hospital, Dr. Bongha Ryu, Honorary Director, published about 200 or more research papers with the digestive system and tonification clinic teams.

Related research

J East Asian Soc Diet Life (original notation: J Ease Asican Soc Diet Life)2019
Effects of a compound herbal extract (SEC-33) on respiratory immunity, dietary intake, and growth and development in thin children
Kijun Kim, Junseok Lee, Bongha Ryu, et al.
In a study of 67 thin children aged 2–5 with chronic rhinitis and frequent colds (4 or more times per year), a compound herbal extract containing ulmus root bark, hawthorn, atractylodes, peppermint, astragalus, and other herbs was administered. The study reported that the duration of respiratory infection symptoms decreased, protein and vegetable intake increased, and both the amount and quality of meals improved.

disclaimers.paper

WHY HOECHUNDANG

Why Choose Hoechundang Kyunghee Ryu Korean Medicine Clinic

01
For 4 Generations Since 1904
For 4 generations, we have carried on Hoechundang’s treatment principle of seeing the stomach and intestines as the foundation of health.
02
Family Medical Team from Kyung Hee University Korean Medicine Hospital
Dr. Bongha Ryu, Honorary Director, who twice served as director of Kyung Hee University Korean Medicine Hospital and as a presidential physician; Dr. Hansung Ryu, Chief Director, a Korean medicine internal medicine specialist; and Dr. Seungwon Baek, Director, first author of an SCI-level paper on women’s health, provide care together.
03
Prepared In-House at Our Herbal Medicine Research Lab
Based on the research of our affiliated Herbal Medicine Research Institute, we prepare prescriptions in-house and use verified herbal ingredients at a level supplied to Kyung Hee University Korean Medicine Hospital.
04
15 Acupuncture and Moxibustion Treatment Rooms
We expanded our treatment rooms so patients can receive a variety of treatments, such as acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, Cupping, large moxibustion, radiofrequency, thermal dome therapy, Chuna Manual Therapy, and traction therapy, with minimal waiting.

06FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

QHow long should a cough last before I seek care?

A cough lasting 3 weeks or less is considered acute, while one lasting 8 weeks or longer is considered chronic cough. Healthy people may improve quickly, but if it does not get better over time, it is important to identify the cause. It may be another lung disease such as pneumonia or lung cancer, so if you have test results, please bring them with you.

QCan I come in at the early stage of a cold?

In Korean medicine, colds are considered to worsen and become harder to treat over time. We recommend receiving care and taking Korean herbal cold medicine promptly when you feel even slight cough, phlegm, runny nose, or nasal congestion.

QHow is this different from steroid treatment?

Steroids suppress an overactive immune response and quickly calm inflammation, but with long-term use, side effects and recurrence require caution. Korean medicine treatment focuses on strengthening each person’s immunity and lung function. Please be sure to tell us at your visit about any medications you are using.

QCan children take Cheongin Yukoe-hwan?

Because it is candy-shaped, children can also take it easily without resistance, and the whole family often uses it. Please follow the medical team’s guidance for dosing appropriate to age and condition.

QHow should I manage this at home?

Drink water often, keep indoor humidity at 50–60%, and get enough sleep. It is better not to swallow phlegm, but to spit it out.

CONSULTATION

Consider a consultation before symptoms become long-standing

If you bring your test results, we will review your current condition together.

+82-2-792-1904 KakaoTalk

RESERVATION