Reviewed by최연승대표원장
I can't fall asleep because I keep craving late-night snacks. Is there a way to manage this through Traditional Korean Medicine?
This is often not a matter of willpower, but a sign of disrupted bodily rhythms. In Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM), this is viewed as an imbalance of Qi and Blood, often involving a link between gastrointestinal dysfunction and psychological hunger. Rather than forced suppression, we focus on gradually adjusting meal times and using herbal prescriptions to normalize metabolism and naturally regulate appetite.
Many people struggle with the cycle of late-night cravings, often feeling frustrated when they cannot resist. From a TKM perspective, this is frequently caused by the accumulation of 'Dam-eum' (痰飮, phlegm-fluid retention/metabolic waste) which stagnates metabolism, or 'Bi-heo' (脾虛, Spleen Deficiency). When Spleen function is weakened, nutrient absorption becomes inefficient, leading the brain to signal 'false hunger.'
At Baekrokdam, we manage this through a structured three-stage approach:
1. [Initial 1-2 Weeks: Adaptation Phase] We begin by stabilizing irregular meal times. This phase is designed to restore the gastrointestinal rhythm and help you distinguish between actual hunger and psychological cravings.
2. [Mid-term 3-4 Weeks: Regulation Phase] We focus on removing 'Eo-hyeol' (瘀血, blood stasis) and boosting overall energy (Qi). This ensures that energy levels are maintained throughout the day, which naturally reduces the intense craving for late-night snacks.
3. [Stabilization Phase: After 1 Month: Maintenance Phase] At this stage, the scheduled eating pattern becomes a natural habit. The goal is to develop the body's innate ability to regulate food intake without feeling overly restricted.
Strictly starving yourself can lead to rebound binge eating. The fastest route to recovery is to first identify which part of your body's internal balance is disrupted. We invite you to visit our clinic for a personalized consultation.