Do I have to exercise while taking herbal medicine for weight loss? Will I lose weight by taking the medicine alone?
Even if herbal medicine changes your weight, it does not replace exercise. If your fitness allows, add strength training and daily activity; if you have fatigue or edema, start at a low intensity suited to your condition.
Herbal medicine is not a replacement for food and exercise, but a prescription that may be considered as support based on the individual’s condition. Taking it alone does not maintain muscle mass and cardiovascular fitness, so plan walking and strength training within your capacity.
If digestion and energy are weak, as in pi deficiency, or your body feels heavy from phlegm-fluid retention, do not begin with high-intensity exercise; first organize eating, sleep, and light activity. Even with circulation discomfort suggestive of blood stasis, adjust intensity according to pain and recovery.
While taking herbal medicine, tell the prescribing clinic about existing medications and changes in blood pressure, heart rate, or other discomfort. Start with a feasible level such as 10–20 minutes of walking and increase only when severe fatigue does not occur the next day.
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