Reviewed by최연승대표원장
If I receive diet herbal medicine at a Korean medicine clinic, how is it usually carried out? Please explain step by step.
You’ve tried dieting before, right? I have too. Usually the first 1–2 weeks are an adaptation period where your body gets used to the herbs. Many people feel lighter or notice their hands and feet becoming warmer. From weeks 3–4, appetite control sets in, bloating decreases, and weight changes begin. Over the next 2–3 months, the prescription is adjusted based on pulse diagnosis to improve your constitution. The focus is on preventing rebound weight gain, so while the process takes time, the results are reliable.
In Traditional Korean Medicine, obesity is not viewed simply as 'being overweight.' It is understood that Spleen deficiency (Pi Xu, 脾虛) impairs the digestion and absorption of food, leading to the accumulation of Phlegm-Dampness (Shi Tan, 濕痰) and eventually weight gain. We therefore follow three main stages.
1–2 weeks (Adaptation): During this period, the herbal formula helps eliminate waste and toxins as your body adjusts. Many patients feel lighter or notice improved bowel movements. It’s a time when you sense something has changed.
3–4 weeks (Active Weight Loss): The prescription shifts to strengthening Spleen function, resolving Phlegm-Dampness, and dispelling Blood Stasis (Yu Xue, 瘀血). Appetite becomes naturally regulated—especially cravings for sweets or fatty foods diminish—and visible changes in body circumference or edema reduction become apparent, even if the scale moves slowly.
1–3 months (Constitutional Improvement): The key here is preventing rebound weight gain. Rather than just losing weight, we aim to transform your constitution so your body resists regaining fat. Pulse diagnosis, tongue examination, and digestive status guide fine-tuning of the formula every visit. From clinical experience, skipping this step almost always leads to yo-yo dieting.
Of course, not everyone follows the same path. Patients with severe constipation, stress-induced binge eating, or hormonal issues receive tailored prescriptions. Early on, we recommend visits every 1–2 weeks; once stable, the interval can extend to 2–4 weeks. A personal consultation with pulse diagnosis can give you a more specific road map.