Q. Whenever I'm stressed, I keep binge eating. I'm curious how Traditional Korean Medicine can help improve this.

In Traditional Korean Medicine, stress-induced binge eating is primarily attributed to liver qi stagnation (ganqi yujie). The liver governs emotional regulation and smooth flow of qi; when stress accumulates, liver qi becomes blocked, disrupting the appetite center. If prolonged, this leads to spleen deficiency (pi xu). A weakened spleen fails to properly digest food, producing phlegm-fluid (tan yin), which in turn stimulates false hunger, creating a vicious cycle. At our Baekrokdam Korean Medicine Clinic, we approach this in three stages: **Weeks 1–2: Liver qi soothing stage** – First, we release the constricted qi flow using herbs that promote liver qi circulation (e.g., bupleurum, white peony). Many patients report that their appetite calms down remarkably during this period, as if wondering why they ate so anxiously before. Individual differences exist. **Weeks 3–4: Spleen-strengthening stage** – As spleen deficiency resolves, digestion and absorption normalize. Since food is better digested, hunger becomes less urgent, and binge urges begin to diminish. Many also find relief from bloating and gas during this stage. **Weeks 5–2 months: Constitution adjustment stage** – With liver-spleen balance restored, we recommend constitution-specific herbal formulas or lifestyle habits. For those with strong phlegm tendencies, a lighter diet is advised; for those with significant liver stagnation, moderate aerobic exercise is encouraged. After this stage, many patients feel they no longer binge even under stress. Response time varies by individual constitution and severity. Some may experience a temporary 'adjustment phase' with renewed appetite. Herbal medicine does not eliminate binge urges directly but helps the body change its stress response mechanism.