Heo Jun: physician of the people

Abstract

Heo Jun was a Korean physician during the Joseon Dynasty in the early seventeenth century. Among his many works is the Dongui Bogam which was a compendium of Eastern medicine up until that time. The encyclopedia was also one of the first attempts to improve accessibility to medicine and emphasize preventative care in Korean Medicine. Although he is not well-known outside of Asia, Heo can potentially serve as a role model to Western medical students.

Keywords: Dongui Bogam; Heo Jun; Korean medicine; eastern medicine; medical students; mirror of eastern medicine; traditional medicine.