In the period of Ancient Korea, they widely used botanical and animal pharmaceuticals in treating diseases. Among them were wormwood and garlic.

Data on wormwood and garlic are being told in a tale of Tangun about the formation of Ancient Korea (early 30th century B.C.-108 B.C.).

The number of medicinal materials was markedly increased in the period of the Three Kingdoms (early 3rd century B.C.-middle 7th century A.D.).

In the period of Koryo (918-1392), various medicinal materials including insam, musk and pine nuts were disseminated to neighboring countries. Particularly, Koryo insam spread to various countries of the world for its high medicinal value.

Koryo medicines manufactured in diverse methods have high effect on various diseases.

There are many historical records on the use of Koryo medicines. Methods of manufacturing Koryo medicines and prescriptions are recorded in detail on such old medical books as "Uibangryuchwi", "Hyangyakjipsongbang" and "Tonguibogam".

Today, Koryo medicine pharmaceutical factories in the DPRK are mass-producing Koryo medicines for the improvement of the people's health.