1972: the birth of one formula
Dr. Seo Hyo-seok entered Kyung Hee University College of Korean Medicine in 1966 as the top-of-class admission. In clinical practice he kept observing the same pattern: rhinitis, asthma, and atopic dermatitis — although Western medicine assigns them to different organs — all point, in Korean medicine, to an imbalance in the lung as a system.
In 1972 he combined two classical principles from the Huangdi Neijing — the lung governs qi and respiration, opening at the nose, and the lung governs the skin — and formulated Pyunkang-Hwan around five core herbs (Platycodon, Schisandra, Ophiopogon, Mulberry-bark, Aster) and fifteen supporting botanicals. Pyunkang Korean Medicine Hospital opened in Seoul in 1998, now operates six clinics across Korea, and has accumulated 160,000+ users (2014 figure).
Why "clearing the lungs"
Korean medicine doesn't treat the lung as a single respiratory organ — it sees it as the body's first interface with the outside world. Air, dust, allergens, second-hand smoke, lingering colds — all leave residual phlegm, heat, and stagnation in the lung over time. As that residue accumulates, the airway, the skin, and immune signalling all start to react.
"Clearing the lung" is not the Western idea of antibacterial action. It refers to gently dissolving accumulated phlegm-damp, heat, and stagnation so that mucosal moisture, airway reactivity, and overall immune tone can return to balance. This takes time — Dr. Seo's clinic recommends 3 months as the minimum cycle, with most users reporting noticeable change between weeks 6 and 12.
20+ botanicals, one daily dose
Pyunkang-Hwan contains 20+ traditional Korean botanicals. The five core ingredients are Platycodon (lung-opening, throat-soothing), Schisandra (qi-consolidating, fluid-restoring), Ophiopogon (yin-nourishing, lung-moistening), Mulberry-bark (lung-cooling, breath-easing), and Aster (cough-soothing, phlegm-resolving). The 15 supporting herbs aid digestion, harmonise, and temper.
Standard adult dose is 5 capsules twice daily, with warm water. We recommend a minimum 3-month observation cycle.
Korean GMP factory · per-batch testing
Pyunkang-Hwan is manufactured in a Korean GMP-certified facility. Every batch of incoming raw material is sent to a Korean national-accredited lab for heavy-metal screening (lead, cadmium, mercury, arsenic) and microbial testing.
Finished product is sent to SGS (third party) for active-compound quantification. Each bottle is printed with a batch number — customers can email [email protected] to request that batch's full test report.
From Korea to 40+ countries
Pyunkang Korean Medicine Hospital operates 6 clinics across Korea (Seoul Seocho main branch, Myeongdong, Sanbon, Ansan, Daegu, Busan). International service is centralised through the Pyunkang-Hwan Global Service Center in New York (established 2014), currently serving 40+ countries with 160,000+ accumulated users (2014 figure).
In the US market, Pyunkang-Hwan is a traditional food supplement — not a drug, and we make no claim to treat any disease. We focus communication on Korean medicine theory, the rationale behind clearing the lungs, and long-term user feedback — never on medical efficacy claims. This has been the brand's consistent position for 50 years.
Recognitions · 9 government & institutional awards
Pyunkang Korean Medicine Hospital and Dr. Seo have accumulated official recognitions spanning Korean government ministry awards, international medical conference honours, and official documents from the US Congress and the New York State Assembly. All are publicly verifiable factual endorsements.
- 2025 · PBS US public television feature — “Lung Health · The Korean Way,” broadcast nationally in November 2025.
- 2025 · Letter of Recognition from US Senator Andy Kim (New Jersey, the first Korean American US Senator).
- 2022 · Korean National Citizen Award · Medical Development category.
- 2022 · New York State Assembly Citation (presented in person by NY State Assemblyman Ron Kim).
- 2021 · Medical Asia · Korean Medicine Globalisation Contribution Award.
- 2019 · Republic of Korea Challenge Festival · Distinguished Recognition.
- 2017 · Korean Ministry of Food & Drug Safety Award (Korea's highest pharmaceutical regulator).
- 2015 · Medical Asia Minister of Health & Welfare Award.
- 2011–2025 · Chosun Ilbo annual “Quality Satisfaction Award” (Korean Medicine Hospital category) for 15 consecutive years — the only 15-year streak for this award in Korea.
