Reviewed by최연승대표원장
Why are herbal weight loss medicines more expensive than regular diet supplements?
Unlike mass-produced supplements that contain generic fat-burning ingredients, herbal medicine is a personalized therapeutic treatment. The cost reflects a tailored process involving constitutional analysis, assessment of metabolic state, and customized medicinal formulation designed specifically for each patient.
In the past, many focused solely on efficiency, but experience shows that because the causes of weight gain differ for everyone, a one-size-fits-all approach can lead to inconsistent results or side effects, such as insomnia and heart palpitations. While general supplements often use high doses of specific ingredients to forcibly increase metabolism, Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM) first investigates why the metabolism has decreased.
For instance, we distinguish whether the cause is 'Bi-heo' (Spleen Deficiency/脾虛), where weakened digestive function leads to low energy, or if it is caused by 'Dam-eum' (Phlegm-fluid/痰飮) and 'Eo-hyeol' (Blood Stasis/瘀血) obstructing circulation. If a patient suffers from Spleen Deficiency, using overly potent stimulants without supporting the body's energy can lead to rapid exhaustion. Therefore, a precise blend of ingredients that both bolster energy and promote metabolism is required.
Ultimately, the price is not just for the 'ingredients,' but for the professional 'prescription design' and 'individual compounding process' tailored to you. Just as wearing clothes that don't fit is uncomfortable, medication must be precisely aligned with your body's current state to be both safe and effective.