DonguiHub — The Hub of Donguibogam Knowledge
Home › Herbs › Acorn
Photograph of Quercus acutissima Carruth. (Acorn)
DonguiHub 편집팀 제작 (AI 생성, 회장 검수 후 적용) · DonguiHub

Acorn

도토리 (橡實) · Quercus acutissima Carruth.
Astringent herb Warm Bitter, astringent Large Intestine, Stomach
NatureWarm
TasteBitter, astringent
MeridiansLarge Intestine, Stomach
Part usedNut (fruit)
FamilyFagaceae
CategoryAstringent herb
Find by concern: Chronic diarrhea

Overview

Acorn is best known in Korea today as dotori-muk, the jelly made from its starch, but the Donguibogam records it first as a food-medicine for the digestive tract — thickening the intestines and stopping diarrhea. The text notes several oak species share the name and that acorns with a cap (橡殼) were also kept as a separate remedy.

In the Donguibogam

東醫
寶鑑
性溫, 味苦澁, 無毒. 主下痢. 厚腸胃, 肥健人, 澁腸止瀉, 充飢禦歉.
Source: Donguibogam, Tangaek-pyeon (Herbology volume)
TranslationIts nature is warm, its taste bitter and astringent, and it is non-toxic. It mainly treats diarrhea. It thickens the intestines and stomach, nourishes and strengthens the body, astringes the intestines to stop diarrhea, and fills hunger to guard against famine.

Traditional uses recorded in the Donguibogam

  • Astringes the intestines, stops diarrhea
  • Strengthens the digestive tract
  • Nourishes the body

Traditional applications recorded in the classical text

  • Chronic or lingering diarrhea
  • Weak digestion needing gentle astringing
  • Traditional famine food valued for its nutrition

Traditional preparation

Traditionally eaten as processed flour or jelly (dotori-muk) after leaching out the tannins; decoction of the dried nut 8–16g.

Cautions

Caution: Its astringent, tannin-rich nature can be constipating in excess; not suited to those already prone to hard, dry stool. Consult a professional.
Advertisement

Frequently asked questions

Is this the same acorn used to make dotori-muk?

Yes — the Donguibogam entry (橡實) covers the same acorn still processed into starch jelly today, and already records it as a food eaten to "fill hunger and guard against famine."

What did the Donguibogam say acorns were good for?

Primarily diarrhea: the text describes them as thickening the intestines and stomach and astringing the bowels to stop loose stool, alongside general nourishment.

Sources