Pharmacy Famous for Decoction

The Pothonggang Millim Pharmacy in Pothonggang District, Pyongyang, is famous for its good service of decoctions.

The pharmacy prescribes traditional Koryo medicines suited to the physical constitutions and symptoms of the patients through medical examination and consultation. And it prepares decoctions with an automated decocting machine and packs them according to treatment period.

According to consultant Jang Chol Hak, decoction, unlike powered medicines or pills, is a liquid which contains active ingredients to some extent. So it has the advantage of rapid absorption and curative effect and they can change the composition of prescription according to the patients’ symptoms.

Children with various diseases including chronic bronchitis have been treated with decoctions according to their physical constitutions and symptoms. And Ri Chong Jong, a 15-year-old girl, who was diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome, was cured after taking for a month decoctions the pharmacy prepared for her after consultation. Many others have benefited from the pharmacy’s decoctions.

The traditional decoctions it prepares, including Samulthang, Ryukmijihwangthang, Kwibithang and Sipjondaebothang, well-known tonics from olden times, are in high demand.