Clinical Study of Korean Medicine Treatment with Boheo-tang-gagambang for Ovarian Cyst: 3 Cases Report

Hyun-Jeong Jo; Yu-Jin Kim; Ji-Yeon Lee; Jo, Hyun-Jeong; Kim, Yu-Jin; Lee, Ji-Yeon

doi:10.13048/jkm.25045

JKM > Volume 46(3); 2025 > Article

Jo, Kim, and Lee: Clinical Study of Korean Medicine Treatment with Boheo-tang-gagambang for Ovarian Cyst: 3 Cases Report

Case Report

The Journal of Korean Medicine 2025; 46(3): 199-209.

Published online: September 1, 2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.13048/jkm.25045

Clinical Study of Korean Medicine Treatment with Boheo-tang-gagambang for Ovarian Cyst: 3 Cases Report

Hyun-Jeong Jo

, Yu-Jin Kim

, Ji-Yeon Lee^*

Dept. of Korean Medicine Obstetrics & Gynecology, College of Korean Medicine, Daejeon University

Correspondence to: Ji-Yeon Lee, Dept. of Korean Medicine Obstetrics & Gynecology, Daejeon Korean Medicine Hospital of Dae-jeon University, 75 Daeduk-daero 176 beon-gil, Seo-gu, Daejeon. 35235, Republic of Korea, Tel: +82-42-470-9139, E-mail: jyounl@daum.net

Received August 1, 2025 Revised August 19, 2025 Accepted August 20, 2025

Abstract

Objectives

Ovarian cysts are frequently observed in women of reproductive age and can be accompanied by symptoms such as pelvic discomfort, urinary issues, or menstrual irregularities. While most cases are managed conservatively, some may require active treatment depending on symptom severity or clinical course. In traditional Korean medicine (TKM), ovarian cysts are understood to arise from Qi and Blood stagnation, along with internal dampness and phlegm accumulation. This study reports three cases treated with Boheo-tang-gagambang, a modified herbal formula, as part of an integrative TKM approach.

Methods

Three patients diagnosed with ovarian cysts via radiology were treated at a TKM outpatient clinic. Each patient received an individualized herbal prescription based on Boheo-tang, supplemented with acupuncture and adjunctive herbal remedies tailored to their symptoms. Outcomes were evaluated based on symptom changes and follow-up imaging.

Results

All patients showed complete resolution of ovarian cysts on follow-up ultrasonography. Symptoms such as lower abdominal pain, urinary discomfort, and frequency also improved markedly. No adverse events were reported during the course of treatment.

Conclusion

Boheo-tang-gagambang, in combination with integrative Korean medicine therapies, may offer a safe and potentially effective treatment option for non-neoplastic ovarian cysts. These cases suggest the clinical utility of TKM-based interventions, particularly when seeking alternatives to conventional conservative management. Further clinical studies are needed to validate these findings.

Keywords: Ovarian cysts, Boheo-tang-gagambang, Korean traditional medicine, Herbal medicine, Case report

Table 1

Prescription of Boheo-tang-gagambang

Herbal name	Herbal medicine	Amount (g)
黃芪	Astragali Radix	8
白朮	Atractylodis Rhizoma Alba	6
當歸	Angelicae Gigantis Radix	6
川芎	Cnidii Rhizoma	6
鷄血藤	Spatholobi Caulis	6
狗脊	Cibotii Rhizoma	6
五靈脂	Trogopterorum Faeces	6
澤蘭	Lycopi Herba	6
土茯苓	Smilacis Rhizoma	6
蒲黃	Typhae Pollen	6
陳皮	Citri Unshius Pericarpium	4
甘草	Glycyrrhizae Radix Rhizoma	4
桃仁	Persicae Semen	4
杜沖	Eucommiae Cortex	4
木瓜	Chaenomelis Fructus	4
白茯苓	Poria Sclerotium	4
砂仁	Amomi Fructus	4
續斷	Dipsaci Radix	4
神麴	Massa Medicata Fermentata	4
牛膝	Achyranthis Radix	4
香附子	Cyperi Rhizoma	4
玄胡索	Corydalis Tube	4
紅花	Carthami Flos	4
乾薑	Zingiberis Rhizoma	2
桂枝	Cinnamomi Ramulus	2
麥門冬	Liriopis Tuber	2
黃芩	Scutellariae Radix	1

Table 2

Progress and Treatment of Case 1

Visit (date)	Ovarian cyst	Progress(VRS^*)			Treatment
Visit (date)	Ovarian cyst	Urination pain	Feeling of residual urine	Vulvar pruritus	Treatment
1(09.10)	4cm	2	2	2	BTG^†+ATx^‡
2(09.17)		1	1	1	BTG +ATx
3(09.24)		0	0	0	BTG +ATx
4(09.28)		0	0	1	BTG+ATx
5(10.01)		0	0	1	BTG +ATx
6(10.05)		1	0	0	BTG +ATx
7(10.08)		2	0	0	BTG +ATx
8(10.12)		2	0	0	OS^§+ATx
9(10.19)		1	0	0	ATx
10(10.26)		1	0	0	ATx
11(10.29)	-	1	0	0

* VRS : Verbal rating scale; 0(no pain), 1(mild pain, no analgesic medication is required), 2(moderate pain, analgesic medication is required), 3(severe pain, not able to perform any activity, no effect on analgesic medication),

† BTG : Boheo-tang-gagambang,

‡ ATx : Acupuncture treatment,

§ OS : Orim-san. The shaded areas in the table indicate the days when new medications were prescribed.

Table 3

Progress and Treatment of Case 2

Visit (date)	Ovarian cyst	Progress(VRS^*)		Treatment
Visit (date)	Ovarian cyst	Urination pain	Frequent Urination	Treatment
1(12.08)	5cm↑	2	2	BTG^†+GD^‡+ATx^§
2(12.09)		2	2	BTG+GD+ATx
3(12.10)		2	2	BTG+GD+ATx
4(12.14)		1	2	BTG+GD+ATx
5(12.17)		0	1	BTG+GD+ATx
6(02.28)		0	0	ATx
7(04.29)	-	0	0

† BTG : Boheo-tang-gagambang,

‡ GD : Gyejibokryeong-gadaehwang,

§ ATx : Acupuncture treatment. The shaded areas in the table indicate the days when new medications were prescribed.

Table 4

Progress and Treatment of Case 3

Visit (date)	Ovarian cyst	Progress(VRS^*)		Treatment
Visit (date)	Ovarian cyst	Abdominal pain	Abdominal Tenderness	Treatment
1(07.26)	3.5–4cm	2	2	BTG^†+ATx^‡
2(07.31)		0	0	BTG+ATx
3(08.03)		0	0	BTG+ATx
4(08.05)		0	1	GGB^§+ BTG+ATx
5(08.07)		0	0	GGB+ BTG+ATx
6(08.10)		1	0	GGB+ATx
7(08.12)		1	0	GGB+ATx
8(08.17)		0	0	GGB+ATx
9(08.19)	-

† BTG : Boheo-tang-gagambang,

‡ ATx : Acupuncture treatment,

§ GGB : Gunchilgyebok-Jung. The shaded areas in the table indicate the days when new medications were prescribed.

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