The Medical Care and Dietary Practices of Ahn Jung-bok's Family in Gyeonggi Province in the Late 18th Century

Sunam Ahn-jeongbok was a leading scholar of the late Joseon Dynasty, who not only wrote the history book Dongsagangmok(東史綱目), but also the Imgwanjeongyo(臨官政要) for local officials. In this article, I wanted to explore his family’s medical and dietary practices through the various recipes handed down by the Ahn’s family. Joseon scholars considered the preservation of one’s body to be the highest form of filial piety. Ahn-jeongbok suffered from chest pains that caused him to cough up blood throughout his life. However, he was concerned about his wife’s health and that of his sickly children. An analysis of the recipes handed down to the Ahn-jeongbok’s family reveals the following. First, there are many recipes for porridge for the health of the elderly. Then there are recipes for medicinal liqueurs and teas with medicinal ingredients. In addition, there are porridge recipes using lotus flowers, bamboo, goji berries, turnips, and so on. As for medicinal liquor, there is a special liquor made from the flesh of a lamb, or known as the liquor of Taoist hermits. As for drinks, there were summer drinks with cinnamon and medicinal teas with plum and goji berries. Many of the prescriptions in the Ahn-jeongbok’s family collection are recipes for pills for longevity. Ahn-jeongbok’s family sought to maintain longevity and good health by taking pills made from special herbs and special recipes over time. Through this article, I hope to convey the desire for medical care and healthy food among Joseon scholars in the late 18th century.