Reviewed by최연승대표원장
How does a one-month diet program at a Korean medicine clinic work? Is it just taking medicine and that's it?
If you often have facial or body swelling in the morning, it may indicate 'dam-eum' (phlegm-fluid retention) where water metabolism is impaired. If you feel tired and bloated after meals, a 'bi-heo' (spleen deficiency) tendency may be present, weakening digestion and promoting fat storage. If fat accumulates mainly on the lower abdomen and thighs and is hard to lose, 'eo-hyeol' (blood stasis) or poor qi-blood circulation could be the cause. If you experience poor sleep or frequent stress, 'gan-ul' (liver depression) may disrupt appetite regulation. If any of these apply, simple calorie restriction alone is unlikely to be effective; a combination of herbal medicine and lifestyle adjustments is needed.
A one-month period is the minimum cycle for the body to sense and adapt to change. In Traditional Korean Medicine, the focus is on why some people lose weight easily while others do not, even on the same diet — the difference lies in the underlying cause. The most common patterns are as follows:
First, 'dam-eum' (痰飮, phlegm-fluid retention) — a state where excess fluid and metabolic waste accumulate in the body. In such cases, morning swelling persists, and sweating does not easily reduce weight. Herbal medicine that regulates water metabolism can help reduce swelling and naturally lower body weight.
Second, 'bi-heo' (脾虛, spleen deficiency) — weak spleen function impairs digestion and absorption, converting food energy into fat instead. Fasting or high-protein diets can backfire here. The key is to tonify the spleen with herbal medicine and adopt an easily digestible diet.
Third, 'eo-hyeol' (瘀血, blood stasis) — poor blood circulation tends to cause fat to clump in areas like the lower abdomen, thighs, and buttocks. If the fat feels hard and stubborn, blood stasis should be considered. Herbal medicine to improve blood flow and acupuncture can be helpful.
Finally, 'gan-ul' (肝鬱, liver depression) — stress-induced obesity. When liver function is suppressed by stress, appetite-regulating hormones become imbalanced, leading to late-night eating or binge cravings. In this case, calming herbal medicine and first restoring daily rhythms are prioritized.
Within one month, we can identify which cause predominates and tailor herbal medicine and lifestyle guidance accordingly. I was initially skeptical about how much weight could be lost in a month with herbal medicine, but when the root cause is correctly addressed, the results are much better. Direction matters more than duration. I recommend checking your body’s condition before starting a diet, and we can discuss it in detail during a consultation.