Q. Why do I experience heart palpitations or insomnia when taking herbal weight-loss medicine? Are these side effects?

From a physiological perspective, weight-loss herbal medicine acts like an accelerator for your body's 'engine,' prompting it to burn energy more rapidly. While this increase in heart rate manifests as 'vitality' for those with sufficient physical strength, it can be experienced as 'anxiety' or agitation for those with lower energy levels. In Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM), this is often viewed as a state of 'Spleen Deficiency' (脾虛), where the digestive system is too weak to produce sufficient energy to keep up with the external stimulation of the medicine. Furthermore, if there is a buildup of 'Phlegm-fluid' (痰陰)—metabolic waste—or 'Blood Stasis' (瘀血)—stagnant blood—circulation is hindered, making the body more sensitive to the herbal effects. It is important to understand that these reactions are not necessarily 'wrong,' but rather an indication that the current intensity may not be perfectly aligned with your constitution. By adjusting the composition of the medicinal herbs or modulating the dosage to fit your specific body type, you can adapt to the treatment more comfortably. Please do not try to endure these symptoms alone; we can fine-tune the prescription together to ensure a safe and effective weight loss journey.