Traditional Korean Medicine Makes Bold Claims, but Can It Be Trusted?

Walk half a block from Jegi-dong station in northeastern Seoul, and a massive traditional gate comes into sight. Beyond it, stores after stores sell mysterious ingredients out of big plastic bags. Shopkeepers dust the merchandise—mostly dried plant materials—in the open, sending particles flying in the air. Some corners are vaguely reminiscent of a butcher shop, with different animal parts—bear gallbladder, gutted geckos, and dried frogs—on display. This is Yangnyeong Market, [http://korean.vi