Q. I tend to overeat whenever I'm stressed. How does a Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM) clinic treat binge eating?

Many people experience the urge to eat excessively during stressful times, but from a TKM perspective, binge eating is often a signal of internal imbalance rather than mere greed for food. First, if you suffer from 'heart fire' (excessive emotional heat) causing chest tightness and anxiety, we focus on stabilizing the mind and spirit to suppress false hunger. Conversely, if you are in a state of 'Spleen Deficiency' (Bi-Heo, 脾虛), where digestive functions are weakened, your body may constantly crave sugar because energy metabolism is inefficient. In this case, the priority is to enhance digestive power to normalize nutrient absorption. Additionally, the accumulation of 'phlegm-fluid' (Dam-Eum, 痰飮) or 'blood stasis' (Eo-Hyeol, 瘀血) can lower metabolic efficiency, triggering food cravings. Clearing these metabolic waste products helps the body feel lighter and makes appetite control more manageable. Ultimately, the goal is not simply to tell you to 'endure' the hunger, but to identify why your body is seeking food and address those root causes. Rather than struggling alone, I recommend a personalized strategy based on your specific physiological state.