I am an editorial writer at The Korea Times, focusing on foreign policy, North Korea and domestic politics. My key areas of interest include North Korea, foreign interference in elections, election integrity, cyberattacks and human rights. Prior to joining the Editorial Board, I served as both Politics Desk editor and Culture Desk editor. During my career, I have reported on the Presidential Office under the Lee Myung-bak administration, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Assembly.
Interest in natural remedies increasing
By Kang Hyun-kyung
Cho Yong-tae, a farmer growing Honghwa (safflower) in the small northeastern city of Uiseong, is recently enjoying a business boom.
The 31-year-old says this reflects people’s greater interest in functional foods and natural remedies on recently increased media coverage of the benefits of such natural foodstuffs.
“Over the past month or so, my revenue grew about 20 percent. I’ve got more phone calls from consumers who want to buy products made with safflower seeds,” Cho said. “The sharp rise in interest came after cable TV broadcast a program telling of their effects on health,” Cho said.
In the program, several people, who suffered from arthritis or osteoporosis, said that their regular intake of the products cured their diseases. Products made with safflower seeds were said to be effective in treating diseases associated with blood vessel problems.
“Safflower growers experienced a sharp revenue growth years ago following similar media coverage. At that time the popularity of the foods didn’t last though,” Cho said.
It’s different this time, he said. “Phone inquiries from consumers are flowing in. I think the popularity will continue for a while.”
Kim Chang-gil, research director of the Korea Rural Economic Institute, said, “It’s obvious that demand for natural or functional products is growing. People look at natural remedies as they are increasingly awakening to the benefits of plants,” he said.
A government-commissioned report released in 2011 showed that demand for natural and functional products, such as safflower seeds powder and tablets, continued to rise since 2000, with their sales increasing an average 6.7 percent from 2004 to 2008.
Chorok Maeul, a franchise selling natural and functional products, said its sales grew 30 percent this year compared to two years ago. In 2011, it had 263 stores nationwide, but as of June 2013 it increased to 634.
Some doctors, however, warn against blind faith in the efficacy of such products.
Lee Seung-hoon, a dentist, said, “One day I was asked if extract from boiled corn would benefit patients with gum disease. I have no idea whether this is true or not as there is no scientific research about it,” Lee said.
He said some patients visit him after applying such traditional alternative treatments to treat gum disease to no avail.
“The problem is that they come too late after losing the right timing to treat their disease,” Lee said.
The dentist said unproven natural remedies could leave patients vulnerable to various side-effects.
“People in the medical industry test new medical substances numerous times on animals to see the safety and side-effects of a certain drug or medicine before they are released,” he said.
“Some natural remedies lack such a testing period. It’s safe that patients use natural remedies that are tested, such as xylitol, which is widely used in toothpaste, or other products aimed at treating gum disease.”