[Subway Stories] Traditional medicine's healing legacy lives on at Jegi

For centuries and continuing to present day, Koreans have utilized the medicinal properties of plants and animal-based natural sources in the field of medicine.

One such example is "ssanghwa cha," a medicinal herb tea that remains popular among Koreans despite its bitter taste, thanks to its reputation as a natural remedy for a cold or fatigue. This herbal beverage with a brown hue includes a variety of ingredients such as plant roots, grass, leaves and tree bark, which are not commonly found on dining tables.

Almost all of these seemingly inedible ingredients, including those from insects and animals, can be found in a street market in Jegi-dong near Jegi-dong Station on Seoul Subway Line No. 1.

The neighborhood exudes a traditional ambiance with its distinct, earthy aroma reminiscent of rich soil. With a significant elderly demographic, it is home to the nation's biggest traditional herbal medicine scene, while maintaining its agricultural heritage to this day.