Kyung Hee University Research Team Publishes in International Journal of Korean Medicine on 'Tissue Regeneration and Restoration in Severe Frostbite Patients'

Professor Lee Sang-hoon’s research team at Kyung Hee University College of Korean Medicine (President Han Kyuntae) reported a successful case of tissue restoration in a patient with necrotic frostbite at risk of amputation through acupuncture and herbal medicine in the SCI(E)-level international journal 'EXPLORE' (IF=2.4). This report involved Director Park Heon-ju (Gwangju Jungang Korean Medicine Clinic) and researcher Ha Seo-jeong (PhD candidate) from Kyung Hee University College of Korean Medicine.

From the left, Ha Seo-jeong, Researcher at Kyung Hee University, Heon-ju Park, Director, Sang-hoon Lee, Professor [Image source=Kyung Hee University]

According to Kyung Hee University on the 29th, the research team reported a total of three cases. Over the past decade, the team treated more than 50 severe frostbite patients, selecting three severe frostbite cases that occurred during Himalayan climbing. The first case, Mr. A (then 45 years old, male), was diagnosed with frostbite on his ears and nose in the Himalayas and was told amputation was necessary. Having previously amputated fingers due to frostbite, mountaineer Mr. A chose Korean medicine treatment by mountaineer and Korean medicine doctor Park Heon-ju to avoid amputation of his ears and nose. As a result, most of the damaged tissue recovered within 53 days without amputation.

The second case, Mr. B (then 27 years old, male), developed severe frostbite on six toes after summiting Makalu in the Himalayas and was advised partial amputation. Following a recommendation from a mountaineer acquaintance, he underwent 78 days of acupuncture, moxibustion, bloodletting, and herbal medicine treatment, resulting in full restoration of his toes. Mr. B’s treatment story became a hot topic online, even sparking some fabrication controversies. In response, he personally appeared on YouTube to testify that everything from the accident to his current condition was true.

The third case, Mr. C (then 46 years old, male), also suffered toe frostbite in the Himalayas. Unlike the other patients, he started Korean medicine treatment early and fully restored all ten toes within 91 days. None of the three patients experienced side effects or sequelae from the Korean medicine treatment.

According to the research team’s report, the mechanism of Korean medicine treatment for frostbite involves acupuncture stimulating the release of endorphins and various neurotransmitters to reduce pain and inflammation, increasing blood flow to the damaged area to facilitate oxygen and nutrient supply. It also stimulates vascular endothelial growth factors to promote new blood vessel formation and tissue growth. Grain-sized moxibustion (miligu) improves circulation and accelerates wound healing and tissue recovery. Bloodletting therapy enhances local blood perfusion and analgesic effects. Herbal medicine, including cinnamon, improves blood circulation, and herbal ointments mainly composed of Angelica sinensis promote rapid wound healing and tissue regeneration. These combined effects without side effects contributed to tissue regeneration and restoration of necrotic areas.

Director Park Heon-ju, a former mountaineer who summited Cho Oyu (8,201m), the world’s sixth highest peak in 1997, and Everest (8,848m), the world’s highest peak in 2000, has treated over 50 severe frostbite patients in the past decade. The research team emphasized that this treatment could also be applied to burns, Raynaud’s syndrome, and other conditions involving tissue damage or blood flow disorders in distal areas. Professor Lee Sang-hoon stated, “Together with the research team, we plan to continue discovering, investigating, and publishing excellent but little-known clinical cases to promote in-depth research. This will contribute to developing and expanding the scope of Korean medicine treatment.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.