Q. How should I take personalized herbal medicine for weight loss based on my constitution?

In Traditional Korean Medicine, diet herbal medicine is not simply a 'weight loss drug' but focuses on correcting constitutional imbalances. Different constitutions involve different mechanisms such as Pi deficiency (spleen weakness), Dam-eum (phlegm and fluid accumulation), or Eohyeol (blood stasis), leading to different prescriptions. For instance, Taeumin treatment regulates the spleen and lung to improve water metabolism, while Soeumin treatment strengthens the spleen and kidney to boost basal metabolism. Administration methods vary based on two main factors. First, the form of the medicine: decoctions are usually taken 2–3 times daily on an empty stomach 30 minutes before meals for better absorption, but those with sensitive stomachs or acid reflux should take them 1 hour after meals. Second, the timing is adjusted according to constitution: for example, Soyangin (heat-dominant) benefit from heat-clearing herbs taken before breakfast, while Soeumin (cold-dominant) take warming herbs after lunch or dinner. Crucially, a constitutional diagnosis must precede any prescription—there is no fixed 'this constitution equals this herb' rule. The current state (fatigue, digestion, menstrual cycle, etc.) always requires fine-tuning. Herbal medicine is typically taken in 2–4 week cycles, and combining it with dietary and lifestyle adjustments yields the best results. I always tell patients, 'Don't rely solely on herbal medicine to lose weight'; it is ultimately a process of helping the body restore its own balance.