Q. I'm an office worker with no time—can I still lose weight with herbal medicine alone, without changing my diet?

In Traditional Korean Medicine, weight gain is not viewed simply as a calorie issue but as an imbalance within the body. For example, conditions like Spleen Deficiency (biheo) or Phlegm-Fluid Retention (seupdam) can slow metabolism and trigger cravings. Herbal medicine helps address these constitutional issues by regulating appetite and boosting energy expenditure. However, relying solely on herbs has limitations. Early on, I made the mistake of trusting only the medicine while neglecting my diet—and it didn’t work well. While herbs can reduce appetite, they cannot fully control external calorie intake. For office workers, variables like late-night overeating after work or company dinners can interfere. Moreover, the effect varies by individual constitution and lifestyle. Some people see satisfying changes with herbs alone, but others achieve far more stable results when diet is also adjusted. Ultimately, it’s not about choosing between herbal medicine and dietary control—the synergy of using both is more realistic. If time is scarce, I recommend starting with small habits like reducing processed foods or making at least one meal protein-focused.