According to "Tangun mythology", the Korean ancestors had an understanding of medical value of such herbs as garlic and wormwood before the foundation of the state.

Old books, including "Haedongyoksa", say that songs depicting the shape of insam and its physiological and geographical characteristics were created and sung in the period of Koguryo Kingdom (B.C. 277-A.D. 668).

In the period of Koryo (918-1392), foxglove, matrimony vine and other medicinal herbs were cultivated. And insam was exported to neighboring countries on a large scale for its high pharmacological effect.

In the period of feudal Joson dynasty (1392-1910), Ro Jung Rye and other medical persons issued the book "Hyangyakjipsongbang" dealing with medical achievements gained in the treatment of diseases by use of Koryo medicines. Particularly, the creation of Hunminjongum (the Korean alphabet), the development of publishing and printing technologies and the activities of noted doctors like Ho Jun accelerated the development of folk remedy and the cultivation of medicinal herbs with the publication of medical books like "Onhaegugupbang".

According to a book "Rimwonsipryukji" edited in 1825, the cultivation of medicinal herbs was diversified with native kinds as the main. And medicinal herbs were processed in the methods of milling, steaming, drying, decocting and preserving with liquor or honey.

As seen above, the Korean people have developed the traditional Koryo medicine systemically while cultivating medicinal herbs from long ago.