Reviewed by최연승대표원장
How does a 1-month diet program at a Korean medicine clinic work? I’m curious about the specific methods.
The 1-month program is typically divided into three phases: Week 1 is an adaptation phase where your body responds to the herbal medicine and you may feel lighter; Weeks 2–3 are the active regulation phase where appetite stabilizes and digestion improves; Week 4 is the stabilization phase where changed eating habits become ingrained. Though results vary by individual, many patients experience reduced bloating, normalized bowel movements, and noticeable physical changes.
For those considering a 1-month diet, I initially wondered, 'What can you really do in a month?' However, in Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM), the focus is not on rapid weight loss but on understanding 'why the body has become prone to gaining weight.' Most cases involve spleen deficiency (pi xu, 脾虛) — when the spleen’s function weakens, water metabolism slows and phlegm-dampness (tan yin, 痰飮) accumulates, making it difficult to lose weight. Thus, the 1-month process is approached in three stages.
Week 1 is 'adaptation and elimination.' Herbal medicine tonifies spleen qi while draining accumulated damp-phlegm (shi tan, 濕痰). During this time, many patients feel less heavy, digestion improves, and facial puffiness in the morning decreases. Feeling 'the body is changing' is more important than the number on the scale.
Weeks 2–3 are the 'regulation and stabilization' phase. Herbs that stabilize the appetite center are added, reducing post-meal drowsiness and late-night snacking caused by spleen deficiency. Those with blood stasis (yu xue, 瘀血) or qi stagnation (qi zhi, 氣滯) may feel warmer and experience relief from menstrual cramps or cold extremities. Weight loss here goes beyond the scale, leading to overall improved well-being.
Week 4 is the 'settling and maintenance' phase. Changed eating habits and metabolic patterns become habitual. Herbal doses are reduced, and lifestyle counseling is combined to help you self-regulate without yo-yo effects after the month. Although individual response rates vary, the emphasis is not on guaranteeing a specific amount of weight loss but on experiencing the body’s transformation process. Having made mistakes myself, I’ve learned that steady progress truly beats rapid results.